Probiotics for Dogs

To Refrigerate or Not to Refrigerate...

Do probiotics need to be refrigerated? 

Why are some probiotics sold refrigerated and others not? 

Ironically, refrigeration and probiotics is a "hot" topic. The answer has to do with the stability and form of the particular probiotic.

You may also ask yourself, "if a probiotic needs to be refrigerated to be viable, then what are the chances that the bacteria will survive in the body?"

Why Refrigerate Probiotics?

Refrigeration can extend the life of the microorganisms contained in your probiotic supplement.

That said, not all probiotic supplements need to be refrigerated after purchase to be efficacious. In some cases, refrigeration is NOT recommended due to exposure to moisture as long as it is not exposed to excessive heat (above 75 degrees fahrenheit).

While liquid probiotic products most definitely require refrigeration, powder, capsule, or tablet form probiotics usually do not. Read the label of your product for storage guidelines.

Note: This does not apply to probiotics contained in dairy cultures or other food items that spoil even with refrigeration.

Freezing Probiotics

Freezing probiotics should be avoided as the extreme cold temperatures damage the cell walls of the microorganisms.

Proper storage

Keep probiotics away from moisture, air, and harsh conditions. Store probiotics in a dark, cool, dry place for best results.

Why are some probiotics sold refrigerated?

The reason some probiotics are sold in the refrigerator section may be one or both of the following reasons:

• The probiotic supplement contains unstable microorganisms that require very low temperatures.
• Refrigeration on the store shelf slows the probiotic die off rate prior to being purchased.

Stability

Unstable Probiotics

Certain probiotics, depending on the way they are manufactured become unstable in higher temperatures. Probiotics may need to be kept in refrigeration because the microorganisms have significant die off at around 60 degrees fahrenheit. When the unstable probiotic is removed from refrigeration and comes in contact with the body, it usually dies in the stomach before it can reach the intestine.

The intestines are where probiotics need to travel in order to do their job. Unfortunately, there is no real way to know for sure if a product is stable by looking at the label or checking for refrigeration because every product makes claims. The good news is... most manufacturers employ standard practices to stabilize their microorganisms, and, there is no placebo effect with dogs, so you'll see results with the probiotics, if they're stable, or you won't.

Probiotics need to be able to pass through the stomach acid and bile so they can seed the intestine, where they multiply and do their work. Certain species and strains are naturally too weak or unstable to survive without refrigeration.

Stable Probiotics

A stable probiotic is the the right probiotic for dogs. A stable probiotic is a higher quality supplement and does not need to be refrigerated to be viable. Two elements determine stability for probiotics:

1) The right species are selected.
2) Key manufacturing techniques to ensure stability, such as, freeze-drying (common for powder formulas).

How probiotics are stabilized

Dry probiotic powder has had the moisture from the microorganisms removed with low temperature and pressure placing the bacteria in a state of suspended animation. This makes the product ideal for long term storage without damaging the delicate structure of the bacteria. Special manufacturing measures are taken to add further resilience to the microorganisms and ensure survival through shipping, storage, and ingestion.

How dry powders work

When the dry probiotic powder is put in contact with your dog's food, the stomach naturally reconstitutes the bacteria and it becomes available for implantation in the gut of your pet.

Probiotic shelf-life

Generally, the most efficacy can be gained during the first 6 months after manufacture. Usually, a powder formula is good for about a year from manufacture, with a steadily declining rate of die-off following. This is why it is good to only purchase the amount of probiotics you can reasonably use within 6 months.

Summary

A good, shelf-stable probiotic powder will not require refrigeration and will not need to be kept cold to be viable.