What are probiotics?

Probiotics are bacterial organisms that reside within the gastrointestinal system, primarily in the large intestines. The intestines are full of bacteria, good ones (probiotics) and bad ones (like E. coli and Salmonella).

The probiotics help keep the numbers of the bad bacteria low and keep the inside of the gastrointestinal system healthy. It is important that the balance of bacteria remains tipped to the "good" side to prevent digestive upset, but also to keep the entire body healthy. When something goes wrong inside the intestines, the bad bugs outgrow the good bugs and these bad bugs are shed in the stool, exposing other pets (and people) in the household to these pathogenic organisms.

There have been research studies to identify the organisms that reside within the intestines. Dogs have very similar populations of bacteria to you and I. Cats, always needing to be different, have been resistant to having their bacteria identified. Even in cultures taken directly from the intestines, bacteria have not been grown.

Feeding a diet, like Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul, that contains added probiotics may help prevent digestive upset in sensitive dogs. The addition of these organisms also promotes overall good health by keeping the immune system strong.