Why probiotics are important for puppies?

Did you know that 80% of immune function is related to the health of the intestinal tract? Thus, one of the most important things you can do, especially for puppies, is to provide them with beneficial bacteria (probiotics), which can solidify that foundation of health throughout their lives.

At birth, the puppy's intestinal tract is relatively "clean" and sterile. This is a good time to fortify the tract with probiotics, especially at the puppy stage. Probiotics are also beneficial when a puppy starts to wean. Probiotics can help the puppy's digestive system to adjust to the dietary change from mother's milk to puppy food. This helps to preempt or stop diarrhea in puppies. In addition, they can assist in overall food digestion and nutrient absorption.

Puppy Diarrhea

You can fight puppy diarrhea by providing your dog with the nutrition it needs to improve gut function¹, and at the same time provide overall foundational protection that will benefit them throughout their lives.

The probiotic species contained in Probiotic Miracle are clinically shown to fight diarrhea-causing bacteria, balance your pet's gut fast, and provide lasting relief from diarrhea.

Long-Term Benefits of Probiotics for Puppies

Puppy owners who supplement their puppies diet with probiotics have reported fewer problems with puppy diarrhea, diseases, digestive issues, and allergies throughout their dog's life.

This knowledge is leading to widespread use of probiotics in puppies for overall good foundational health.

Will any probiotic do for puppies?

Unfortunately, most probiotic formulas are not designed specifically for pets.

The problem is that most formulas for pets are just L. acidophilus and/or B. bifidus formulas, or "kitchen sink" formulas with tons of strains in them. These approaches are mimics of human probiotic products, which can be counter-productive. Research in dogs has shown different strains to be more effective than those that are found in humans (see summary and references below).

Avoid "Kitchen Sink" Formulas

You've heard the phrase: "Everything but the kitchen sink." A "kitchen sink" probiotic formula is a product that includes multiple strains of probiotics. In our opinion, any formula that contains more than six species (strains) of probiotics is a "kitchen sink" formula and should be avoided.

Reasons to avoid these formulas include:

1. The formula includes strains which are not studied in animals. These strains may be benign, counter-productive, or disagreeable with your pet's body.
2. To allow room for these additional species (strains) of bacteria, the amount of beneficial strains are reduced. This makes the formula less effective for your pet.

Probiotic Miracle is not a “kitchen sink” formula; but, rather, a targeted ratio-balanced set of probiotics designed to produce the very best result in animals. This separates Probiotic Miracle® from any other that is on the market, and is why it continues to be the number one probiotic formula for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens.

What is "CFU" and how many does my puppy need?

CFU (Colony Forming Units) is a measure of how many bacteria are able to divide and form colonies, consider CFU as being single bacterium. If the microorganism (bacteria/probiotic) is able to divide and form colonies then the bacteria is alive and healthy.

For animals that are generally healthy, the recommendation from Nusentia is 1-2 Billion CFU per day for a dog under 50 lbs. A dog over 50 lbs should receive 2-3 Billion CFU per day.

If the animal is ill, on antibiotic therapy, or has other digestive issues, the CFU dosage should go up by 3-4 times until health improves. For dogs on antibiotics, do not give probiotics within 2 hours of giving antibiotics.

Why is Probiotic Miracle® different than all other Probiotic Formulas?

The formula for Probiotic Miracle® is based on research done specifically in animals. Experts with over 20 years experience in working with microorganisms and application developed the most beneficial formula for your pet.

Countless satisfied customers see a real difference in their pets!

"After having problems with previous dogs in our family, we decided to start Trigger off with Probiotic Miracle as a puppy. We noticed the difference in his health right away. His stools never have that nasty "dog poop" smell, and his coat looks thicker and shinier... excellent, really. He's almost 2 now, and we plan to keep him on Probiotic Miracle for as long as he is in our family."

A probiotic formula based on the science!

Probiotic Miracle® incorporates a simple yet sophisticated philosophy:

1. to only use probiotic species that have been scientifically studied in animals
2. to put in probiotic counts (CFU) in line with the studies (understanding CFU in probiotics) 
   

Benefits of supplementing your puppies diet with Probiotic Miracle®

• Great for foundational immunity and protecting from infection
• Great for digestive health
• Great for battling acute digestive disorders
  

Try it you will see the difference in your dogs!

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Research Summary

B. animalis

Probably the most studied probiotic strain in dogs is B. animalis. It has been demonstrated to reduce acute diarrhea and improve overall intestinal health. For some reason, this seems to be a big secret and most pet products do not contain. We believe that over time all of the formulas will move to containing B. animalis.

A look at a couple of the studies:

Vet Ther. 2009 Fall;10(3):121-30

Clinical benefits of probiotic canine-derived Bifidobacterium animalis strain AHC7 in dogs with acute idiopathic diarrhea.

Commentary:

In this study B. animalis on its own reduced the resolution time in half from 6 days to 3.

Vet Microbiol. 2009 Oct 20;139(1-2):106-12. Epub 2009 May 19.

Portrait of a canine probiotic Bifidobacterium—from gut to gut.

(Excerpt)
“Bifidobacterium animalis adhered to epithelial cells, transited the murine gastrointestinal tract to high numbers and significantly reduced S. typhimurium translocation. B. animalis  consumption significantly reduced the carriage of Clostridia, in particular Clostridium difficile, in dogs. This study describes the isolation and screening of canine-derived bacterial strains with commensal traits. The results demonstrate that B. animalis has significant potential for improving canine gastrointestinal health.”

Commentary:

Clostridium difficile is the pathogen that primarily causes diarrhea. The fact that B. animalis has such a dramatic effect on C. difficile, makes it really the number one choice for dealing with acute diarrhea.

L. acidophilus

Lactobacillus acidophilus has been shown to be especially good with use in puppies. This probiotic was shown to increase weigh gain/growth in canines (Note it is thought that probiotics are critical in this stage also for bolstering foundational immunity).

Arch Tierernahr. 2001;55(3):243-53.
Effect of lactobacillus

L. rhamnosus

Along with L. fermentum, and L. salivarious, L. rhamnosus is one of the highest concentrated bacteria found in normal healthy canine microbiota. Formulas that do not have this probiotic in fairly high amounts should not claim to be specifically formulated for canines.

J Appl Microbiol. 2006 Jul;101(1):131-8.

Lactic acid bacteria isolated from canine faeces.

(Excerpt)
“SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The selected LAB strains are among the first host-specific LAB with antimicrobial activity isolated from canines that could serve as potential probiotics for canine use.”

Commentary:

This study shows that L .rhamnosus is one of the foundational bacteria found in canine intestinal tracts.

L. fermentum

Again, one of the naturally concentrated bacteria inherit to canine microbiota, it has strong survival characteristics and the ability to significantly modify the intestinal microbiota

J Appl Microbiol. 2006 Jul;101(1):131-8.

Lactic acid bacteria isolated from canine faeces.

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006 Oct;72(10):6539-43.

L. reuteri

As part of the Lactobacillus family, it has many of the broad ranging health benefits. In dogs though they have found that L. reuteri may be the most resistant and may be especially helpful in controlling canine intestinal infections.

Food Sci. 2007 Apr;72(3):M94-7.

Isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus species having

Isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus species having potential for use as probiotic cultures for dogs.

L. salivarious

Again, one of the naturally concentrated bacteria inherent to canine microbiota. Strong and viable, this probiotic should always be in a canine formula.

J Appl Microbiol. 2006 Jul;101(1):131-8.

Lactic acid bacteria isolated from canine faeces.