BLIS Technologies Enters the Pet Health Category with Clinically-Studied Oral Probiotics for Dogs

BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ — the world's first commercialised oral probiotic strains — extend their 25-year human health heritage into companion animal care, addressing one of the most prevalent yet under-treated conditions in dogs.

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND — BLIS Technologies, the global leader in oral probiotic innovation and originator of the Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ strains, today announced its formal expansion into the pet health category with a clinically-studied probiotic platform for canine oral health. The move brings strain-specific, science-backed microbiome solutions to a market dominated by generic blends and mechanical interventions.

Periodontal disease affects an estimated 80% of dogs by age three, with gingivitis prevalence reported as high as 95–100% in companion dogs. Despite these rates, only around 2% of pet owners brush their dog's teeth daily, leaving a significant gap between the scale of the problem and the everyday tools available to address it. The implications extend well beyond bad breath: oral disease in dogs has documented links to systemic conditions affecting the heart, kidneys, and liver.

"Pet parents are asking the same questions of their dog's supplements that they now ask of their own — which strain, what dose, and where is the evidence?" said a spokesperson for BLIS Technologies. "BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ answer those questions with named, clinically-studied strains — not a generic 'probiotic blend' on a label."

Validated in the Canine Oral Environment The dog's mouth is a fundamentally different environment from the human's, with a distinctly alkaline pH of 8.5–8.65 versus 6.5–7.5 in humans. Most oral probiotics on the market have never been tested under these conditions. BLIS Technologies has now generated direct canine evidence for both flagship strains.

Colonisation. In a preliminary single-dose study in ten dogs of varied breeds, BLIS K12™ was recovered from 100% of dogs immediately after administration, with 50% still showing detectable levels at four hours and approximately 10% at 24 hours. The data confirm BLIS K12™ can occupy the canine oral cavity and provide a clear rationale for daily dosing in finished products.

Pathogen inhibition. In in vitro deferred antagonism testing against bacteria isolated directly from the mouths of healthy dogs, BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ inhibited a broad set of canine-relevant species — including Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (skin, ear and respiratory infections), Bergeyella zoohelcum (chronic rhinitis), Streptococcus canis, Moraxella spp., and Enterococcus species linked to otitis externa. Both strains have also been demonstrated to inhibit Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, two key drivers of periodontal disease shared between humans and dogs.

Tartar reduction. In a 56-day trial across 45 dogs, BLIS M18™ produced a statistically significant 34% reduction in tartar on the back teeth and a 25% directional decrease in whole-mouth tartar — addressing the mineralised plaque burden that drives gingivitis and tooth loss.

Fresh breath. In a four-week study (Matsumoto et al., 2016), beagles given daily BLIS K12™ showed reduced odour scores, lower oral ammonia levels, and statistically significant suppression of methylamine — the primary driver of recognisable mouth odour — compared with untreated controls, who worsened over the same period.

A Category Ready for Strain-Specific Science The global pet oral care market exceeded USD $14.5 billion in 2026 and is projected to surpass $26.5 billion by 2032, paralleling broader growth in preventive pet supplements. Within pet health ingredients, probiotics are among the fastest-growing segments. Yet the category faces a credibility gap: unnamed strains, CFU inflation without efficacy data, and growing scepticism from both retailers and consumers.

BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ are positioned to differentiate premium pet brands on the criteria that increasingly matter to pet parents — named strains they can research, clinical evidence they can verify, and visible benefits like fresh breath and healthier-looking gums.

Already on Shelf in Key Markets BLIS strains are already powering branded pet oral care products across Asia and North America, including DENTALBIO (Kyoritsu Seiyaku, Japan; veterinary channel), Probio Dental Pet (Premiere Mode, Japan), Easycare Daily Fresh (Chogong, South Korea), and Entero TruBenefits® (Veterinarian Recommended Solutions, USA). Formats span powders for application to food and tablets, supporting flexibility for brands developing in this space.

Availability for Brands and Formulators BLIS K12™ (1 billion CFU dose) and BLIS M18™ (0.5 billion CFU dose) are available globally to pet supplement brands, formulators, and veterinary nutrition partners. BLIS Technologies supports partners with strain documentation, regulatory dossiers, and formulation guidance optimised for daily oral contact — including powder-on-food and chew/lozenge formats designed to maximise persistence in the canine oral cavity.