ISSUE FOCUS 46 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2025 live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. They work through multiple mechanisms: • Competitive exclusion of pathogenic bacteria, • Production of antimicrobial substances, • Strengthening the intestinal barrier, • Modulating immune responses, • Producing beneficial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids. THE POWER OF MULTI-STRAIN PROBIOTICS Multi-strain probiotic formulations offer significant advantages over single-strain products. By including selected bacterial species with complementary functions, these formulations broaden the therapeutic spectrum. Different strains target different aspects of gut health. Some excel at inhibiting pathogens. Others promote protective metabolite synthesis. Still others specialize in boosting immune defences or reducing inflammation. This synergistic approach provides more comprehensive support. It addresses multiple aspects of dysbiosis simultaneously. It also increases the likelihood that beneficial strains will successfully colonize the gut environment. WHEN TO RECOMMEND PROBIOTICS FOR PETS Probiotics are particularly beneficial in several clinical and nutritional contexts: • After antibiotic therapies: Antibiotics disrupt the microbiota balance. Probiotic supplementation helps restore beneficial bacteria more quickly. • During recurrent digestive issues: Chronic diarrhea, soft stools, or intermittent vomiting often signal dysbiosis requiring microbial support. • For dietary transitions: Changing from one food to another, or introducing home-prepared diets, stresses the gut microbiota. Probiotics ease this transition. • As immune support: In allergies, dermatitis, or inflammatory conditions, probiotics help modulate immune responses through the gut-immune axis. • For behavioural disturbances: The gut-brain axis means intestinal health influences behaviour. Probiotics may support animals with anxiety or stress-related behaviours. • During stressful periods: Travel, boarding, veterinary visits, or environmental changes can trigger dysbiosis. Preventive probiotic use helps maintain balance. SPOTLIGHT ON LIMOSILACTOBACILLUS REUTERI Among probiotic species, Limosilactobacillus reuteri has demonstrated particular promise for companion animals. This bacterium contributes to maintaining and restoring balanced intestinal microbiota. L. reuteri is part of the complex gut ecosystem responsible for fermenting undigested food residues. It produces beneficial short-chain fatty acids that nourish intestinal epithelial cells. It also actively inhibits pathogenic bacteria through multiple mechanisms. From early life, L. reuteri supports gut immune response by influencing intestinal lymphoid tissue functions. This early colonization helps establish proper immune tolerance and reduces susceptibility to inflammatory conditions. Photo: Freepik
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