Milly Gaines
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that live in the digestive tract of dogs. They aid in digestion, fight off potential pathogens, make nutrients and vitamins, and bolster the immune system. Probiotics are often prescribed to maintain a desirable intestinal microbial balance, which can be disrupted when a dog is stressed or sick, leading to digestive issues. Probiotics can be added to a dog's diet in the form of supplements such as capsules, powders, pastes, and treats, or through probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods. It is important to choose the right probiotic strain and dosage for the specific health issue being addressed, and to consult with a veterinarian before starting a probiotic regimen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why add probiotics to a dog's diet? | To maintain a healthy microbial balance in the gut, which can be disrupted by stress, illness, or medication. |
| When to add probiotics? | When a dog is experiencing digestive issues, such as diarrhea, gas, bloating, constipation, or mild allergy symptoms. |
| Types of probiotics | Prebiotics (nondigestible dietary fibers that feed good bacteria) and probiotics (live microorganisms that support gut health). |
| Forms of probiotics | Capsules, powders, pastes, treats, and food. Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kombucha, kimchi, miso, pickles, and buttermilk. |
| Choosing the right probiotic | Select a probiotic that addresses your dog's specific health issue. Consult a veterinarian to determine if probiotics are suitable for your dog's condition. |
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What You'll Learn
Probiotic treats, capsules, powders, pastes, and food
Probiotics for dogs are a nutritional tool to help with tummy troubles and to support healthy microbial balance in the gut. They are beneficial microorganisms that live in the digestive tract and aid in digestion, fight off potential pathogens, make nutrients and vitamins, and bolster the immune system.
Probiotics come in several forms, including powders, capsules, and chews or treats. Probiotic treats are an easy way to give your dog probiotics, but they may not all be of equal quality. Some treats may not contain live probiotics and might have lots of preservatives or other additives. Probiotic capsules can be given directly to your dog, put in their food, or hidden in a treat like peanut butter. Powders and liquids can be added to your dog's food, and pastes can be given directly to your dog using a syringe or mixed with their food.
Probiotics are also available in dog food products, such as Purina Pro Plan® Complete Essentials and Blue Buffalo True Solutions™ Blissful Belly. Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt or kefir, which can be used as meal toppers or mixers. However, not all yogurt cultures are created equal, and plain, unsweetened yogurt should be used. Probiotics are sensitive to temperature, air, and moisture, and may need to be kept in the fridge.
It is important to choose the right probiotic for your dog's specific situation, as some are better for digestive health, while others are anti-inflammatory or support the immune system. Probiotics may not be suitable for all dogs, so it is recommended to consult a veterinarian for advice.
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Natural sources of probiotics
Yoghurt is a well-known source of probiotics for humans, and it can also be a good source for dogs. Plain, unsweetened yoghurt contains Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which can improve digestion and boost the immune system. However, it is important to introduce yoghurt slowly to ensure your dog does not have a dairy sensitivity.
Kefir is another dairy product that contains live cultures of bacteria and yeasts, which are beneficial for gut health.
Fermented foods are also a source of natural probiotics for dogs. Fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut, can be a crunchy addition to meals that support your dog's gut health. It is important to ensure that fermented foods do not contain salt or garlic, as these ingredients can be harmful to dogs.
Fruits and vegetables that are high in fibre can also act as prebiotics, providing fuel for the beneficial bacteria in your dog's gut. Examples include bananas, apples, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes.
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Prebiotics vs probiotics
Probiotics are "friendly" bacteria that support digestion and boost the immune system. They aid in the digestion of food, fight off potential pathogens, make nutrients and vitamins, and bolster the immune system. Probiotics can be found in supplements, high-quality wet or dry dog food, or natural whole foods such as live yoghurt, carrots, or asparagus.
Probiotics are often prescribed to maintain a "desirable intestinal microbial balance." When a dog is stressed or sick, the balance between healthy and disease-causing microbes may be disrupted, leading to digestive issues and a decline in health. Probiotics can help clear up diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues.
