Probiotics for Dogs

The Basics

The benefits of probiotics are well known. In the gut, probiotics are shown to help guard against chronic disease. The right product will support firmer stools, better skin condition, less itching, less allergies, reduced gas, plus improved overall wellness.*^(1,3,5)

Dog probiotics are different than human probiotics.

First, don't waste money giving your dog a human product or even yogurt. Amazon is flooded with human products claiming to be for pets, and yogurt contains ingredients inappropriate for dogs. Remember, probiotics are host specific, and what works for a human doesn't work best for a canine. Further, the balance of bacteria in a human's gut differs from that of a canine. Scientific research shows that these healthy bacteria help our dogs by supporting the main source of immune system, the gut.

To back this up, there are specific species appropriate for dogs based on scientific research. Nusentia also does a good job of identifying the difference between human probiotics and dog probiotics.

• Dog Probiotics: Understanding CFU & Dosage

It stands to reason, if you're going to invest in a probiotic supplement for your dog, make sure it's an appropriate one for your dog. The best probiotics for dogs bring numerous natural health benefits that accompany a healthy gut.

Which Probiotics Are Best?

• POWDERS OR TABLETS
  Powders and chewable tablets are considered superior to liquids and cooked treats. Liquid formulas are generally less stable and require refrigeration of the live organisms to survive. Further, cooked treats or food fortified with probiotics are known to provide very little live bacteria after the point of manufacture, according to a recent study.
• CHECK THE INGREDIENTS
  A dose of probiotic powder should be undetectable on your dog's food, so there's no need to load the formula up with fillers, flavors or undesirable byproducts. Also, a good probiotic will contain a prebiotic, such as, FOS.
• CHECK THE REVIEWS AND GUARANTEE
  A good product has stood the test of time. What are the pet owner's saying? Does the manufacturer provide a money-back guarantee? These are no-brainers. Amazon is a known to be a great resource for reviews.
• CHECK THE CFU AND SPECIES OF BACTERIA
  Picking a good probiotic requires an understanding of CFU, and bacteria. High volume/multi species formulas can be problematic for your dog's body, and there's little research to support the benefit of these formulas. Does the formula contain only 1 species of bacteria? That's not enough for your dog. Research supports between 3-7 species having benefit to dogs.
• For all the reasons above, we like Probiotic Miracle®

Why Probiotics for Dogs?

Most dogs are deficient in healthy flora. Here's why:

• Dogs on antibiotics will be deficient in healthy gut bacteria since antibiotics strip the gut of ALL bacteria.
• Senior dogs will naturally have a lower volume of healthy bacteria.
• Dogs fed processed dry kibble are susceptible to low healthy microflora.
• Drinking municpal water treated with chemicals
• Stress contributes to an imbalance in the microbiome (dog's gut).
• Puppies are born with probiotic deficiency as their guts sterile. Supplementing your puppy with probiotics early on may give them a "leg up" on fighting illness later on.

• Are Probiotics Good for Puppies
• 7 Signs Your Dog Needs Probiotics