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Can I give friendly bacteria to my pet?

Yes, our customers have been known to give Optibac supplements to pets. All types of pets can take friendly bacteria because they are generally very safe to use.

Pets are an important part of our lives, and as pet owners, we want to ensure that our furry friends are healthy and happy. A popular topic of discussion among both Optibac customers and staff is how pets can benefit from taking friendly bacteria in the same way that we do.

If your pet experiences any digestive issues then live cultures supplements proven to reach the gut alive could be worth a try.

One customer gives Every Day to their chinchilla and said 'Using Optibac has been a real game changer for my chinchillas!'

One of the primary things to consider if you're thinking of live cultures for dogs, cats, rabbits or chinchillas is strain specificity. We know that different types of bacteria do different things in humans - the same applies to animals. There are well-known strains of live cultures that have been researched in some animals, particularly dogs1,2, including the friendly yeast Saccharomyces Boulardii, a scientifically proven digestive supplement.S

Image of brody walker with sb
Some of our customers give live cultures to their dogs.

A secondary consideration may be how?! There are obvious practicalities to be considered when giving Optibac to your pet. One of the easiest ways is to open the capsules and add the contents to wet pet food. Your pet will never know the difference!

You might be wondering whether your dachshund needs the same number of friendly bacteria supplements as your Great Dane. Whilst we'd suggest downsizing for very small animals, at least to start with, friendly bacteria are completely safe and natural to take ongoing.

Optibac supplements can be a valuable addition to your pet's overall health and well-being. However, each pet is unique and we'd recommend consulting with a veterinarian before introducing them into your pet's diet if they have special health considerations. 

Friendly bacteria for dogs and small animals is an exciting emerging area of research. Watch this space pet owners!

References

  1. D'Angelo S et al., (2018) Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in dog with chronic enteropathies: double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. The Veterinary Record, 182(9):258.
  2. Meineri G et al., (2022) Effects of Saccharomyces boulardii Supplementation on Nutritional Status, Fecal Parameters, Microbiota, and Mycobiota in Breeding Adult Dogs. Veterinary Sciences, 9(8):389.

This FAQ has been answered by Helen Morton, Nutritional Therapist DipION