Immune deficiency is a prevalent issue among kittens, severely threatening their health and development by increasing susceptibility to infections and diseases. This study investigates the effects of dietary supplements containing lactoferrin and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) on the immune function, intestinal health, and microbiota composition of kittens. The results demonstrate that these supplements significantly enhance immune responses, with immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels increasing by 14.9% and IgG levels by 14.2%. Additionally, there was a notable 28.7% increase in catalase activity, indicating a reduction in oxidative stress. Gastrointestinal (GI) health improved markedly, evidenced by increased populations of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, which rose from 4.13% to 79.03% over the study period. The DNC group also showed significant reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines, including decreases of 13.94% in IL-2, 26.46% in TNF-α, and 19.45% in IFN-γ levels. Furthermore, improvements in physical conditions were observed, including enhanced coat condition and mental status. These findings underline the potential of lactoferrin and L. plantarum as effective dietary interventions to improve kitten health, thereby reducing dependency on antibiotics and mitigating associated risks. This research provides a scientific foundation for optimizing nutritional management practices to enhance the overall vitality of kittens during their critical growth phases.

This study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of 700 feline-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains against enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), a common cause of diarrhea in cats. Following comprehensive screening, strains ZY25 and ZY35 were identified as the most effective, with inhibition zones of ≥22 mm. These strains demonstrated strong tolerance against stress conditions, such as low pH, bile salts, and gastrointestinal fluids, alongside high hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation abilities. Safety evaluations confirmed the absence of hemolytic activity, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance genes. The antibacterial activity of these strains is attributed to the production of organic acids, particularly lactic acid and acetic acid. These findings suggest that strains ZY25 and ZY35 have potential as natural and effective probiotic treatments for managing EPEC-induced diarrhea in cats, thus offering an alternative to conventional antibiotics.

Oral diseases are highly prevalent among domestic cats, with microbiota dysbiosis as a primary etiological factor. However, effective microbiota-targeted interventions remain limited. This study evaluated the efficacy of a dietary supplement combining propolis and lysozyme (PL) in mitigating feline oral health issues, based on a cohort of 24 cats divided equally into placebo, treatment, and healthy control groups (n = 8 per group). Supragingival microbiota were analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, alongside assessments of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), oral health indices, and systemic inflammatory, oxidative, and immune markers. After 28 days of intervention, cats receiving PL supplementation demonstrated significant improvements, including a 35.4% reduction in VSCs and notable decreases in debris (34.9%), plaque (51.2%), and gingival indices (61.0%). Systemically, MDA and TNF-α levels decreased, while SOD, T-AOC, and IL-4 increased. Microbiota analysis revealed suppression of Porphyromonas and Selenomonas and enrichment of Moraxella and Bergeyella. Reductions in VSCs, gingival index, and TNF-α were correlated with lower Porphyromonas abundance, while Moraxella and Luteimonas were positively associated with antioxidant status. Functional predictions indicated downregulation of virulence-related pathways and increased expression of glutathione reductase. These findings highlight PL’s potential as a natural, microbiota-based intervention that improves feline oral health and modulates the oral–systemic axis, supporting its application in integrative oral care strategies.

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