My Fire Hydrant

Pronounced: Fruwk-toe-ol-lie-go-sack-er-ides, a probiotic available from a veterinarian.

1. WHAT IS FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES?
Fructooligosaccharides, or FOS, is a prebiotic. It’s found in a variety of foods, like bananas, barley, garlic, honey, rye, and wheat. It can also be produced commercially. We (Iams/Eukanuba) have used a natural form of this ingredient (which we source from Canada) in selected diets since 1994. FOS is a fiber that is broken down—or fermented–in the intestine by the good bacteria that live there.

2. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PREBIOTIC AND A PROBIOTIC?
Probiotics are live, beneficial or good bacteria supplied in some form (treat or supplement) to the animal that provide a health benefit. Prebiotics feed (or support) the good bacteria, helping the good bacteria to grow.

Certain combinations of prebiotics and probiotics can actually compliment each other in promoting gastrointestinal health. For example, the Fructooligosaccharides (a prebiotic) in a dog diet can feed the “good” bacteria found in Prostora Max

3. HOW DOES FOS WORK?
Because it’s a fiber, FOS is not digested by the enzymes in the dog’s or cat’s digestive tract. Instead, the bacteria in the intestinal track break it down and use it for food. Here’s what’s really cool: Fructooligosaccharides does NOT feed the bad bacteria. So the net result is that FOS feeds the good bacteria and starves the bad bacteria, helping to create the right balance between good and bad bacteria.

A dog or cat’s immune system is influenced by the right balance of good and bad bacteria in the intestinal tract. If the good bacteria (like Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus) are outnumbered by the bad bacteria (like Salmonella and Clostridium), the pet may end up sick—probably with diarrhea.

4. WHAT IAMS/EUKANUBA DIETS CONTAIN FOS?
Right now, only a few of our Iams and Eukanuba diets contain Fructooligosaccharides. But here’s the great news! Over the next few months this prebiotic will be added in to nearly all Iams and Eukanuba dog and cat diets! You will see “Fructooligosaccharides” listed on the ingredients panel along with a sticker on the front of the bag that talks about prebiotics.

DISCLAIMER:
I’ve put this information in my own words after training and study. I reserve the right to add to and/or edit this post if it becomes outdated or additional/better information becomes available. Information posted on my blog (or on the Internet for that matter) should NEVER be substituted for the guidance and advice of your veterinarian or your animal behavior professional.