Do animals need to be fed probiotics? What are the probiotics for animals to eat

      There are various types of probiotics used in animals, which are mainly developed based on the physiological characteristics and needs of different animals. The following provides a detailed introduction to the common types, functions, and scope of application of animal probiotics:

1、 The main strains of common animal probiotics

（1） Lactic acid bacteria

Lactobacillus genus

      Function: By producing lactic acid, it lowers the pH value of the intestine, inhibits the proliferation of harmful bacteria, and regulates the balance of intestinal microbiota; Enhance intestinal mucosal immune function and improve animal disease resistance.

Scope of application:

      Livestock and poultry (pigs, chickens, cows, sheep, etc.): improve diarrhea and constipation, promote feed digestion and absorption, especially suitable for young animals during weaning and stress periods (such as transportation and feeding).

      Pets (cats, dogs): relieve indigestion, vomiting, and constipation, and assist in the treatment of gastroenteritis; Some strains of bacteria can improve bad breath and reduce fecal odor.

Bifidobacterium genus

      Function: As a native gut bacterium, it has strong colonization ability, can competitively repel harmful bacteria, synthesize vitamin B family and short chain fatty acids (such as acetic acid and propionic acid), promote intestinal development and nutrient absorption.

Scope of application:

      Young animals (such as piglets and chicks): Help establish intestinal microbiota barriers and reduce the incidence of weaning diarrhea.

      Pets: regulate intestinal function, improve digestive decline in elderly pets, and some products are used to assist in the treatment of allergic skin diseases.

（2） Bacillus species

Bacillus subtilis

      Function: Exists in the form of spores, resistant to stomach acid and high temperatures, germinates into nutrients after entering the intestine, consumes oxygen to create an anaerobic environment, and promotes the growth of anaerobic bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria; Secreting digestive enzymes such as protease and amylase to improve feed utilization efficiency.

Scope of application:

      Livestock and poultry: improve the intestinal environment, reduce the production of harmful gases such as ammonia, and lower the risk of respiratory diseases; Commonly used in aquaculture (such as fish and shrimp) to purify water quality while regulating the intestinal health of aquatic animals.

      Ruminant animals (cattle, sheep): Optimize rumen microbial fermentation, improve roughage digestibility, and promote fattening.

Bacillus licheniformis

      Function: Similar to Bacillus subtilis, it can produce antimicrobial peptides (such as bacteriocins), inhibit harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella, and enhance the body's immune system.

      Scope of application: Livestock, poultry, and aquatic animals, especially suitable for preventing intestinal infections in high-density breeding environments.

（3） Yeast type

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

      Function: By adsorbing intestinal endotoxins and pathogens through cell wall components such as β - glucan and mannan, immune cells are activated; During the fermentation process, nutrients such as amino acids and vitamins are produced to promote animal growth.

Scope of application:

      Ruminant animals: improve rumen fermentation function, increase milk production and quality; Used for fattening beef cattle and sheep, improving feed conversion rate.

      Pet: As a nutritional supplement to enhance physical fitness, some products are used to assist in the treatment of loss of appetite and anemia.

Saccharomyces boulardii

      Function: Belonging to probiotic yeast, it can resist intestinal inflammation, secrete antitoxin substances, and especially significantly improve diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile infection.

      Scope of application: Treatment of diarrhea in pets (cats, dogs), such as antibiotic associated diarrhea and acute enteritis; It can also be used for the prevention of diarrhea in young livestock and poultry.

（4） Other bacterial strains

Enterococcus faecalis

      Function: In the early days, it was commonly used as a probiotic for livestock and poultry, which can produce bacteriocins to inhibit harmful bacteria. However, it should be noted that some strains may have resistance risks. Currently, its application is gradually decreasing and it is more commonly used in aquaculture.

Clostridium butyricum

      Function: Generate butyric acid (the main energy source for intestinal epithelial cells), repair intestinal mucosal damage, and enhance barrier function; Inhibit inflammatory response and improve intestinal immunity.

      Scope of application: Intestinal repair for livestock, poultry, and pets, such as in the recovery period of enteritis and as an adjuvant treatment for ulcerative colitis; Intestinal health of aquatic animals (such as shrimp).

2、 Precautions for choosing animal probiotics

      Targeted bacterial strains: The gut microbiota of different animals varies greatly. For example, ruminants need to choose strains that are adapted to the rumen environment (such as rumen cocci), while pets need to choose acid tolerant lactobacilli or Blades yeast.

      Live bacteria count and stability: The product should be labeled with the live bacteria count (such as CFU/g), and the packaging should ensure sealing to avoid the inactivation of live bacteria (such as liquid probiotics stored in refrigeration).

      Joint use: Some products use a multi strain compound formula (such as Lactobacillus+Bifidobacterium+Bacillus), which can more comprehensively regulate the microbial community, but attention should be paid to the compatibility between strains.

      Taboo scenario: During the use of antibiotics, probiotics should be taken 2-3 hours apart to avoid killing live bacteria; It is recommended to choose bacterial strains with high colonization ability (such as Bifidobacterium) for young animals or sick individuals.

4、 Extension: Frontier Applications of Probiotics in Animal Farming

      Alternative antibiotics: In livestock and poultry farming, probiotics reduce the use of antibiotics through competitive exclusion and immune regulation, which is in line with the trend of "antibiotic free farming".

      Functional probiotics: Some strains have been developed for specific needs, such as reducing pet allergens, reducing ammonia emissions from animal manure (environmentally friendly probiotics), and improving the stress resistance of aquatic animals.

      If you need specific product recommendations or usage plans for a certain type of animal, you can further explain your needs in order to provide more accurate information!