Prebiotics for enhanced pet
health
Prebiotics
are non-digestible carbohydrates that selectively stimulate the growth of
good bacteria in the intestine. Prebiotics have been shown to benefit
intestinal function and to help decrease the growth of undesirable
bacteria. Because pets have
their own intestinal microflora, but show many similarities with
humans,
Nestlé innovators extended into pet nutrition the concept of adding
prebiotics to foods.
Chicory –
bitter and beneficial. A combination pets
enjoy.
Inulin
and fructo-oligosaacharides (FOS) are among the most frequently used
prebiotics in human food products. Inulin is a carbohydrate found
extensively in nature as a component of many plants and most of the
commercially available inulin is in the form of chicory.
Chicory
was added to pet foods as a prebiotic and studies proved that this
addition did improve the intestinal flora of dogs and cats.
And, contrary to humans,
dogs like the bitter taste of chicory and show a clear preference for
chicory-containing pet foods.
Prebiotics in pet foods was successfully
launched in numerous Nestlé Purina brands around the world including
Winalot, Vital Balance, Lucky Dog and ALPO. It has also been incorporated
into the Pro Plan Indoor Cat
Formula.