Cat Digestive Supplement

Maximum Animal Health Cat Digestive Supplement

The digestive supplement by Maximum Animal Health is designed to support the gut health and microbiome of cats. It contains many functional ingredients, including prebiotics, probiotics, yeasts, and beta glucans which each work in different ways to support the gut health and digestion.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are types of dietary carbohydrates which pass, undigested by enzymes, to the hindgut where they reach gut bacteria. Prebiotics support the microbiome by acting as a substrate, or “food” for the beneficial gut bacteria. By supporting the population of beneficial gut bacteria, their numbers grow in relation to the detrimental gut bacteria. There are different prebiotics and multiple prebiotic sources are included within this supplement.
• Inulin and fructoligosaccharides (FOS) are supplied through chicory.
• Mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) are delivered through yeast products.
FOS and MOS increased digestion of dry matter in studies. The combination of FOS, MOS and Inulin, as prebiotics of varying chain lengths reach different bacteria within the gut. Inulin can be fermented by fewer species than FOS, which has a shorter chain length.
MOS has shown the ability to reduce pathogenic bacteria in the gut. MOS acts as a source of nutrients for the beneficial gut bacteria, whilst also promoting the adhesion of mannose to salmonella, reducing pathogenic bacteria colonization of the gut by it flowing from the intestine. This gives beneficial bacteria a greater opportunity to colonise the gut. It has also been shown that Oligosaccharides (such as FOS and MOS) inhibit the binding of pathogenic bacteria to the gut epithelium (or wall).
Prebiotics can also positively influence immunity. One example is a study in humans, FOS improved the antibody response to vaccines such as influenza and measles and improved the side effects of the influenza vaccine too.
Through stimulating the growth of gut bacteria an increased release of metabolites is triggered. This has an acidifying effect upon the colon and benefits to gut health.

Probiotics

Probiotics are the live beneficial bacteria which are included within the diet to boost these populations within the microbiome to promote the cat’s health. Probiotics also act to reduce the colonisation of the gut by pathogenic bacteria through providing competition and producing antimicrobial molecules and organic acids. Different probiotic bacteria effect the gut in different ways. Some increase the production of short chain fatty acids, which in their turn benefit the gut environment. Other probiotics have shown in studies to reduce the rate of diarrhoea in cats, improve stool odour and consistency. Influencing the gut health positively also has a multitude of benefits for wider health. Probiotics have shown to reduce the instances of gut dysbiosis, which is associated with many disease states and ill health. By maintaining gut health the wider health and wellbeing of the cat is supported.

Yeasts

Brewer’s yeast contains essential nutrients that are helpful for keeping the gut barrier strong and protective against pathogens. The cells of the gut are actively dividing so there is always demand for the precursors of DNA and RNA, and for amino acids and B vitamins. Brewer’s yeast supplies these components. It’s also very palatable for cats, they love the flavour, so helps to avoid any fuss around giving a supplement.
Beta glucans are found in yeast cell walls. They are recognised by the immune system, which is thought to be a way for the body to recognise pathogenic yeasts. As brewer’s yeast is not a pathogen its presence helps the immune system to be alert without causing inflammation. Likeness have been made between the immune system in this alert state and a resting guard dog. They are both present, watching and ready to jump into protective action when required. Prebiotic mannooligosaccharides are also present in brewer’s yeast, which are discussed above.

Beta-glucans

Whilst they are a component of yeasts, beta glucan is also added to this supplement as a separate entity. Whilst yeast contains mannan oligosaccharides and beta glucans, they are combined within the yeast, and less available than purified beta glucan. By including them individually the benefits each of yeast, mannan oligosaccharides and beta glucans can be maximised. The immunomodulator and immune system stimulating effects of beta glucans can be relied upon.

Summary

Here is a brief run down of the elements of the Maximum Animal Health digestive supplement for cats, how each of these elements contributes and complement each other, and the multiple methods of action on which it positively influences the gut health and digestion.

References

1. Davani-Davari D, Negahdaripour M, Karimzadeh I, Seifan M, Mohkam M, Masoumi SJ, Berenjian A, Ghasemi Y. Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications. Foods. 2019 Mar 9;8(3):92. doi: 10.3390/foods8030092. PMID: 30857316; PMCID: PMC6463098.
2. Beynen, Anton. (2019). Beynen AC, 2019. Prebiotics in cat food.
3. Yang, Q.;Wu, Z. Gut Probiotics and Health of Dogs and Cats: Benefits, Applications, and Underlying Mechanisms. Microorganisms 2023, 11, 2452. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102452
4. The Bundled Benefits of Brewer’s Yeast in Pet Food. Pet Food Industry. https://www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/9565-the-bundled-benefits-of-brewers-yeast-in-pet-food?utm_source=Omeda&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=NL-Petfood+Industry+News&utm_campaign=NL-Petfood+Industry+News_20201012_0611&oly_enc_id=0028I1642690C4U>