Does your dog often get sick or suffers from digestive issues? Probably, you may have already heard the term ‘probiotics’ from the veterinarian if you had your dog checked up. But do you think it is indispensable?
In simple terms, probiotics refer to friendly or good bacteria residing in your pet’s digestive tract that generates proper digestion. Humans have this too. It also prevents many types of disease, including digestive and gastrointestinal illness. These probiotics come in different forms; it may come as dog foods, powders, capsules, and even yogurts.
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When choosing the best dog probiotics, you may want to consider reviewing some essential pointers to guide you since there are currently lots of options in the market. It is better to research and learn what type of probiotics are available.
How to Choose the Best Dog Probiotics?
To get the suitable probiotics your dog needs, make sure you regularly monitor your dog’s weight, check the quality of his stool, and observe his energy level. After completing those primary procedures, there are some essential things you need to pay attention to when choosing the appropriate probiotics. They are as follows:
Identification of the Live Bacteria Inside the Probiotics
It is necessary to know what kind of bacteria are present inside the probiotics you are going to buy. Some of these are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus Plantarum.
However, keep in mind that having several strains of good bacteria in one probiotics supplement doesn’t guarantee the level of effectiveness. There can be a possibility that too many live microorganisms may work against each other. It is better to have minimal strains.
Here are several ways to identify the live bacteria inside the Probiotics:
Check the notes of bacteria life span.
It is best to be guaranteed that the live bacteria will still make it before the shelf life comes to an end. The real effectivity of probiotics is to let the good bacteria reach the digestive tract of your dog fully alive, and so they can reproduce there. No matter how many live bacteria are contained in the probiotics product, it will be useless if they are dead during intake.
Check best before date.
This is pretty much important to check before buying the product. No dog owner would want to feed their pet an expired probiotics. It may instead cause an adverse reaction to your dog’s stomach, and this is also a waste of your money.
Look at the daily serving size.
When you have checked the regular serving size, try to ask your veterinarian if the serving size is appropriate for your dog. The serving sizes may vary due to the dog’s weight, size, and age. It is essential to do this to avoid overfeeding and other digestive issues.
Check out the storage instructions.
It is best to follow the storage instructions written on the product’s package. Some probiotics product requires cold and dry storages while others do not need refrigeration anymore.
Listed below are some brands of dog probiotics that you can consider purchasing for your dog.
Best Dog Probiotics
NUSENTIA Probiotics Miracle
Combats Yeast Overgrowth
Typically, a dog’s skin has yeast, but an abundance of it can lead to inflammation of the skin. Scales, flaky skin, redness, and itching are clinical signs of a yeast infection.
Nusentia combats not only digestive issues but also yeast infections that can cause your dog’s poor coat and skin allergies. It is made gluten-free, non-dairy, and no fillers. Servings can be up to 360 scoops of powder per jar.
Having a vacuum for pet hair can also significantly avoid the development of yeast in pet hair and skin.
Why We Like It:
- It also fights breath and odor problems
- Every jar of Nusentia contains 360 billion CFU of probiotics
- It is odorless and flavor-free
Pet Ultimates Probiotics for Dogs
Best for Recovery From Antibiotic Die-off
When your dog takes antibiotics, it can cause nausea and loss of appetite. Thus, it makes your pet less lively or inactive. A high dosage of medicines might also cause diarrhea.
Pet Ultimates support your dog in its recovery from antibiotic intakes. It can increase your dog’s appetite for food. It helps in digestion, skin health, and vitality.
Why We Like It:
- It is a custom-formulated product packed with 22 selected live microorganisms, including an enzyme for gassiness
- It is an odorless powder that can be mixed in every dog meal
- Contains 2 Billion CFUs in every scoop
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Probiotics Dog Supplement
Improves the Dietary Management of Dogs with Diarrhea
These probiotics help prevent diarrhea-causing pathogens in your dog’s stomach. The ingredients present in this product significantly promotes healthy intestines and boost your dog’s immune system. It also stabilizes the intestinal microflora into its normal state.
If your dogs are experiencing symptoms of diarrhea, it is best that you prepare a carpet for pets and a pet carpet cleaner shampoo for the mess. Then immediately take them to a veterinary clinic for medical attention.
Why We Like It:
- It is safe for both adult dogs and puppies
- Easy to use
- Can be mixed with wet dog food
VetriScience Laboratories – Vetri Mega Probiotics
Prevents Flatulence and Constipation
Vetri Mega capsuled probiotics prevents the accumulation of gas in your dog’s alimentary canal. It yields 5 billion microorganisms per capsule containing eight types of good bacteria. Aside from preventing constipation, it also lessens food sensitivities and allergies.
Why We Like It:
- There are 120 – 180 capsules per bottle
- Improves immune system
- Lessens issues of allergies and food sensitivities
PetVitalityPRO Probiotics for Dogs
Blended with Antioxidants and Phytonutrients
Apart from fighting digestive diseases, it is also rich in green superfood, which prevents allergies of skin and coat, boosts the immune system, and stops bad breath. Maqui berry extract, Kale, Oat grass, Barley grass, Alfalfa grass, Wheatgrass, Spirulina, and Chlorella are some of these green Superfoods. On the other hand, Papaya is a rich source of digestive enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
PetVitalityPRO Probiotics’ active ingredients include a combination of probiotics and prebiotic. It has a 4 billion colony forming unit. This is also recommended for dogs on antibiotic treatments and steroids, dogs having an immunity deficiency, and dogs in training and travel.
