Randomized placebo-controlled trial of feline-origin Enterococcus hirae probiotic effects on preventative health and fecal microbiota composition of fostered shelter kittens

The influence of 'biotics' on the gut microbiome of dogs and cats

A global rise in pet ownership and an increasing tendency towards the humanisation of pets have resulted in a greater focus on improving animal health and longevity. These developments coincide with the increased recognition of the role of the gut microbiome in animal health. The gut microbiome has been shown to play a prominent role in gastrointestinal health, and it is becoming increasingly clear that these health benefits extend beyond the gut and into different physiological systems, such as the immune system. Dietary supplementation with products known as 'biotics', which include probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics, is a strategy used to modify the gut microbiome and promote host health. Although biotics have been successfully used in companion animals, questions remain regarding appropriate biotic selection, mechanisms of action, optimum inclusion levels and safety. This review aims to summarise the effects of biotics on the gut microbiome of dogs and cats and assess their potential role in supporting gastrointestinal health.

Decoding the Gut Microbiome in Companion Animals: Impacts and Innovations

The changing notion of "companion animals" and their increasing global status as family members underscores the dynamic interaction between gut microbiota and host health. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate microbial ecology within companion animals required to maintain overall health and prevent disease. Exploration of specific diseases and syndromes linked to gut microbiome alterations (dysbiosis), such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and neurological conditions like epilepsy, are highlighted. In addition, this review provides an analysis of the various factors that impact the abundance of the gut microbiome like age, breed, habitual diet, and microbe-targeted interventions, such as probiotics. Detection methods including PCR-based algorithms, fluorescence in situ hybridisation, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing are reviewed, along with their limitations and the need for future advancements. Prospects for longitudinal investigations, functional dynamics exploration, and accurate identification of microbial signatures associated with specific health problems offer promising directions for future research. In summary, it is an attempt to provide a deeper insight into the orchestration of multiple microbial species shaping the health of companion animals and possible species-specific differences.

Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum Enhance Immune Function and Antioxidant Capacity in Cats through Modulation of the Gut Microbiota

Gastrointestinal (GI) afflictions are prevalent among the feline population, wherein the intricacies of the gut microbiome exert a profound influence on their overall health. Alterations within this microbial consortium can precipitate a cascade of physiological changes, notably in immune function and antioxidant capacity. This research investigated the impact of Bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis) and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) on cats' GI health, exploring the effects of probiotic supplementation on the intestinal ecosystem using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The findings demonstrated a significant improvement in gut barrier function by reducing plasma concentrations of D-lactate (D-LA) by 30.38% and diamine oxidase (DAO) by 22.68%, while increasing the population of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus. There was a notable 25% increase in immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels, evidenced by increases of 19.13% in catalase (CAT), 23.94% in superoxide dismutase (SOD), and 21.81% in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Further analysis revealed positive correlations between Lactobacillus abundance and IgA, CAT, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels. These correlations indicate that B. lactis and L. plantarum enhance feline immune and antioxidant functions by increasing the abundance of beneficial Lactobacillus in the GI tract. These findings provide a foundation for probiotic interventions aimed at enhancing health and disease resistance in feline populations.

Probiotics and Cat Health: A Review of Progress and Prospects

Cats are increasingly favored as companion animals; their health has drawn widespread attention. Given the continuous improvements in the required living standards of both humans and animals, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, diarrhea, constipation, periodontal disease, obesity, diabetes, and other health issues have become recognized as valid pet problems. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat pet diseases, greatly improving animal health. However, antibiotic abuse is common, especially when seeking to treat bacterial infections. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that may be directly ingested in food or as feed additives; they improve the intestinal microflora balance, enhance immunity, and ensure healthy growth. However, cat data are usually inferred from reports on dogs or humans; cat research remains preliminary in nature. Therefore, we here describe the current understanding of how probiotics improve cat health, facilitating the further development and application of probiotics for cats.

Gut Probiotics and Health of Dogs and Cats: Benefits, Applications, and Underlying Mechanisms

Pets (mostly domestic dogs and cats) play an important role in the daily lives of humans and their health has attracted growing attention from pet owners. The intestinal microbiota, a complex microbial community with barrier-protective, nutritional, metabolic, and immunological functions, is integral to host health. Dysbiosis has been related to a variety of diseases in humans and animals. Probiotics have been used in functional foods and dietary supplements to modulate intestinal microbiota and promote host health, which has been introduced in pet dogs and cats in recent years. Various canine- and feline-derived probiotic strains have been isolated and characterized. The administration of probiotics has shown positive effects on the gut health and can alleviate some intestinal diseases and disorders in dogs and cats, although the underlying mechanisms are largely unresolved. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the benefits of probiotics and discuss their possible mechanisms in dogs and cats in order to provide new insights for the further development and application of probiotics in pets.