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For dogs, a healthy gut hinges on the balance of good and bad bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract. Temporary shifts in the microbial balance can cause minor problems like diarrhea and gas. If the balance stays poor over time, more serious issues can arise. Your dog will be less able to absorb nutrients, which can mean significant health problems.
Probiotics for dogs have been marketed as solution to chronic stomach troubles. But what are they, and how do they work? If you’re curious to know whether your dog might benefit from a probiotic—or if your veterinarian recommends it and you’re wondering which brand is best—we’re here to help.
To learn more, we spoke to Kimberly Gauthier, CPCN, a certified professional canine nutritionist for Keep the Tail Wagging. We review the basics of probiotics and prebiotics for dogs, how they work, and what to look for when shopping for them.
What Are Dog Probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms—largely bacteria and yeast—that occur naturally in the digestive tract of humans and animals like your dog. They’re the beneficial microorganisms that support healthy microbial balance in the gut. By outcompeting harmful microbes, probiotics promote overall health and help optimize digestion.
The term “probiotic” also refers to dietary supplements that contain microorganisms shown to support gut health.
Outside of nutritional supplements, probiotics can also be found in certain foods—primarily fermented foods. These foods are preserved using a process called lactofermentation. That means bacteria convert the sugar in the food into lactic acid. The acidic environment is hospitable to beneficial bacteria but hostile to the mold and fungus that cause food to spoil.
Examples of probiotic-rich foods include sauerkraut, tempeh, kombucha, kefir, kimchi, miso, pickles, and buttermilk. One of the best food sources for probiotics is yogurt.
How probiotics for dogs work
According to Kimberly Gauthier, CPCN, probiotics for dogs “introduce gut-friendly bacteria, which leads to a robust immune system, improved digestive health, reduced allergy symptoms, and reduced inflammation.”
Like probiotics for humans, dog probiotics help beneficial gut bacteria thrive. That in turn helps a dog’s body break down and absorb nutrients. Experts also agree that the majority of immune cells are housed in the gut of mammals. So it makes sense that a healthy gut might boost immunity and promote disease prevention.
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Both human probiotics and dog probiotics offer the same theoretical benefits, though there’s a larger body of scientific evidence behind probiotics for humans. For dogs specifically, some research supports the use of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of acute gastroenteritis, IBD, and allergies. More research is required to assess their potential impact on overall health.
So if human and dog probiotics are so similar, can you just share? Not exactly. It’s true that one particular bacterial strain, Lactobacillus acidophilus, is the most common in probiotics for both people and pets. But dog probiotic supplements will differ slightly in form and formulation. Strain, sourcing, quality, and dosage are likely to be different, according to Gauthier.
What Are Dog Prebiotics?
If probiotics are beneficial microorganisms, prebiotics are the compounds they feed on. They support a hospitable gut environment. Prebiotics are often found in plant foods that can’t be fully digested, so they pass all the way through the gastrointestinal tract to the colon where probiotics can access them.
Foods with good prebiotics are typically high in fiber and can generally be divided into three categories: resistant starches, inulin, and pectin.
Resistant starches are carbohydrates the body has a particularly difficult time digesting. Dog-friendly examples include potatoes, oats, rice, beans, and legumes. Inulin is a type of fiber found in certain vegetables like dandelion greens, chicory root, and soybeans. Pectin is a kind of gel-like starch found primarily in fruit like apples, peaches, and raspberries.
In your dog’s body, prebiotics work in harmony with probiotics. Digestive supplements for dogs may include both probiotics and prebiotics, though standalone prebiotic supplements are less common. However, dog foods enriched with probiotics typically also contain prebiotic fibers like inulin.
How Do I Know If My Dog Needs a Probiotic?
While every dog benefits from healthy microbial balance, not all dogs need probiotic supplements. Generally speaking, a healthy dog fed an appropriate diet shouldn’t require probiotics to maintain a sufficient colony of beneficial bacteria in their gut.
“Signs that a dog can benefit from a probiotic include allergy symptoms and digestive issues,” Gauthier explains.
Your veterinarian may also recommend probiotics when stress, illness, or medical treatments are likely to affect your dog’s gut health. The prime example is a dog taking antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection, because such medications may reduce the population of good as well as bad bacteria in the body.
Here are some signs your dog might benefit from a probiotic supplement:
- They suffer from mild to moderate allergy symptoms such as itchy skin, recurrent ear infections, overgrooming, or hair loss.
- You’ve noticed a change in their stool color, consistency, or odor.
- They experience occasional gastrointestinal symptoms such as loose stools, diarrhea, and flatulence.
- Your vet has prescribed a round of oral antibiotic medications.
- They’re losing weight despite eating an appropriate diet (and your vet has ruled out underlying conditions).
- You anticipate an upcoming source of stress (like boarding or an extended visit from an unfamiliar house guest).
As with any supplement, it’s best to consult your veterinarian before giving your dog probiotics. Gauthier also warns that probiotic supplements may initially cause gas or diarrhea. “Starting at a lower dosage than recommended can assuage these symptoms,” she adds.
What Are the Best Dog Probiotics?
When buying probiotics for dogs, it’s important to evaluate both the quality and effectiveness of the product. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.
To narrow down the options, Gauthier recommends limiting your search to probiotics that contain species-specific bacterial strains (strains naturally found in a dog’s body). The probiotics with the strongest scientific support for dogs include Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria strains. Some evidence suggests that Lactobacillus rhamnosus may be particularly effective in decreasing allergy symptoms.
As you’re comparing products, don’t forget to check the label for inactive ingredients. Gauthier recommends “products that don’t contain many unnecessary or synthetic ingredients.”
It’s also important to choose a brand that has a strong reputation. Read third-party reviews to gauge customer satisfaction with the product and to see how other dogs responded to it.
Some of the most popular probiotic brands for dogs include the following:
If your veterinarian recommends long-term treatment, it may be appropriate to switch your dog’s diet to a dog food product that contains probiotics. Another option is to use probiotic-rich foods like yogurt or kefir as a meal topper or mixer. To boost your dog’s prebiotic intake, consider fiber-rich mix-ins like canned pumpkin or wheat grass.
How to administer probiotics
Probiotics for dogs come in several forms including powders, capsules, and chews. If your dog doesn’t like taking pills, a probiotic soft chew may be the easiest to administer. Probiotic powder supplements can be disguised by mixing them into your dog’s food.
The recommended dosage for dog probiotics depends on the type of product as well as the concentration of bacteria (measured in colony forming units or CFUs). Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and dose according to your dog’s age and weight. Remember, it’s best to start with a low dose to give your dog’s body time to adjust.
Probiotics are most effective when administered daily. Even so, it may take several weeks to notice any significant benefit. Be sure to store the probiotics as directed and note whether the product needs to be administered with food.
