Abstract
Most commonly, pet dogs suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) diseases due to careless eating behaviors, such as eating food other than dog food; excess or insufficient nutrient intake of food leading to malnutrition, which could be harmful to dogs; a lack of digestive enzymes; food intolerance or allergies; infections; and/or breed-related hypersensitivities. Probiotics are live microorganisms that deliver health benefits to the host when administrated in an adequate amount. The possible mechanism behind probiotics’ beneficial effects could be their positive regulation of the host’s intestinal microbiota. Probiotics are reported to have therapeutic properties against canine GI and other diseases. The most suitable dosages and applications of probiotics have not been evaluated extensively. The present review summarizes current knowledge regarding the benefits of probiotics and the changes in canine microbiota during probiotic interventions. This literature review provides clinical evidence for probiotics’ beneficial effects in preventing or treating canine ill-health conditions. Based on current knowledge, subsequent researchers could develop or improve probiotics-based canine pharmacological products.
Highlights
Companion dogs need nutritional care to maintain good health [1]
The study results suggested the beneficial effects of E. faecium NCIB 10415 in inhibiting the pathogenic Clostridium spp., the effects of probiotics should be evaluated with caution [41] (Table 1)
The study results showed that probiotic supplementation orally for 14 or 28 days did not increase the vaginal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the healthy dogs [44]
Summary
Companion dogs need nutritional care to maintain good health [1]. Dogs are fed with foods supplemented with appropriate nutrients such as choline, vitamins (E, B5, B3, B2, B1, K, B6, A, B9, B12, D), and minerals (calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, etc.) in addition to the dietary components, such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fibers [1]. Even if companion animals are fed with nutritionally balanced diets to maintain good health, any differences in their normal microbiota can facilitate illness upon exposure to harmful environmental influences and pathogens [3,4]. The term “probiotics” refers to live microbes (isolated from different sources, such as gut commensals, fermented foods, and any other source) that have been characterized and evidenced in adequate controlled studies to have a health beneficial effect, and their safety has been verified. Dead microbes, and microbial products exhibit health beneficial effects, they should not be considered as probiotics [9]. Probiotic supplementation aids in maintaining gut health by preventing or controlling pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract and promoting the population of favorable gastrointestinal tract microflora. Blinded controlled clinical trials (published from 1998 to February 2021) that were published with details such as a probiotic name, probiotic dose (CFU), and the details of animals used in the study were selected manually and used to prepare the manuscript
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