Effects of a nonviable <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i> on apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, fecal characteristic, fecal fermentative end-products, and dysbiosis index in healthy and chronic diarrhea-affected dogs and cats

Lay Summary A nonviable Lactobacillus acidophilus (NVL) is being studied as a postbiotic for dogs and cats. We investigated its impact on digestibility, fecal characteristics, fecal microbiota, and immune responses in both healthy and chronic diarrhea dogs and cats. Results showed that healthy and diarrhetic dogs fed NVL supplemented diets had higher apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and energy. In cats, NVL led to a lower gut dysbiosis score (indicating a less imbalanced gut microbiota). However, there was slightly lower digestibility of dry matter and energy in both healthy and diarrhetic cats. Overall, the supplementation of NVL helped dogs use more of the protein and energy in their food and was linked with a less imbalanced pattern of gut bacteria in cats, even though cats digested slightly less of the dry matter and energy in their food. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term clinical impact of these changes; initial NVL supplementation results show promise as a postbiotic for pet diets.