Why We Like It:
- It comes in soft and chewable sizes like a dog treat
- Every jar contains 60 – 150 soft chews
- The price is affordable and has a lot of health benefits
PetHonesty Probiotics for Dogs
Heals Damaged Gastrointestinal Walls
Due to poor and unhealthy digestion, the digestive walls may be damaged. These probiotics promote proper digestion, reduces pain and upset stomachs, relieves constipation, and diarrhea. It is also responsible for ensuring your pet’s GI tract in its regular activity.
PetHonesty probiotics contain 6 billion CFUs for every serving. Four lactobacillus strains are combined to ensure better digestive health. Also, six enzyme blend is included to advance nutrient absorption by breaking down the food molecules into smaller portions.
Why We Like It:
- Pumpkin is one of its natural ingredients; it is loaded with fiber to promote proper digestion.
- It is designed into leaf-shaped chews for more manageable feeding activity.
- Carrots, flaxseeds, and sweet potatoes are its natural superfood base.
Nutri-Vet Pre and Probiotics Soft Chew
Dry Fermentation of Products
The three strains of good live bacteria, namely: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Enterococcus thermophiles are processed into dry fermentation. The entire microorganism colony-forming unit is 1 billion.
Nutri-Vet is a combination of prebiotic and probiotics, which makes it more effective. It aids the immune system and digestive system to become robust and healthy.
Why We Like It:
- It is safe for different dog sizes and ages, from puppy to aging dogs
- There are 120 chews in one container
- It features two different flavors: liver and cheese
Amazing Nutritionals Probiotics for Dogs
Probiotics for Hip and Joint Support
These probiotics expand its benefits other than supporting the digestive system. It includes food supplements, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin, which significantly promote healthy bones and joints to increase mobility and reduce inflammations due to your dog’s daily activity.
It is also rich in vitamins, omega three fish oil salmon. There are 7 billion CFUs present in every chew, including pet enzymes that sufficiently reduces diarrhea and flatulence.
Why We Like It:
- Every bottle contains 120 soft chewable tablets
- The available flavors are bacon and liver
- Recommended for dogs who had undergone antibiotic treatments
NaturVet – Advanced Probiotics & Enzymes
Includes PB6 Probiotics
What does PB6 probiotics individually do? They prevent colon inflammation and bowel disease as it travels through the gastrointestinal tract of your dog. Most likely, it also addresses issues like stomach sensitivities and intestinal imbalance.
Why We Like It:
- These soft chews counts from 70 to 120 per jar
- The price is suitable for the number of chews
Pawlife Probiotics for Dogs
A Mixture of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Enzymes
With this 3-in-1 formula, it will promote a balanced gastrointestinal tract. It resolves flatulence, diarrhea, skin allergies, yeast infections, hot spots, and bad breath. This probiotics is in soft chew form.
Pawlife probiotics contain 2 billion CFUs in every chew. Provide your dog a daily consumption for 4-6 weeks straight to gain the best results.
Why We Like It:
- The price is low compared to the other mentioned brands
- There are 120 chews per bottle
- Available in Chicken flavor
Deley Naturals Probiotics for Dogs
Blended with Six Digestive Enzymes
Formulated with prebiotics, probiotics, and six digestive enzymes, Deley’s natural probiotics can restore your dog’s digestive health and further boost its immune system. The absorption of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients is made accessible because of the essential enzymes present in this product.
It contains 4 billion CFUs in every chewable bite. Constipation, bloating, flatulence, loose stool, anal gland issues, and skin allergies can also be avoided with constant use of this probiotics.
Why We Like It:
- It is a chicken-flavored dog treat
- Since it has prebiotics, it can quickly increase the reproduction of good bacteria and promote a healthy GI tract
- It contains 120 grain-free chews in one bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When Are Probiotics Used?
Answer: It can be used as a daily supplement or when your dog is sick or stressed. Some pet owners give their dog supplements daily to balance their digestive health and immune system continually.
Q: Are probiotics effective?
Answer: Individual success stories of pet owners duly support the effectiveness of probiotics. There are little to no side effect complaints since veterinarians and scientists carefully study it.
Q: Is it safe for my dog to take probiotics meant for humans?
Answer: Since then, no studies are proving human probiotics can be harmful to dogs. However, veterinarians, who have been studying in this field, encourages pet owners to give probiotics specifically designed for dogs. Remember that the digestive system of humans and dogs are different.
Q: Is it possible for my dog to suffer from diarrhea after probiotics intake?
Answer: Yes, there is a chance for diarrhea to take place. This is due to the adjustments of your dog’s stomach or digestive tract. When the good bacteria from the probiotics come in the digestive system, it also eliminates the harmful bacteria at the same time.
Q: What are the foods containing naturally occurring probiotics?
Answer: These are yogurt, buttermilk, soft cheese, and kefir. All of these are proven to do well with your dog’s digestive health.
Final Thoughts
Remember to monitor your dog’s health as frequently as possible. Also, pay attention to your furry friend’s little gestures that may tell you what they may be feeling. In this way, you can immediately address their needs.
Never hesitate to talk to your dog’s veterinarian to know the best remedy for your dog’s health issues. They are sure to see the type of probiotics your dog needs, the appropriate dosage level, and the frequency of probiotics intake.
Just like humans, dogs also need supplements in their bodies. As their family, it is better to ensure them with good health for a long and happy life.