Adored Beast · Dental · Heart Health · Probiotic ·

Why We 🩷Love🩷 Recommending Love Bugs for Dental Health

At Pet Grocer, we believe that a healthy pet starts from the inside out. While many pet parents focus on the gut when they hear the word "probiotic," the truth is that a balanced microbiome begins in your pet's mouth. Because of this one of our absolute favourite recommendations for dental health in both cats and dogs is Adored Beast Love Bugs.

The Mouth-Gut Connection

It might surprise you to learn that the oral cavity is home to a diverse population of more than 700 - 1000 bacterial species. When this ecosystem is out of balance, it leads to more than just "stinky breath." Pathogenic bacteria can cause tartar buildup, gum disease, and even systemic issues affecting the heart🩷, lungs, and kidneys.

Love Bugs is a powerful pre and probiotic blend that acts as the "gatekeeper" for your pet’s health. By introducing beneficial bacteria, we can help restore the natural microbial balance in the mouth and slow the growth of bad bacteria that lead to periodontal disease and halitosis.

What Makes Love Bugs Special?

We recommend Love Bugs because it isn't just a single-strain supplement. It features a 14-strain probiotic blend delivering 30 billion allergen-free CFUs (Colony Forming Units) per half-teaspoon.

The secret sauce in this formula is Larch Arabinogalactan. This is a unique prebiotic fiber extracted from the Larch tree that serves as "fertilizer," allowing the friendly bacteria to flourish and set up healthy colonies. This combination has been specifically noted for its ability to help prevent tooth decay and support the immune system, 80% of which resides in the gut.

Love Bugs at Pet Grocer

The Science Behind the Smile

Research continues to show how impactful probiotics are for our furry friends:

  • For Cats: A peer-reviewed study in Veterinary Sciences found that dietary probiotic supplementation (including strains found in Love Bugs like L. acidophilus and L. casei) modulated the feline oral microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria and reducing potential pathogens. (See end of article for links)

  • For Dogs: Clinical reviews have investigated specific probiotic strains for their ability to benefit canine oral health, highlighting their role in maintaining a healthy microbial equilibrium. (See end of article for links)

DIY Recipes: 

One of the best ways to use Love Bugs for dental support is to apply it directly to the teeth and gums. Here are two great recipes you can make at home.

Love Bugs Probiotic Dental Spray

Ingredients:

1 serving of Adored Beast Love Bugs

1 or 2 oz of spring water

A small spray bottle

  1. Put water in your spray bottle and add the serving of probiotic. 

  2. Shake until most of the supplement is dissolved and able to pass through the spray nozzle. 

  3. Spray onto your pet's teeth 20 minutes before a meal. 

  4. Empty remaining water & supplement mix onto your pet's meal before feeding.

Love Bugs Probiotic Dental Paste

This simple recipe, shared by Adored Beast founder Julie Anne Lee, DCH RCSHom, creates a soothing, antibacterial paste.

Ingredients:

  • Small Dog or Cat: 1 tsp of high-quality Coconut Oil + 1/16 tsp of Love Bugs.

  • Large Dog: Up to 1 tbsp of Coconut Oil + 1/8 to 1/4 tsp of Love Bugs.

Instructions:

  1. Do not melt the coconut oil; it is easier to use if it is slightly chunky or solid.

  2. Mix the Love Bugs powder into the oil until well combined.

  3. Using your finger, a piece of gauze, or a soft brush, gently massage the paste along your pet’s teeth and gum line.

  4. Pro Tip: If your pet is fearful of hands in their mouth, you can freeze this mixture into "popsicles" using an ice cube tray, or even add a splash of bone broth for extra flavour!

*Pet Grocer Tip: Replace the plain coconut oil in this recipe with Pet Grocer’s Natural coconut oil based toothpaste!

Important Note: Try to make only what you need. If you have leftovers, keep them in the fridge and use them within 12 hours to ensure the probiotics stay viable. 

How to Use Love Bugs In Food

For general health, simply add Love Bugs to your pet’s food once per day based on their weight:

  • 1–29 lbs: 1/4 tsp

  • 30–59 lbs: 1/2 tsp

  • 60–89 lbs: 3/4 tsp

  • 90+ lbs: 1 tsp

Remember, like all probiotics you shouldn't give this daily, every day, all the time. We need diversity in our probiotics and rotating through other high quality probiotics or taking days off routinely from probiotics, is ideal.

Whether you are just starting your holistic dental health journey or are a seasoned pro, Love Bugs is a cost-effective, easy-to-use staple for any pet’s wellness routine. Stop by Pet Grocer or shop online at PetGrocer.ca today to pick up a jar and start supporting those pearly whites from the inside out!

 

References:

  1. Adored Beast Apothecary. "Love Bugs Pre & Probiotic Product Information and Ingredients." Naturally Healthy Pets. https://drjudymorgan.com/products/love-bugs-pre-probiotic-by-adored-beast

  2. Dion, C., Chappuis, E., & Ripoll, C. (2016). "Does larch arabinogalactan enhance immune function? A review of mechanistic and clinical trials." Nutrition & Metabolism, 13(28). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-016-0086-x

  3. Grieshop, C. M., Flickinger, E. A., & Fahey, G. C. (2002). "Oral administration of arabinogalactan affects immune status and fecal microbial populations in dogs." Journal of Nutrition, 132(3), 478–482. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/132.3.478

  4. Lee, Julie Anne (2020). "Probiotics for Pet Dental Health: A DIY Recipe." Adored Beast Apothecary Blog. https://blog.adoredbeast.com/pet-dental-health/

  5. Mahasneh, S. A., & Mahasneh, A. M. (2017). "Probiotics: A Promising Role in Dental Health." Dentistry Journal, 5(4), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj5040026

  6. Wang, H., Li, Y., & Wu, Y. (2024). "Effect of Dietary Composite Probiotic Supplementation on the Microbiota of Different Oral Sites in Cats." Veterinary Sciences, 11(8), 351. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11080351

  7. You, I., Mahiddine, F. Y., Park, H., & Kim, M. J. (2022). "Lactobacillus acidophilus novel strain, MJCD175, as a potential probiotic for oral health in dogs." Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 946890. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.946890



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