Prebiotics are nondigestible dietary fibers that act as food sources for the "friendly" bacteria in your dog's gut. They are essentially the fuel that helps probiotics thrive and multiply. Prebiotics can be found in supplements, wet or dry dog food, or natural foods such as chicory root, dandelion greens, and certain fruits and vegetables.
Prebiotics and probiotics work together to promote a well-balanced and peaceful environment in the gut. They ensure the growth of "friendly" bacteria, which helps with digestion, nutrient absorption, disease prevention, and a healthy immune system.
When starting your dog on a probiotic-infused diet, they may experience some digestive issues such as diarrhea, gas, bloating, or constipation. This is usually a sign of dietary change and should improve quickly. However, if it doesn't get better, stop feeding them the probiotic and consult your veterinarian.
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Probiotics for dogs with allergies
Probiotics are a nutritional tool to help with tummy troubles and are often prescribed to maintain a "desirable intestinal microbial balance". They are beneficial or "friendly" gut-dwelling microbes (bacteria and yeasts) that aid in digestion, fight off potential pathogens, make nutrients and vitamins, and bolster the immune system.
Probiotics are known to alter the gut microflora, creating a balance between good and bad bacteria. Allergies can impact a dog's quality of life, causing discomfort and stress. Seasonal allergies can also reduce the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Probiotics are available in several forms, including powders, chews, capsules, and pastes, and are formulated with different strains of bacteria. Each strain has specific properties, so not all probiotic strains are the same. While one strain may be good for allergy relief, another may help with gut problems.
Some natural food sources that contain probiotics include yoghurt or kefir with live cultures. However, not all yoghurt cultures are created equal, and some may not contain the particular strains of bacteria that can benefit dogs. Therefore, it is important to read labels carefully and only offer your dog unsweetened, plain yoghurt.
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Probiotics for senior dogs
Probiotics are beneficial or "friendly" gut-dwelling microbes (bacteria and yeasts) that aid in digestion, fight off potential pathogens, make nutrients and vitamins, and bolster the immune system. They are often used to maintain a "desirable intestinal microbial balance" in dogs. Probiotics for dogs come in capsules, powders, pastes, treats, and food.
Senior dogs may need extra gut support with probiotics and prebiotics. Advanced Probiotic Bites, for example, are soft chews that feature premium prebiotics and probiotics, a special Gut Health Blend, and Psyllium Husk. These ingredients support dogs with normal bowel and digestion expectations, along with immunity support.
Probiotics are also available in tasty, soft chews with a premium duo of DE111 (Probiotic) and PreforPro (Prebiotic) to support gut flora and immune system function. The active ingredients include a Gut Health Blend (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus subtilis (DE111), Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis).
Soil-based probiotics (SBOs) are another option for senior dogs. These are spore-forming bacteria with a coating that protects them from heat, stomach acids, and most antibiotics. Bacillus strains of probiotics like Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus Indicus, and Bacillus subtilis are examples of soil-based probiotics for senior dogs.
It is important to note that some dogs may already be getting enough probiotics in their diet through certain foods. Additionally, when starting a dog on a probiotic-infused diet, they may experience some digestive issues such as diarrhoea, gas, bloating, or constipation. If these issues persist or if your dog experiences any changes in appetite, it is recommended to stop feeding them the probiotic and discuss it with your veterinarian.
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Frequently asked questions
Probiotics are live microorganisms—largely bacteria and some yeast—that occur naturally in the digestive tract of humans and animals like your dog. They support a healthy microbial balance in the gut.
A healthy dog on an appropriate diet should not require probiotics. Signs that your dog may benefit from probiotics include allergy symptoms, digestive issues, and stress. Your dog may also need probiotics if they are taking antibiotics, as these can kill good bacteria.
Probiotics for dogs come in several forms, including powders, capsules, chews, pastes, and liquid supplements that can be added to food. Probiotic-rich foods include yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kombucha, kimchi, miso, pickles, and buttermilk. Some dog food products also contain probiotics.
When starting your dog on a probiotic, they may experience some digestive issues such as diarrhoea, gas, bloating, or constipation. This is usually a sign of dietary change and should get better quickly. If it doesn't improve, stop feeding them the probiotic and consult your vet.
