My Fire Hydrant

You’ve probably heard of the AKC (American Kennel Club) and the CFA (Cat Fanciers Association). Have you heard of Meet the Breeds?

 A few weeks ago (October 17 & 18), some of my co-workers were at the Javits Center in New York City (wish I had been able to go!) where they attended the AKC-CFA Meet The Breeds sponsored by Pet Partners, Inc. This really cool weekend event allowed people to “meet” 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds. Each breed had its own designated space that was designed and decorated to reflect the breed’s attributes, characteristics, history, and heritage. People attending the event were able to pet the dogs/cats/puppies/kittens and to question and talk to breed experts. What a great way to learn about different breeds of dogs and cats!

My buddy, Jason Taylor (from our External Relations team), was there to present a contribution to two outstanding organizations, the Bulldog Club of America and the Winn Feline Foundation. 

Munch looks on approvingly as Jason presents a check for $10,000 to Evelyn Heath of the Bulldog Club of America's Charitable Fund. To Munch's left are Adam and Deirdre Nardelli, Munch's owners.

Have you seen the Iams dog and cat ads we’ve been doing lately that call attention to the fact we’ve added prebiotics to our pet foods? The two breeds starring in these ads are the Bulldog and Cornish Rex. In fact,  the canine star of the ads — Munch the Bulldog – was at Meet the Breeds!

Everybody at Iams fell in love with Munch when we first started looking at his photos and video. He has such personality! That Saturday at Meet the Breeds, Jason and Munch presented a donation to the Bulldog Club of America. We know that they will put our contribution to good use to support the breed.

Janet Wolf, the executive director of the Winn Feline Foundation receives a check for $10,000 from Jason. On the left is David White of the CFA holding Artie the Cornish Rex.

The next day, it was Artie’s turn to shine. Artie is a Cornish Rex, and he is a magnificent example of his breed—sleek, healthy, and beautiful. The Cornish Rex is the breed of cat featured in our new marketing campaign for Iams Cat food. That Sunday, Jason and Artie presented a donation to the Winn Feline Foundation, to help honor and celebrate the unique Cornish Rex breed.

What an incredible event!

I just downloaded this TV commercial into the Iams YouTube account. When I first heard talk about this ad, I was a little uncomfortable–I thought we might offend some of the Bulldog affectionados out there. But how could anyone not fall in love with this very handsome pooch? I smile every time I watch him strut down the street. What a dog!

 Back in December, I briefly mentioned a new product we (Iams) were launching called Prostora Max. Here are some more details.

1. WHAT IS PROSTORA MAX?
Prostora Max is our new probiotic supplement for dogs.Probiotics are the beneficial or good bacteria that can provide health benefits in the gut beyond what basic nutrition provides. In your dog’s gut, they help provide a natural defense system against bad bacteria; they promote vitamin synthesis and absorption; and they maintain the health of the immune system.

Prostora Max (our new supplement!) contains a unique and patented strain of bacteria called Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7. Bifiobacterium is naturally present in the dog’s gut and probiotics originating from the target species (the dog) may be better adapted to adhere and colonize.

It comes in a soft, chewable treat form that (I can personally testify because Bailey has tried it) dogs love to eat and owners love to give!

2. WHAT DOES IT DO?
More than 500 species of bacteria reside in your dog and there is a delicate balance between the good ones and the bad ones. Several things can impact this balance such as disease, age, diet, stress and antibiotics. Upsetting the balance can result in digestive upsets and loose stools.

Probiotics (the good bacteria) can help restore the delicate balance. But all probiotics are NOT created equal. Benefits depend on the kind of probiotics (Lactobacillus, Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium), the species they are used in (human, dog, cat) or the level that is consumed.

In a clinical trial Prostora Max was shown to nutritionally manage diarrhea faster than without using probiotics (anyone whose dog has had diarrhea will tell you that stopping it even 1 hour faster is a benefit!). Antibiotic use in this study was also decreased by 23% when Prostora was given.

3. WHERE CAN I GET IT?
Prostora Max is only available through your veterinarian.

4. WHERE DID THAT GOOFY NAME COME FROM?
The rumor around the office is that they took the words probiotic and restore and mashed them together to make Prostora. Prostora helps restore the bacterial balance.

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.

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.