Probiotics for Dogs: Everything You Need to Know for Your Best Friend’s Gut Health

You want to give your family members the best lives possible. That sentiment goes without saying for your puppers. Sometimes, our four-legged loved ones are better than our two-legged ones. So, why not give them the best care possible? That’s why probiotics for dogs have grown in popularity. Let’s take a closer look at these supplements for dogs and which bacteria strains might work best for your furbaby.

Why Probiotics for Dogs?

They may look a little different, but dogs aren’t much different than us. Their bodies are supported by bones and muscles. Blood pumps from their heart to various parts of their system.

Oh, and they have trillions of microbes that influence everything from digesting food to their anxiety attacks when you leave for work.

Probiotics for dogs have become common among pet owners because gut health has made its way to the forefront of wellness. Many realize what’s good for us is probably adequate for a dog. After all, they eat many of the same foods we do. Why wouldn’t subpar dietary choices wreak havoc on their GI tract, as it does to us?

Benefits of Dog Probiotics

Just as many humans are turning to probiotics supplements, veterinarians are suggesting probiotics may be beneficial for your puppykins, too.

American Kennel Club (AKC) veterinary expert, Jerry Klein, DVM, spoke to petMD,

“They are believed to help treat and/or prevent a variety of illnesses and diseases, especially those related to the gastrointestinal system,” he explains. They inhibit the growth and activity of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens, as well as provide other advantages to the intestines 1.”

– Jerry Klein, DVM

One study looked at the microbiomes of canines 2. The analysis noted how there was a relevant connection between the immune system and a dog’s gut health.

The analysis explained,

“Probiotic bacteria can produce various antimicrobial substances, for example fatty acids, lactic acid and acetic acid…The effects (again mostly shown in vitro, but also in some animal models of inflammation) include maintenance and fortification of tight junctions, prolonging the survival of IECs and induction of IgA and β‐defensin production.”

– Vet Med Sci.

This research makes probiotics for dogs a promising option for pups with easily upset stomachs. It may also serve as a preventative measure for more debilitating conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Disorder (IBD).

Best Probiotics for Dogs

Any time you make a massive change to your pet’s routine, such as probiotics for dogs, please speak to a veterinarian. The world of supplementing stomach bacteria to dogs is still new. There isn’t much research out there.

However, many veterinarians are getting on-board due to the minimal risk of probiotics. With that being said, the word “risk” is there. That’s why it’s pivotal to talk to a vet about probiotics for dogs before you start administering them to your loved one.

Now, if you are to get probiotics for dogs, there are a few stomach bacteria strains you may want in their formula. Here are the best intestinal flora for dogs.

Bacillus subtilis

This bacteria strain can also have your dog ready to take best in show. These intestinal flora have shown to improve the quality of life of dogs.

A controlled study with 16 beagles saw,

“Dog food supplementation with Calsporin (Bacillus subtilis C-3102) at 1 × 109 CFU/kg improved faecal quality, enhanced fat and carbohydrate digestibility, and contributed to the gut health of dogs by reducing gut ammonia and increasing SCFA content 4.”

– Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition

For those who want to up Bacillus subtilis intake for your dog, feed them natto. This fermented soy protein is actually a common ingredient in Japanese dog food. As always, speak to a vet before introducing new foods into your dog’s diet.

Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Lactobacillus plantarum

They can maintain hydrochloric acid in the stomach and colonize the colon. One study with 16 German Shepards and 16 Yorkshires found that this intestinal flora had about a 45% survival rate in the GI tract 6.

Furthermore, this strain demonstrated strong antibacterial properties. The study noted that there was almost a 2mm radius surrounding these intestinal flora.

While 2mm doesn’t sound like a lot, when you’re talking about microbes, you might as well call it miles! Therefore, Lactobacillus plantarum keeps pathogenic bacteria at bay.

Bifidobacterium

Bifidobacterium bifidum

This bacteria is one of the most common in your dog’s system.

So, if you’re looking to improve their gut health, add more of what actually helps them thrive.

Bifidobacterium animalis

The name alone sounds like something an animal may need. There are many benefits to including this particular Bifidobacterium in probiotics for dogs.

One analysis on Bifidobacterium animalis and canines stated,

“Nutritional management with the probiotic fed at 2 x 10(10) CFU/day significantly reduced the time to resolution. Probiotic B. animalis AHC7 may provide veterinarians another tool for management of acute diarrhea in dogs 7.”

– Vet Ther.

This research found those who took probiotics for dogs saw symptoms of diarrhea stop 26% faster than those who received a placebo.

Pediococcus acidilactici

One study shows that this probiotic bacteria can help shorten episodes of vomiting in canines with gastroenteritis. In addition, it may help the dog boost probiotics in its microbiome following a round of antibiotics 8.

Does Ombre Have Probiotics for Dogs?

Currently, Ombre doesn’t offer probiotics for dogs. However, your veterinarian can point you in the direction of many capable brands.

Be sure to ask about these bacteria strains. Your vet can help you find chews, frozen yogurt, and other treats rich in probiotics for dogs.

However, you should also get some human probiotics. After all, who will take care of your dog if your gut health were too fail? Not to mention, research suggests that human and pet microbiomes affect one another. So, get ahead of your pet’s gut health by taking charge of yours today!