Probiotics for Dogs: Are They Worth It for Your Pet?
Key takeaways:
Probiotics are dietary supplements that contain beneficial bacteria naturally found in the digestive tract. However, few scientific studies support the health benefits of probiotics in dogs.
Issues with oversight, manufacturing, and product labeling make it challenging to ensure that commercial dog probiotics provide any health benefits.
When shopping for a canine probiotic, look for packaging that identifies the contents, has an expiration date, guarantees the number of live bacteria at expiration, and lists bacterial species and strains.
Table of contents
Like humans, dogs have billions of healthy bacteria living in their gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria aid in the digestion of food, produce essential nutrients, and help fight off infection. So, when your dog experiences diarrhea or other digestive issues, you may wonder if probiotics could help.
Probiotics are dietary supplements. They contain billions of beneficial bacteria naturally found in the digestive tract.
Probiotics have been a huge success in the human health market and have become increasingly popular for pets as well. But are they worth it for your dog?
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Are probiotics good for dogs?
Long story short, we don’t know. Some pet owners swear by probiotics, like other supplements. However, more research and quality control are needed. Until then, it is best not to use probiotics in healthy dogs unless directed by your veterinarian.
Few studies have documented the health benefits of probiotics for dogs. This means we don’t really have good scientific evidence that probiotics work for dogs. They just might not be worth the money.
That said, canine probiotics are widely used to treat gas and diarrhea in dogs. They are also often recommended for dogs with various digestive diseases. And just like with people, veterinarians often recommend probiotics for dogs following antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics often get rid of good bacteria in the digestive tract, so probiotics are prescribed to replace these bacteria.
Some research suggests that canine probiotics may also help with:
Kidney function
Liver function
Allergy-related skin conditions
Immune function
Bad breath
Weight management
Researchers continue to test what other conditions probiotics may help with.
What are the best probiotics for dogs?
The best probiotics depend on your dog’s health needs. Every dog is different. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a product containing bacterial strains that target your dog’s specific needs.
To get the most benefit from a probiotic supplement, look for the following information on any product you buy:
A probiotic containing 1 to 10 billion CFUs: Buy a probiotic containing 1 to 10 billion CFUs per daily serving. This refers to the number of bacteria in the probiotic.
A list of the specific bacterial species and strains: The health benefits vary among different species and strains of bacteria. You can choose a supplement with a particular bacteria depending on what you are treating.
Other contents in the supplement: This way, you know what else is in the probiotic. Probiotics may also contain yeast, enzymes, minerals, and vitamins.
An expiration date: The live bacteria is the reason you are buying the probiotic. But this live bacteria limits the shelf life of the product to a few months. Check for an expiration date on any probiotic you buy. This will tell you when the supplements are no longer effective.
Name and contact information of the product manufacturer: This ensures that you can contact the manufacturer directly if you have questions about the supplement.
Finally, read and follow the storage recommendations. You should store probiotics properly since exposure to air, moisture, or extreme temperatures can damage product effectiveness.
How do you give your dog probiotics?
You can give probiotics in a few different forms.
Powders and liquids are easy to mix with your dog’s food. These options are great if your dog is suspicious of traditional pill pockets.
Capsules can be opened and mixed with food or hidden inside a pill pocket or peanut butter and fed whole. (Make sure the peanut butter does not contain artificial sweetener or added salt.)
Chews are usually flavored and given as you would a dog treat.
Your dog’s body absorbs probiotics differently depending on the form, so ask your vet which type would be best. Because live bacteria are sensitive to air, moisture, and temperature, some probiotic products are sold in individual serving packets.
Keep in mind that if your dog is healthy, a probiotic might not be necessary. Some experts do not recommend the routine use of probiotics in healthy animals.
Should dogs have probiotics with certain types of bacteria?
