Researchers Identify Two Types of Probiotics That Aid Dogs in Losing Weight

The identification of two probiotic strains capable of reducing weight in obese dogs was uncovered in a recent study. The research highlights the effectiveness of these strains in enhancing metabolism and decreasing body fat, underlining the importance of further specialized research and guidelines regarding probiotics for pets.

According to a recently published study in the Microbiology Spectrum journal of the American Society for Microbiology, researchers have found two probiotic strains effective in reducing weight in obese dogs.

The research team, in the new study, focused on metabolic diseases in pets aiming to discover appropriate probiotics for long-term, safe treatment. "We decided to investigate one of the most common issues among pets, obesity, " said the main investigator Younghoon Kim, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology at Seoul National University in Korea.

Worth noting, global obesity is higher in older pets impacting nearly 50% of all pet populations across different age groups. A significant part of these pets are already undergoing various treatments, including dietary interventions.

"Keeping this in mind, we aimed to discover probiotics that could reduce the percentage of body fat in pets," said Kim. His primary goal is to propagate the urgent need for more research on pet-specific probiotics, underscoring the diversity of probiotic types with possible applications.

Aside from acknowledging their role in addressing specific issues, Kim advocates recognizing probiotics' broader therapeutic possibilities, covering a wide range of diseases affecting pets. "My hope is to inspire increased interest, funding, and collaboration within the scientific community to explore the vast potential of probiotics in pet health," said Kim.

To find suitable probiotic candidates for pets, Kim and colleagues analyzed variations in the intestinal microbiota between young and old dogs. They observed a reduction in the population of lactic acid bacteria, Bifidobacterium species, and Enterococcus species in older dogs, which guided them to use these specific strains.

They administered these selected strains, Enterococcus faecium IDCC 2102 and Bifidobacterium lactis IDCC 4301, to a group of beagles in the experimental phase with a high-fat diet. The results were significant, showing the strains' effectiveness in reducing body fat and correcting obesity-induced intestinal microflora imbalances.

"The carefully chosen strains exhibited remarkable success in reducing body fat percentage in dogs," confirmed Kim. "These strains stood out by enhancing energy metabolism rather than just limiting dietary intake or increasing excretion to reduce body weight."

Adding to that, Kim noted that fat accumulation can cause systemic inflammation and metabolic hormone disruption. The study found significant improvements in inflammation levels and metabolic activities such as insulin production in the dogs that ingested the selected strains. The researchers also successfully increased the proportion of commensal bacteria, providing defense against harmful bacteria and enhancing immunity.

Kim expressed optimism that these changes are enduring rather than temporary, thus ensuring these beneficial modifications can be maintained over time. This lasting effect emphasizes the potential long-term benefits of including these probiotic strains in pets' health routines.

The rising number of people with pets has increased awareness about health functional foods, particularly probiotics, for pets. Despite the growing interest, research tailored to all animals, including those examined in this study, remains significantly inadequate compared to human research.

“While types of probiotics suitable for human consumption or commercial livestock have been identified and established, the absence of standardized guidelines for companion animals is a glaring gap,” said Kim. “Our study aimed to address this deficiency by striving to broaden the spectrum of probiotics applicable to pets across various environments.”