From conventional probiotics to precision nutrition: host-specific probiotics in canine and feline functional foods.

Probiotics are widely used in companion animal nutrition due to their roles in maintaining gut health, regulating the microbiota, and supporting metabolic homeostasis. Here, we summarize recent advances in the application of probiotics in functional foods for dogs and cats. We outline the strain resources, functional mechanisms, and stabilization technologies of probiotics, with emphasis on their effects on gut barrier function, immune regulation, and metabolic health. In addition, the current challenges, including insufficient host specificity, a lack of rigorous clinical trials, and poor processing stability are discussed. Future directions are proposed for the development of precision probiotics for companion animals. This review provides a theoretical basis for the rational design and standardized application of probiotics in the pet food industry.