When shopping for a canine probiotic, it’s essential to look for a product that contains bacteria most commonly found in the canine gut. Look specifically for the following types of bacteria:
Lactobacillus acidophilus: This may help maintain the balance of “good” bacteria and prevent disease-causing bacteria. Many commercial products contain this bacteria.
Enterococcus faecium: Some research suggests that this bacteria may positively affect dogs with intestinal health issues.
Bifidobacterium lactis and Bifidobacterium breve: These may help prevent antibiotic-related diarrhea.
Lactobacillus casei: This may play a role in mood and emotions.
Keep in mind that bacteria may be labeled on probiotic supplements using an abbreviation. For example, the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species are often simply displayed on packaging as B. or L. So you might see B. longum or L. acidophilus.
Can dogs take human probiotics?
No. You should not give human probiotics to your dog. The human gut flora is very different from a dog’s gut flora. The bacteria in human probiotics are meant to strengthen the human intestinal tract, not a dog’s. You may also see information online about giving your dog yogurt, kefir, and other human products that contain probiotics. It’s generally not a good idea to try this with your pup.
Many human supplements and products contain ingredients that can be hazardous to dogs, such as added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Some artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, are toxic to dogs. Stick to dog-specific products to ensure there’s less risk to your pup.
What are the side effects of probiotics for dogs?
Since there is limited scientific research on probiotics for dogs, we don’t know much about potential side effects.
However, some dog owners have reported the following reactions:
Stomach upset
Diarrhea
Bloating
Gas
Although rare, these side effects are more common when dogs first start taking a probiotic supplement. Always consult your veterinarian before starting your dog on any new health supplement, including probiotics.
Risks of probiotics for dogs
There are other reasons to be skeptical about dog probiotics:
Probiotics aren’t regulated. Pet supplements are not regulated by the FDA or any other organization. The lack of oversight means that companies aren’t required to follow strict manufacturing and product labeling guidelines. So, one probiotic can be very different from the same probiotic made by a different company. Or what a company says it puts in its supplements may not be there at all.
The labels on probiotic supplements are often wrong. One study examined the bacteria in eight veterinary probiotics and five human probiotics. Of all 13 products, only two contained accurate labels. In another instance, the bacterial species in canine probiotics were incorrectly identified in 35% of the products.
The bacteria in probiotics might not be helpful to dogs. Studies found that most probiotics for sale only had small amounts of bacteria useful to a dog’s body.
Some bacteria in probiotic supplements can be harmful. Other research shows that some bacteria in probiotics could potentially cause the spread of dangerous diseases in animals and humans.
When should you give your dog probiotics?
It’s best to give your dog probiotics only after consulting your veterinarian. After reviewing your pet’s health history, they may prescribe a specific probiotic for your dog.
Probiotic supplements are all designed to increase the growth of healthy bacteria in your dog’s body. But they are not all the same. Since probiotics differ, you should only give your pup a probiotic recommended by your veterinarian.
How long does it take for a probiotic to start working in dogs?
When you start your dog on a new supplement, you may not notice a change immediately. All dogs are different and react differently to any new supplement. Some dogs might feel effects in 1 or 2 days. Others might take 6 weeks to show any change, or the probiotics might not work at all.
If your dog shows any negative side effects that don’t clear up within a day, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
How long should a dog be on probiotics?
Since studies on probiotics and dogs are limited, there is not enough information to determine how long dogs should take these supplements. Check with your veterinarian for how long your dog should take probiotics.
The bottom line
Probiotics are supplements containing beneficial bacteria that naturally live in a dog’s digestive tract. Research suggests that these bacteria may assist with many bodily functions, such as digestion and immunity. Recently, probiotics have received much attention in the pet-health industry.
However, poor quality control and lack of oversight make choosing a probiotic for your dog difficult. There is some evidence that probiotics help dogs with digestive issues. But there isn’t enough research to know whether or not probiotics are actually helpful for dogs. If you’re wondering whether probiotics might be right for your dog, check with your veterinarian. They can give you advice based on your dog’s specific health needs.
Why trust our experts?
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