Pet probiotics

摘要

Keelan McNamara BSc, research and development scientist, AnaBio Technologies, discusses the benefits of the growing pet-probiotic market.Since 2010, global pet-food sales have increased byapproximately 30%. This market is estimatedto be worth $75bn USD (Euromonitor), with the US makingup about 42%, followed by western Europe(27%). Pet populations are ever increasing, especially dogsand cats which have been companions and cohabitants withhumans for thousands of years. Interest in the health andwell-being of our pets is now on par with our own. Theseanimals face similar lifestyle challenges as humans, withobesity in pets becoming more predominant.A pet's digestive system, which is mainly responsible forbreaking down and absorbing nutrients, iskey for the physiology and well-being of the body. Thedigestive system in turn is dependent on the 'good'bacteria which colonise it. In fact, research indicates that70% of a pet's immune system lies in the digestivetract. Therefore, a major part of the animal's health derivesfrom the gut, which harbours a complexmicrobial community. Often, gastrointestinal (Gl) disordersin animals can be linked to bacterial overgrowth andenterotoxins produced by pathogenic bacteria.