Probiotics contain beneficial or ‘good’ bacteria which support the health and integrity of the digestive system. This latest trend has got many pet food manufacturers to incorporate probiotics in many of their products.

Probiotics are popular for the following reasons:

• Beneficial microorganisms can enhance the digestive process.
• Live ‘good’ bacteria can boost the microflora of the digestive system, thus supporting its function.
• Probiotics are often used by more and more veterinarians as supportive treatment for digestive problems. One type of probiotic has been demonstrated to shorten the course of acute diarrhea in dogs.
• Probiotics are often prescribed to repopulate the digestive microflora after a dog has undergone antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic consumption can destroy even the ‘good’ bacteria in the stomach, thereby upsetting the environment in the digestive tract.

Know more about your pet’s nutritional needs by asking your Watertown veterinarian. Click here to know more about caring for pets.