Doggy's Digest

Doggy’s Digest was started with the goal of helping canine owners understand how probiotics can help dogs live a much healthier and happier life.

Microorganisms such as bacteria inhabit every part of the universe. Most of them are harmful, and disease causing. There is also a bunch of bacteria that is beneficial to human beings and animals. Such bacteria inhabit the GI and help in the food digestion and metabolism of some essential vitamins. Changes in medication, diet, stress or illness can upset the bacterial balance in the colon causing abdominal upsets that include gas production and other major problems such as diarrhea. Having the right bacterial balance helps your dog to make better use of food and goes a long way in improving abdominal health.

Probiotics also known as direct-fed microbial refers to a group of beneficial bacteria that is incorporated in the diets through foods, and they contain live cultures. Probiotics can either be supplied in liquid or powdered forms. The microorganisms that form probiotics inhabit the gastrointestinal tracts of people and animals. When these probiotics are supplemented in the diets, they are thought to colonize the gastrointestinal tract together with other beneficial bacteria species.

Probiotics Are Very Essential for Their Role in Maintaining the GI Health.

Recent studies show that these food components carry more benefits when consumed by both humans and animals. Probiotics have been reported to reduce cases of inflammatory cytokines and boosting the immune system. Some probiotic species have been evaluated for dogs, cats, and other animals and include multiple species of lactobacillus, enterococcus, streptococcus and bifidobacterium. These bacteria are crucial in maintaining the balance of natural flora found in the gut as well as promoting the health of the dog.

Considerations When Shopping for Probiotics

For probiotic bacteria to be useful, it must survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach and small intestines of the dogs so that it can reach and colonize the colon. One technique that ensures this is achieved is by taking large amounts of the beneficial bacteria. As these bacteria pass through the stomach and small intestines, some are eliminated by the acids while others thrive to reach the colon. The quantity of live probiotic bacteria is measured as the number of colonies f