A healthy gut in dogs is important for good digestion, fighting off potential illnesses, and keeping your pup active and happy. That’s where probiotics can help. But can a dog take probiotics, and what do probiotics do for dogs? Here’s what you need to know about probiotics for dogs.
What Are Probiotics?
Like us, dogs have a world of bacteria inside their gut. This ecosystem, called the gut microbiome, is full of trillions of tiny organisms, some beneficial and some harmful. The different types of bacteria inside the gut create a unique mixture of bacterial strains.
The balance of the good and the bad bacteria in the gut is crucial for a healthy gut microbiome. The beneficial bacteria help with digestion, nutrient absorption, and vitamin production while keeping harmful bacteria in check. The small number of bad bacteria is entirely normal, but if there are too many of them, it can lead to an overgrowth, resulting in issues like diarrhea or inflammation. actors like diet, age, stress, and medications can also affect the microbiome.
So, what are probiotics for dogs?
Dog probiotics are live bacteria that support and replenish the good bacteria in the gut. They are like live reinforcements to help your pup maintain a healthy microbiome, promoting better digestion, immune system, and overall health.
Benefits Of Probiotics For Dogs
Probiotic benefits for dogs stem from their ability to support and maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Here are some of the key advantages of probiotics for dogs:
- Promote Digestive Health: Probiotics help break down food and absorb nutrients, helping with digestion.
- Strengthen Immunity: Some immune cells live in the gut, so probiotics help boost your dog’s immune system by supporting its natural defenses.
- Support Skin and Coat: A balanced gut can help reduce inflammation, contributing to healthy skin and a shiny coat.
- Reduce Allergies: Probiotics may help regulate the immune system and reduce allergy symptoms.
Emerging research even suggests a link between the gut and the brain and the important role the gut plays in mood and behavior in dogs. Studies have shown that dogs taking certain probiotics are actually more likely to explore new environments and less likely to bark, jump, or spin in situations that are normally stressful. So, probiotics could potentially reduce anxiety-related issues.
Signs That Your Dog May Need Probiotics
Probiotics can generally be helpful for dogs, but there are some signs that your pup could benefit even more from them. Here’s what to watch for in your furry friend.
Diarrhea
If you notice symptoms of stomach upset and diarrhea, it could be a telltale sign of a gut imbalance. Lots of things can cause diarrhea in dogs, like stress and viruses. Frequent loose poos could also indicate that your dog may need a boost of good bacteria. Probiotics can help repopulate healthy bacteria, promoting healthy digestion.
On the other end of the spectrum, constipation and straining could point toward a more sluggish digestion. Stress and health-related issues can all impact the gut, leading to an imbalance of bacteria and causing symptoms like constipation and diarrhea. Probiotics have been shown to cut down the recovery time of diarrhea in dogs.
In many cases, diarrhea in dogs can clear up in a day or two, but if things don’t improve or you notice the following, it’s a good idea to go to the vet:
- Any blood present in your dog’s poop
- Accompanying symptoms like tiredness, fever, and loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Severe watery diarrhea
- If your pup has a known medical condition where diarrhea could signal a flare-up
Stomach Noise And Gas
We don’t have to tell you that some gas is common across all breeds and ages. But if you can hear gurgling noises in your dog’s tummy and notice frequent and excessive gas, your pup may need a little extra help. An overgrowth of harmful bacteria may produce more pungent-smelling gasses. Probiotics can help with excessive (and smelly) gas by restoring the balance of beneficial bacteria and promoting healthier digestion.
Irregular Potty Schedule
A healthy dog typically has a regular bathroom schedule with a consistent routine. When your pup eats a balanced diet and has a healthy gut microbiome, the digestive system processes food more efficiently. Age and diet can influence the potty schedule, with puppies naturally having less bladder control than adult dogs.
If you notice changes to the potty schedule or stool quality, it could be a sign of a gut problem. These changes suggest that something is interfering with your pup's digestive system, which can be caused by factors like an imbalance of gut bacteria and food intolerances.
Food Allergies
Probiotics for dogs with allergies can be helpful in reducing inflammation and offer relief for symptoms associated with food allergies, like itching. Probiotics can help your pup break down food more, which can help with overall gut health and nutrient absorption, contributing to a better immune response.
While fleas can definitely cause itching and irritation similar to allergies, they are often more identifiable as you can usually see them. But proper diagnosis from a vet is crucial as you can’t 100% rule out fleas just because you don’t see them.
Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss is concerning for dog parents and can be a sign of a number of problems, including gut health problems, underlying conditions, and dental issues. If your vet rules out other underlying causes, weight loss can signal a gut microbiome imbalance for a couple of reasons:
- Nutrient Malabsorption: Poor gut health can make it tough for your dog’s body to get essential nutrients from their food, leading to unintended weight loss and malnutrition.
- Stomach Discomfort: A disrupted gut can cause tummy discomfort, sometimes leading to a loss of appetite and lower food intake.
Probiotics can help by restoring the balance of bacteria in the gut, reducing inflammation, and helping your pup’s appetite get back to normal.
Yeast Infection
It’s normal for dogs to have some yeast in the gut, like Candida. The good bacteria typically keep yeast in check. But when the balance is off, the harmful bacteria can have a chance to increase, leading to an overgrowth of yeast that can lead to symptoms like gas, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Probiotics help replenish the good bacteria that keep yeast in check, promoting a healthy gut and digestive health.
Behavioral Issues
As odd as it may sound, behavioral issues could be a sign that your dog could benefit from probiotics. Research highlights a potential connection between an out-of-balance gut microbiome and aggressive behavior in dogs. Many factors influence a dog’s behavior, and gut health is likely just one piece of the puzzle. A healthy gut is important for so many aspects of your pup’s health and likely plays a role in their mood and behavior.
How to Feed Your Dog Probiotics
The easiest way to introduce probiotics to your dog’s diet is to choose a dog food that already contains them. That way, you can avoid needing a separate probiotic supplement, and the dose will remain consistent with each meal.
Our specifically formulated kibble for grown-up pups and puppies contains 20 million live bacteria. We use a special process for our patented probiotics that shields the good bacteria from heat during the cooking process—meaning your dog can get all the benefits of probiotics from their daily diet! Plus, all our kibble products are bursting with natural prebiotic fiber. Think of prebiotic fiber as food for the good bacteria, helping them to thrive and keeping your dog’s gut healthy and happy.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, we recommend getting started with our Sensitive Stomach Essentials Starter Pack.
Dog Probiotics FAQs
Can dogs have probiotics designed for humans, and do you need to adjust your puppy’s probiotic dosage? Let’s dig a little deeper into the world of probiotics with our handy FAQs as we answer some common questions about probiotics for dogs.
Can Puppies Have Probiotics?
Absolutely, puppies can have dog-specific probiotics. Your little pup’s gut is still developing, and puppy probiotics can help introduce friendly bacteria and establish a healthy gut microbiome from an early age. A good balance of bacteria in the gut helps support the immune system, digestion, and overall health.
Can Dogs Eat Human Foods That Contain Probiotics?
If you’re wondering, “Should I give my dog probiotic-rich human foods?” the answer isn’t as straightforward.
Some human foods are naturally full of probiotics, like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, but they may not be the best choice for your pooch. While some human probiotic foods may be safe for your dog, they may not include the specific strain that would benefit your dog the most. Also, many human foods have sugar, additives, and artificial ingredients that can be unhealthy for your dog. Not to mention, it’s hard to measure the amount of probiotics your dog would get through these types of food.
Adding new foods to a dog’s diet can cause stomach upset, leading to diarrhea and other problems. Plain, low-fat yogurt with no added flavors, sugar, or artifical sweeteners in small amounts can be a delightful, occasional treat for your furry friend. But a safer alternative is to use a probiotic dog food that uses probiotics specifically for canine health, not humans.
What Causes Changes In The Microbiome And Can It Be Prevented?
A dog’s gut microbiome can be sensitive, and various factors can disrupt the gut balance and lead to changes in the gut:
- Sudden changes or switches in dog food and treats
- Low-quality dog food that lacks essential nutrients
- Antibiotics can wipe out both good and bad bacteria
- Stress can impact the gut microbiome
- Parasites and pathogens can disrupt the gut too
It can be difficult to predict these changes, and it’s now always possible to completely prevent disruption to the gut. For instance, if your dog gets sick, they may need antibiotics to get better. But you can take steps to create a foundation for a healthy gut:
- Feed your pup a high-quality diet with prebiotics and probiotics
- Provide a calm and predictable environment for your pup
- Attend regular vet checkups to help identify and address any underlying issues
Can I Feed My Healthy Dog Probiotics?
Yes, you can feed canine probiotics to a healthy dog. Even in a healthy dog, probiotics can help support and maintain a healthy gut, contributing to overall well-being.
Even with a healthy diet, environmental changes, stress, and dietary changes can disrupt the microbiome. Probiotics can be a valuable addition to your pup’s diet and help maintain balance in the gut for healthy dogs and those who need a little extra help.