Preventive healthcare for pets

Probiotics are live microorganisms already present in the intestinal system of all animals and humans. They are necessary for the digestion of nutrients and balance of the intestinal microflora. They exert their effect in several ways:competition for nutrients: both probiotics and pathogens utilise the same nutrients, so the more beneficial bacteria are present, the fewer nutrients will be available for the pathogens. 
competition for adhesion sites: many intestinal pathogens rely on adhesion to the gut wall to prevent them from removal by peristaltic movements along the intestinal tract. There are only a limited number of adhesion sites available, so an increased number of beneficial bacteria or probiotics will result in decreased adhesion of pathogenic bacteria.  
stimulation of the immune system: 70 percent of the immune response originates in the digestive tract, and probiotics stimulate the production of antibodies and several other components necessary for a normal and well-functioning immune system.direct antimicrobial effect: production of lactic acid bacteria provides unfavourable conditions for the intestinal pathogens. 
all of these mechanisms lead to the improvement of digestion and the intestinal balance, ultimately leading to everyday wellness. When choosing a probiotic product for a pet, there are some things to keep in mind regarding the quality of the product. Of course, the probiotic strain should be non-toxic and non-pathogenic, but you should also choose a species-specific formulation, in order to ensure optimal effect. Another thing to keep in mind is that the probiotic strain in the product should remain viable throughout the whole period of storage and production. Therefore, the product must contain adequate amounts of probiotics, which can vary from species to species. When it comes to dogs there must be 1 x 109 CFU/kg of product, whereas for cats the concentration should be 7 x 109 CFU/kg. If you want to ensure the best possible effect, you should make sure the product you choose fulfils these basic demands. 

After all this talk about probiotics, where do the prebiotics come in? Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates, which act as a selective nutritional source for the probiotics, thus promoting the growth and activity of the good bacteria. These complex carbohydrates are able to resist the stomach acid and therefore reach the intestines intact, where probiotic bacteria ferment them. Prebiotics also reduce pH in the…