The 5 Best Probiotics For Dogs
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Probiotics for dogs provide the same benefits as those for humans. They provide “friendly” microbes to aid in improved digestion. Many dogs benefit from probiotics, but how can you determine whether your dog is a good candidate for them? And which probiotics, out of all the products on the market right now, should you buy?
We can answer all of these questions and more about probiotics for dogs.
At a Glance: The Best Probiotics for Dogs to Buy
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below, where we have highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Probiotics For Dogs
EDITOR'S CHOICE  1. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder Digestive Supplement for Dogs | BEST FOR SENIORS  4. Nusentia Probiotic Miracle Premium Blend Dog & Cat Supplement | BEST FOR ALLERGIES  5. Zesty Paws Core Elements Probiotic Pumpkin Flavored Soft Chews Digestive Supplement for Dogs | ||
Count 30 | Count 30 | Count 30/80 | Count 44-131 g jar | Count 10-90 |
Form Powder | Form Powder | Form Capsule | Form Powder | Form Soft chew |
Life Stage Adult | Life Stage Adult | Life Stage Adult, Senior, Puppy | Life Stage Adult, Senior, Puppy | Life Stage Adult, Senior, Puppy |
Made in USA | Made in USA | Made in USA | Made in USA | Made in USA |
What Are Probiotics for Dogs?
As we mentioned, probiotics are friendly or helpful bacteria. Your dog’s gastrointestinal system has countless bacteria to help digest food. Most of the bacteria in your dog’s system are beneficial, although some of them are inevitably harmful. When your dog is healthy, active, and feeling good, it’s estimated that he will normally have about 80 percent beneficial bacteria and 20 percent harmful bacteria in his system.
However, it’s easy for a dog’s system to get out of balance. If your dog is stressed by traveling, by eating something noxious, by changing foods, by traveling, or by taking antibiotics or other prescription medications, the good bacteria in his digestive system can be wiped out or overtaken by the bad bacteria.
Then you have a dog with diarrhea or other health problems. Antibiotics, in particular, are known for killing off all of the microorganisms in a dog’s digestive system. Their very name, “antibiotics, means that they will kill off living organisms. Your dog can be left with a few microorganisms, but they can be the most harmful ones.
Yogurt and kefir are natural probiotics. Dogs can benefit from small amounts of these foods added to their daily diet. Or, you can purchase a probiotic that’s made for dogs.
Probiotics or Prebiotics?
Probiotics are bacteria. Live bacteria in the form of microorganisms are given to the dog (or human, cat, or farm animal), and there are benefits to the digestive system, immune system, and other parts of the body.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), probiotics are “live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”
Prebiotics are something else. First, they are not digestible or only poorly digestible, even though they are edible. They are nutrients that stimulate the growth of the microflora in the digestive tract. They are usually carbs and fibers. You probably eat many prebiotic foods every day without realizing it.
Bananas and apples, for example, are natural prebiotics.
You may also see something called fructooligosaccharides (FOS) listed in your dog food’s ingredients. This is a natural sugar that is often used as a prebiotic.
What Are the Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs?
Studies show that probiotics help produce digestive enzymes and improve digestion. Depending on your dog, this can help with problems such as irritable bowel disorder and diarrhea.
According to one Irish study, dogs supplemented with a strain of Bifidobacterium animalis shortened their experience of diarrhea from seven days to four. The need for antibiotic treatment was also eliminated by about 10 percent in dogs given a placebo.
Dogs that are prime candidates for probiotics include:
- Dogs that are under stress;
- After dogs have finished a course of antibiotics (it does no good to give your dog probiotics while he is still taking antibiotics since the medication will just kill the microorganisms),
- Dogs that have food allergies, sensitivities or digestive problems;
- Older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems
- Young puppies, to help build their immune system.
Most dogs can benefit from taking probiotics, but you can usually see a pronounced effect in the dogs mentioned here.
There are many anecdotal stories of how probiotics have helped dogs, but there has not been as much research on humans and probiotics yet.
More research is being done by companies like Purina.
It’s unclear right now whether your dog can benefit more from a probiotic that uses one strain or multiple strains of bacteria.
There is more research currently supporting one strain of bacteria, but some researchers prefer the idea of giving dogs multiple strains of bacteria in a probiotic. We’ll have to wait and see what future research shows.
Can You Give Your Dog Probiotics Made for Humans?
