Behavioral issues in dogs, such as aggression and anxiety, remain a widespread welfare challenge, with prevalence estimates ranging from 34% to 86%. Traditional treatments like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be effective but often come with adverse effects and delayed action, leaving a need for safer and faster-acting alternatives.
In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, Emmanuel M. M. Bijaoui and N. P. Zimmerman (2025) evaluated a novel probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP815™, for its potential to improve canine behavior via the gut–brain axis. Forty home-based dogs participated, receiving either LP815™ (n = 28) or placebo (n = 12) daily for four weeks.
The results were striking: dogs treated with LP815™ showed significant improvements in aggression (p = 0.0047) and anxiety (p = 0.0005) compared to controls. Objective measures also confirmed positive effects—treated dogs settled more quickly after owners’ departures, displayed improved sleep consistency, and engaged in healthier activity patterns. Importantly, over 1,120 doses were administered without reports of significant adverse events, highlighting the probiotic’s excellent safety profile.
The findings align with previous research on other L. plantarum strains, suggesting a shared mechanism likely involving GABA production and vagal nerve signaling. This reinforces the growing evidence that gut microbiota modulation can positively influence emotional and behavioral regulation in companion animals.
Overall, LP815™ represents a promising and natural solution to canine aggression and anxiety, supporting both animal welfare and the human–dog relationship.
Source: Bijaoui, E. M. M., & Zimmerman, N. P. (2025). Efficacy of a Novel Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strain (LP815™) in Reducing Canine Aggression and Anxiety: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial with Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment. Animals. Authors: Emmanuel M. M. Bijaoui, N. P. Zimmerman. Publication Date: 2025-08-04. Journal: Animals.
