Bacillus coagulans (Probiotic)
B. coagulans is a friendly bacteria shown to reduce harmful bacteria that commonly cause diarrhoea. This strain of probiotic contributes to better gut health as well as curbing foul-smelling wind from your pup!
In this study, dogs supplemented with B. coagulans also showed greatly improved protein, fat, and energy levels in the gut*. This suggests that it may have a role in helping pups to absorb more nutrients from the food they eat.
*Acuff, H. and Aldrich, C. (2021). Evaluation of graded levels of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 on apparent nutrient digestibility, stool quality, and intestinal health indicators in healthy adult dogs. Journal of Animal Science, 99(5).
Enterococcus faecium (Probiotic)
E.faecium is another friendly bacteria that helps to suppress the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut.
This study shows dogs fed this probiotic strain as a supplement were seen to have decreased gut levels of harmful staphylococcal bacteria (which can cause many different types of infections)*. It was also shown to significantly reduce levels of harmful Pseudomonas-like bacteria*.
*Marciňáková, M., Simonová, M., Strompfová, V. and Lauková, A., 2006. Oral application of Enterococcus faecium strain EE3 in healthy dogs. Folia Microbiologica, 51(3), pp.239-242.
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
FOS is a food source for friendly bacteria, helping them to grow and overpopulate amongst 'bad' bacteria, helping to positively alter your pup's gut eco-system.
In this study, pups supplemented with FOS saw increased numbers of gut-friendly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations (which manage yeast, support the immune system, prevent anxiety and reduce stress). FOS supplementation was also shown to increase short-chain fatty acids (a source of energy for cells), which help to keep the gut healthy*.
*Swanson, K., Grieshop, C., Flickinger, E., Bauer, L., Chow, J., Wolf, B., Garleb, K. and Fahey, G. (2002). Fructooligosaccharides and Lactobacillus acidophilus Modify Gut Microbial Populations, Total Tract Nutrient Digestibilities and Fecal Protein Catabolite Concentrations in Healthy Adult Dogs. The Journal of Nutrition, 132(12), pp.3721-3731.