Dr. Lindsey Bullen, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), and Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist®
Veterinarian Contribution
The dog supplement market has exploded in recent years as pet parents have become more conscious of their dog’s health due to the worldwide pandemic. One particular supplement that is gaining more popularity is probiotics.
The research behind the health benefits of taking a daily probiotic for humans is promising so it’s no wonder, as pet parents, we are in search of the best probiotics for dogs too.
I spoke to Dr. Lindsey Bullen, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), and Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® to better understand probiotics for dogs and what to look out for when buying one.
Best Probiotics For Dogs
When choosing between the best probiotics for dogs, Dr. Bullen recommends choosing one that is well-tested. More specifically, the company should be able to provide documentation pertaining to safety, efficacy, and quality control measures.
Dr. Bullen explains, “many studies unfortunately show that most commercial probiotics do not have live bacteria (as advertised) or contain less colony forming units than advertised.”
Below are my personal top choices of dog probiotics. Each of the dog probiotics included below has the largest CFU count and includes the most amount of strains available on the market.
In addition, I reached out to every company to confirm they perform QC testing on each of their products and the label is accurate.
Support for the blog comes from using the affiliate links below. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission on purchases. Thank you in advance.
1. Pet Honesty Probiotic Soft Chews
Pet Honesty Probiotic Soft Chews
Features:
- Each serving contains 6 billion CFUs
- Contains 7 bacteria strains
- Also has digestive enzymes to aid digestion
- Made in a GMP facility
- Natural duck flavor
- National animal supplement council quality seal
- Chewable tablets
- Made in the USA
2. Nutramax Proviable DC
Nutramax Proviable – DC
Features:
- Each serving contains 5 billion CFUs
- Contains 7 bacteria strains
- Also has prebiotics which feeds the live bacteria
- Comes in capsules that can be sprinkled on your dog’s food
- Powder form
- Unflavoured
- For both cats and dogs
- Comes in 30, 60 or 80 count blister pack
- Made in the UK
3. Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites
Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites
Features:
- Each serving contains 6 billion CFUs
- Contains 6 bacterial strains
- Contains natural digestive enzymes from papaya ingredient
- NASC Quality Seal
- Comes in 90, 180 and 250 count tubs
- Pumpkin flavor
- Made in the USA
What are dog probiotics?
The word probiotic is derived from the Latin word “for” (pro) and the Greek “life” (bio). Probiotics are live, healthy bacteria and yeasts that naturally live in the digestive tract (GI tract) of animals and humans and play a key role in your dog’s digestive system and their overall gut health.
It’s important to note that the scientific research behind the health benefits of dog probiotics is very slim with only a few studies being performed. However, veterinarians have seen promising results when prescribing a probiotic for dogs experiencing digestive issues.
Dr. Bullen notes that the typical reasons why a veterinarian may prescribe a dog probiotic include:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Intestinal dysbiosis
- Underlying GI disease (inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal lymphoma, etc.)
If your dog is already healthy and eating a balanced diet, you are unlikely to see any noticeable effects when giving them a probiotic.
What are the benefits of giving your dog a probiotic?
Dr. Bullen explains that all animals have different bacteria and yeasts living in their GI tracts. The hope is that there is a balance between the “good”/ beneficial bacteria and “bad”/ less beneficial bacteria.
“Certain pets may not have optimal concentrations and/or proportions of the different species (this mismatch can result in a condition referred to as intestinal dysbiosis),” explains Dr. Bullen. “There are many diseases, medications, etc. that can predispose pets to dysbiosis. These pets in particular can benefit from probiotics formulated by a reputable company.”
Causes of your dog’s poor gut health
Common causes of your dog’s digestive health decreasing and why they may need a probiotic is if they:
Have recently completed a course of antibiotics
Antibiotics wipe out both the healthy and bad bacteria in your dog’s gut which is why the healthy beneficial bacteria needs to be added back through a probiotic.