Many veterinarians and others will recommend that you give your dog probiotics that are made for humans, such as Culturelle and other products. PetMD.com says that there are no studies that show human probiotic supplements will harm your dog.
However, that site, which is written and reviewed by vets, recommends that you use a probiotic product with strains that your dog’s gut specifically needs.
Some veterinarians use human probiotics for their animals because they say that human products have better quality control.
Whether you give your dog a probiotic made for humans appears to be a personal decision right now.
Which Dog Probiotics Does Your Dog Need?
Common bacterial strains that are usually provided for dogs in probiotics include:
- Enterococcus faecium
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium animalis
- VSL#3
Some of these strains often appear on dog food labels. You can look for probiotic products that contain them.
When choosing a probiotic for your dog, there are a few things to look for.
- Look for products that are as fresh as possible. The product you are buying contains living organisms, even if they are sleeping or waiting to wake up in your dog’s digestive system. The fresher the product, the more organisms will still be alive when your dog consumes it. Always check the “Best By” or “Sell By” date.
- Choose a product with a high CFU (colony-forming units). You want your dog’s gut to have lots and lots of little happy bacterial colonies—billions of friendly bacteria.
- Powder, pill, or mixed with treats—choose the form that will work for your dog. Many people like to sprinkle probiotic powder on their dog’s food since some of these products are tasty.
- Pet supplements are not closely regulated. You can try to choose a safer product by looking for a label from the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC).
Best Probiotics For Dogs Reviewed
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder Digestive Supplement for Dogs
Product Info
- Count: 30
- Form: Powder
- Life Stage: Adult
- Made in: USA
- This is the leading probiotic brand for dogs;
- Vet-recommended;
- It works very well, especially for diarrhea.
- Contains fewer colony-forming units than some other products;
- Only contains one probiotic strain.
VAN BEEK Synacore Digestive Support for Dogs
Product Info
- Count: 30
- Form: Powder
- Life Stage: Adult
- Made in: USA
- Contains multiple bacterial strains;
- NASC seal of approval;
- Contains enzymes, prebiotics; and vitamins.
- If you only want a probiotic, this product will be too much for you and your dog;
- Some people prefer a single strain of bacteria.
Nutramax Laboratories Proviable DC for Cats and Dogs
Product Info
- Count: 30/80
- Form: Capsule
- Life Stage: Adult, Senior, Puppy
- Made in: USA
- Contains seven strains of friendly bacteria;
- Can be used short-term or long-term;
- The small capsules are easy to give your dog.
- For short-term use with acute cases of diarrhea you need to use with Proviable-KP paste;
- Some people prefer a probiotic that uses one strain of friendly bacteria.
Nusentia Probiotic Miracle Premium Blend Dog & Cat Supplement
Product Info
- Count: 44-131 g jar
- Form: Powder
- Life Stage: Adult, Senior, Puppy
- Made in: USA
- Contains six strains of friendly bacteria;
- Guten-free and non-GMO
- Each small serving contains a billion CFUs.
- The marketing for this product doesn’t inspire confidence but there are plenty of good reviews;
- If your dog weighs over 50 pounds you will need to double the daily serving.
Zesty Paws Core Elements Probiotic Pumpkin Flavored Soft Chews Digestive Supplement for Dogs
Product Info
- Count: 10-90
- Form: Soft chew
- Life Stage: Adult, Senior, Puppy
- Made in: USA
- Contains three billion CFUs per chew;
- Contains six strains of friendly bacteria.
- Made in the USA
- Made with pea flour and garbanzo flour – ingredients that are included in the FDA warning about grain free foods for dogs, though in these small amounts they probably won’t make a difference;
- The chews are pumpkin-flavored. We didn’t see any pumpkin in the ingredient list so this is simply a flavoring.
This is a powerful strain of Bacillus Coagulans that gets past your dog’s stomach acid to reach the intestines and promote healthy digestion and gut bacteria. These chews feature papaya to help with indigestion and to provide enzyme support. Papaya can help the stomach break down proteins and fats. Suitable for dogs of all ages.
Final Thoughts
Many dogs have benefited from taking probiotics for both short-term and long-term health. If your dog has an issue with diarrhea or gas, or if he’s taking antibiotics or feeling stressed for some reason, we think that probiotics are a good way to help your dog recover and feel better. There are a variety of brands on the market.
