Your Guide to Boston Terriers!

The Mystery of Probiotics- De-Mystified!

by Colleen Fernandez

Probiotics are all the rage right now, especially for crazy Boston Terrier owners! If you haven’t had the chance to read about what they are, and what they can do for your dog, then keep reading— because today I hope to answer all your questions! Probiotics are friendly microorganisms or “good” bacteria that help maintain the balance in the intestinal tracts of our dogs (and us)!

What Do Probiotics Do?

Probiotics are essential to great Boston Terrier health! These microorganisms help defend against diseases and illnesses in your pet. Imagine that Probiotics are a powerful bacterial army that defends the body against dangerous invaders. If your dog has the proper ratio of probiotics in his intestines, these friendly bacteria will actually help prevent a wide range of future health problems. Keeping the balance between friendly and harmful bacteria can certainly be a challenge, but it should also be a priority, since it’s so key to the health and longevity of your Boston terrier. Here are some factors that contribute to throwing off the healthy bacterial balance:

Medications
Poor diet
Pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals found outside
Stress
Poor immune system
And getting older!

So What Exactly Are the Benefits of Probiotics?

Probiotics are absolutely necessary to help with the following:

Manufacture B group vitamins, biotin and folic acid.
Reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Produce natural antibiotics, which can protect against harmful bacteria such as salmonella, E.Coli and shigella.
Regulate and stimulate many aspects of the immune system.
Improve lactose intolerance.
Display significant anti-oxidant activity.
Inhibit the growth of some yeast (eg. Candida Albicans).
Detoxify harmful chemicals and carcinogens from the body via the intestinal system.
Increase energy levels.
Regulate and increase hormone levels.
Remove toxins ingested through foods (eg. Pesticides and Herbicides).
Absorb nutrients, antioxidants and iron from your diet.
Removal of toxins as waste products of digestion.
Reduce food intolerance (eg. Lactose and Gluten).
Reduce inflammation.
Digestion of food.

So How Do You Know If Your Boston’s Bacterial Balance Is out of Whack?

Some common indicators of an unhealthy digestive tract are:

Diarrhea
Constipation
Flatulence
Skin Problems
Sluggishness

As you are well aware, these symptoms could also be indicators of many other health problems. So you should always consult with your vet if you have concerns about your Boston Terrier’s health. The fact of the matter is, dogs that have the optimal ratio of “good” bacteria in their intestines are better equipped to ward off the growth of unhealthy organisms. I suggest that you supplement a well-balanced diet with a high quality dog probiotic and give your Boston Terrier the health that he’s truly worthy of! Have a favorite probiotic? Leave a comment below to help future readers of this article!