Have pre-existing digestive problems
Some dogs (like humans) just naturally have a poor digestive system which makes breaking down their food and absorbing the nutrients more challenging for them.
Ingest a pathogen on their walk
As we all know, dogs love to get their noses into lots of different things on their walks. One way to increase the bad bacteria in their gut is simply by ingesting it on their walks.
Are anxious or stressed
If you’ve ever had to give a presentation or speak in public you may have noticed this caused you to have an upset tummy. Dogs are no different. When they are stressed or anxious the ratio of good to bad bacteria can be thrown off.
Have a change in their diet
Switching out a dog’s regular diet for a different one, eg. replacing one brand of kibble with another can lead to a decrease in good bacteria and an increase in bad bacteria.
6 symptoms of poor gut health
The symptoms below are common of poor gut health but could also be symptoms of other underlying health conditions. If you are at all concerned about your dog’s health you should take them to the vet.
1. Have diarrhea / loose stool
Diarrhea is a very common sign that your dog’s digestive system is trying to combat bad bacteria or a virus. Your dog is trying to eliminate whatever it is as fast as possible which is why the stool is loose.
2. Gets sick often
If your dog often gets sick it’s likely because they have a weak immune system. As 70% of the immune system is found in the gut, promoting a healthy gut flora with a probiotic could help dogs who often get sick.
3. Excessive gas / bloating
Excessive gas is another symptom of poor digestion. A poor bacterial balance in your dog’s intestines can lead to excessive gas and bloating.
4. Low energy
Low energy is also a sign of your dog having poor gut health. If they are unable to properly break down their food and get the nutrients and energy from their diet they can become sluggish and lethargic.
5. Skin allergies
Research in human probiotics has shown that skin allergies such as inflammation and rashes are caused by the bacteria found in the gut (more specifically the intestinal microbiome). It has also shown the intestinal microbiome (the bacteria found in the intestines) can help repair damaged skin which can be supported by taking probiotics.
6. Bad breath
An abundance of bad bacteria in the small intestine can cause an unpleasant smell on your dog’s breath. This is a condition known as SIBO – small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Taking probiotic supplements has been shown to combat this.
What to look when purchasing dog probiotics
What are CFUs?
CFU stands for Colony Forming Units and is a measure of the live and active bacteria in a probiotic serving. The higher the CFU count, the more bacteria found in the probiotic. It is important to check the CFU count when buying a probiotic for your dog so if they don’t include this, don’t purchase it.
What are probiotic strains?
Strains are the different types of bacteria species found in the dog probiotic. You may have heard of different strains of a virus such as E-Coli or influenza, bacterial strains are a similar concept. Each strain will provide a different benefit so it’s important to purchase a dog probiotic with multiple strains. The different strains to look out for and the ones normally found in a dog’s gut are:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Enterococcus faecium
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Lactobacillus casei
- Bifidobacterium breve
Final thoughts
When choosing between the best probiotics for dogs, Dr. Bullen recommends discussing with your dog’s veterinarian whether a probiotic is recommended and which one is the most suitable for your pup. Dr Bullen explains, “since pets are unique individuals, one probiotic may not be ideal for all pets.”
The small amount of research behind dog probiotics seems to be promising and many pet parents are confirming the health benefits in their dogs. Probiotics are a great way to help promote gut health. They can reduce diarrhea, anxiety, bad breath, poor immune systems and skin allergies.
When selecting probiotics for your dog, it is important to read the label to check for CFUs and probiotic strains. With the correct probiotic supplement, you can help your dog maintain a healthy gut and boost their overall health.
Article sources
- Dr. Lindsey Bullen, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), and Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® – Interview
- Cohen, S. (2021). If you want to boost immunity, look to the gut.
- Lee, H., et al. (2022). Skin Barrier Function and the Microbiome. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9654002/
- AKC (2022). Probiotics for Dogs.
