What Is a Probiotic For Dogs?

Probiotics is a hot topic for dog parents these days.

In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about probiotics for dogs.

Table of Contents

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria that live in the dog’s body, primarily in the stomach, colon, and intestines.

They are good bacteria because they are helpful to keep your dog’s gut healthy.

Probiotics are often given to dogs as a supplement. However, they also occur in many fermented foods like yogurt and tempeh.

How Do I Know if my Dog Needs a Probiotic?

Small changes to the species of bacteria living in your dog’s gut can have a noticeable impact on them.

There are many health issues in dogs that can be managed by probiotics. Signs your furry companion may need a probiotic include:

● Infection or bacterial imbalance

● Taking medications like antibiotics and long-term steroids that kill good bacteria and often set chronic diarrhea in motion

● Chronic gastrointestinal issues

● Gas and bloating

● Irregular bowel function

● Liver disease

● Obesity

● Bladder infections

● Dietary changes

● Allergy symptoms and skin problems

● Yeast-associated disorders

● Mood and behavior disorders

● Stress related diarrhea

● Bad breath

● Parasites

● Aging

What Are The Benefits of Giving Your Dog Probiotics?

There are many benefits of probiotics for dogs but they aren’t appropriate for every dog in every situation.

● Restore the natural balance of gut bacteria: Probiotics help balance the good bacteria in your dog’s digestive system. The imbalance can happen due to illness, antibiotics, or poor diet.

● Aids digestive health: Dog probiotics can help regulate a dog’s intestinal and digestive health. They can help regulate constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, and bloating.

● Promotes healthy skin and coat: Canine probiotics can promote a healthier coat and skin. If the dog has a problem with shedding, probiotics can also help.

● Helps boost energy: For dogs that are experiencing a lack of energy, probiotics can help boost energy.

● Helps with yeast infections: They can even help with certain yeast infections and rashes the dog might experience. A vet might recommend probiotics if a dog has a problem with a yeast overgrowth or certain rashes.

● Improves mental health conditions: Probiotics can improve some mental health disorders in dogs. Taking probiotic supplements for eight weeks decreased depression levels.

● Reduces severity of certain allergies: Certain probiotic strains may reduce the severity of allergies in dogs. Probiotics may also reduce inflammatory responses in dogs with allergies.

What are Prebiotics? Prebiotics work together with probiotics to support good bacteria to grow in your dog’s gut.

Prebiotics are specific fiber sources that serve as a host for probiotic colonies.

If you want to buy a probiotic supplement, then there is a perfect probiotic dog food topper by yumwoof.

What to Look for in Probiotics for Dogs?

There is no one-size-fits-all probiotic for dogs.

Your dog needs specific probiotic strains that are beneficial for them.

Each canine probiotic supplement contains one or more types of bacteria.

The type of probiotic you give your canine companion really depends on his individual needs.

Here are the probiotic strains that are safe and effective for dogs.

● Bifodobacterium bifidum

● Bifidobacterium animalis

● Bacillus Coagulans

● Bacillus Indicus

● Bacillus Subtilis

● Enterococcus faecium

● Lactobacillus acidophilus

● Lactobacillus casei

● Lactobacillus plantarum

● Pediococcus Acidilactici

There are numerous options when it comes to probiotics for dogs. It ranges from supplements to probiotic dog treats and dog foods.

How Long Does it Take for Probiotics to Work in Dogs?

When giving your fur buddy probiotics, you must remember that this is an ongoing process.

You are working to create colonies of bacteria in your dog’s intestines, and that takes time and consistency.

Some canine probiotics work faster than others.

It also varies by the problem that is being managed with the probiotics.

● If your dog has a chronic digestive disorder or diarrhea, then a multi-strain probiotic is a good choice. In this case, you’ll keep your dog on the probiotics for long-term or until the diarrhea completely settles.

● It’s better to continue the probiotics for a few weeks to help resolve the underlying gut issues.

● For immune health, your dog should experience a positive impact in approximately 4 weeks.

Pet parent tip: Always check with your dog’s vet before starting any new probiotic supplements or other medications.

What is a Natural Probiotic for Dogs?

Bacteria ferment fiber and sugars … so they’re often found in foods. Common probiotic foods include:

● Probiotic yogurt: Yogurt is fermented milk that contains bacteria strains Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. There are a few concerns with using yogurt as a probiotic for dogs. Dairy products can cause diarrhea, inflammation, and immune issues in dogs. Also, sweetened yogurt can cause unwanted changes to your dog’s gut flora.

● Fermented foods: Foods like chaga, kefir and kimchi can be a healthy part of your dog’s diet. However, they can be a problem for dogs with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and yeast infections.

Do Canine Probiotics Have Side Effects?

Probiotics are generally considered a completely safe supplement for dogs. However, a dog’s digestive symptom may temporarily get worse before it improves.

Some dogs may experience digestive discomfort, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, or nausea when starting probiotics. Changes in appetite may be an early sign of an adverse reaction.

Can Dogs Have Human Probiotics?

Just because a probiotic is safe and effective for us doesn’t mean it’s also safe and effective for dogs.

Don’t give a human probiotic to dogs as their intestinal flora is different from that of a human.

Always Look for a probiotic product that is backed by solid research.

Final Thoughts

It’s vital to choose the right probiotic for the specific condition of your do.

Some probiotics are beneficial for digestive health or good for resolving digestive upset.

Some help support your dog’s immune system while others are anti-inflammatory.

Keep in mind that consistency is the key to feeding your dog probiotics.

Always follow your vet’s recommendations and follow up if your furry companion doesn’t get better within a few weeks.

Have you enjoyed reading the article? Do you have any gift ideas to add for dog lovers? Let us know in the comments. We would be happy to hear from you!

“May Your Home Be Filled With Love and Dog Hair”

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Mark

Founder of Our Dogs World 101