IMPROVING GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN DOGS UNDER KENNEL CONDITIONS: A STUDY OF THE EFFICACY OF A NATURAL DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders remain a significant health concern in dogs, particularly those exposed to chronic stressors of breeding or kennel environments. Under such conditions, characterized by repeated pregnancies, environmental instability, and social stress, dogs are especially vulnerable to chronic stress and gut disturbances that can lead to dysbiosis, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, leaky gut syndrome, and other inflammatory GI disorders. Oxidative stress has been identified as a key contributor to the pathogenesis of many of these conditions, exacerbating inflammation and compromising intestinal barrier function. Natural nutraceuticals such as bromelain, quercetin, and Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom) have individually demonstrated promising antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, their combined efficacy in improving GI health in dogs, particularly under breeding or kennel conditions, has not been explored. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the potential of a novel dietary supplement composed of these three natural ingredients to modulate gut health and maintain microbiome balance in kennel-housed dogs. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a novel natural dietary supplement composed of bromelain, quercetin, and Lentinula edodes on the GI health in healthy adult dogs living under kennel conditions. Methods: The research was conducted in three phases: In vitro, in vivo, and microbiome analysis phases. The in vitro phase evaluated the antioxidant capabilities of five chosen nutraceuticals via TPC, DPPH, and ABTS assays. Three ingredients (bromelain, quercetin, and L. edodes) were chosen for the final supplement formulation because they had better antioxidant profiles. The in vivo phase consisted of a 28-day randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with 30 healthy adult female dogs, allocated into treatment and control groups. Dogs were given either the supplement or a placebo along with a standard commercial diet. The gastrointestinal health biomarkers, including calprotectin, cortisol, N-Methylhistamine (NMH), SCFAs, indole/skatole, were evaluated in the fecal samples and underwent 16S rRNA-based microbiome profiling. The microbiome analysis focused on sequencing the 16S rRNA gene to evaluate changes in gut microbiota composition, diversity, and abundance of specific beneficial or pathogenic bacterial taxa following supplementation. Results: Fecal calprotectin, cortisol, NMH, and indole/skatole levels were significantly reduced in the dogs receiving the supplement, indicating reduced intestinal inflammation and stress. Additionally, SCFA levels increased significantly, indicating improved colonic fermentation and metabolic activity. Favorable shifts in gut microbial composition, with increased abundance of beneficial genera such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Pediococcus, were revealed from the Microbiome analysis. Importantly, no adverse effects on body weight, condition scores, or overall behavior were observed during the study. Conclusion: This study’s findings demonstrate that he formulated a supplement combining quercetin, bromelain, and Lentinula edodes that effectively improved gastrointestinal health in dogs by reducing markers of inflammation and stress, while enhancing beneficial microbial activity and SCFA production. Importantly, the supplement modulated the gut microbiota without disrupting overall diversity, highlighting its potential as a safe and natural dietary strategy for promoting gut health, particularly under kennel conditions. Further research, including male dogs and longer treatment periods, is recommended to broaden the applicability of these results.