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Both good and bad bacteria can live in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Probiotics are the good bacteria (and yeast) needed in the gut for proper digestive and immune system function. Dr Judy Morgan, a companion animal health speaker and integrative veterinarian who offers online consultations, says probiotics fight bad bacteria and are the gatekeepers that stop pathogenic intruders. They keep the intestinal lining healthy so that the body can receive nutrients.
When your dog has vomiting and diarrhea, chances are these living microorganisms in his gut are out of balance – with more bad bacteria than good. This is why dog probiotics are often a good idea when there are digestive issues.
Dr. Angie Krause, Boulder Holistic Vet in Colorado, says she recommends probiotics for all dogs because balanced bacteria in the gut are key to a healthy puppy.
Dr. Morgan says that 80% of the body’s immune health comes from the gut. She gives her dogs probiotics regularly and rotates them.
Probiotics come in the form of supplements available for purchase, and there are natural probiotics for dogs in the form of probiotic-rich foods like kefir and fermented vegetables.
Are probiotics good for dogs?
In most cases, probiotics are a great idea for dogs. Dr. Morgan says an exception is dogs with severe intestinal or liver infections, who may not benefit from probiotics until the infection is cleared up. In this case, consult a veterinarian. She adds that dogs will sometimes have diarrhea or loose stools when given probiotics. This could stem from the transition of gut bacteria as they get back into balance. If it lasts longer than 24-48 hours, stop using the probiotic.
For dogs with food sensitivities, read the inactive ingredients on the supplement label to make sure there are no unwanted ingredients. For example, avoid a supplement with powdered chicken meal if your dog is sensitive to chicken.
When Probiotics Can Help Dogs
In addition to giving dogs a general health boost, there are specific situations where probiotics can help. Dr. Morgan says you can give probiotics to dogs:
- whenever there are gastrointestinal disturbances (such as vomiting and diarrhea)
- when a dog is having surgery or anesthesia
- during stressful times like a trip to the groomer, boarding a facility, and while traveling
- when there is a change in your dog’s diet
- when your dog needs a course of antibiotics.
Give dogs probiotics while using antibiotics and for at least two to three weeks after completing the course of antibiotics, advises Dr. Morgan. This is because antibiotics kill all bacteria in the gut – good and bad – while they are taken.
Dr. Krause recommends probiotics for almost all health conditions, including digestive issues, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and allergies.
Other terms probiotics can help include dental disease and recurrent urinary tract infections by potentially balancing bad bacteria in the mouth and vaginal areas. Arthritis can also benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics. Even anxious dogs could benefit from using probiotics. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary’s Calming Care supplement contains a probiotic strain (BL999) that may help relieve anxiety in anxious dogs.
Older dogs can also benefit from probiotic supplementation, Dr. Morgan says, because they tend to struggle with diminished immune health and more chronic inflammatory conditions that a healthy gut can help improve. She says for dogs that are anemic or that eat feces or dirt, use a probiotic that is soil-based or contains humic and fulvic acids.
How do I give my dog probiotics?
It’s pretty safe to start giving your dog probiotics – unless there’s a specific health issue you’re concerned about, of course.
There are many good probiotics on the market and also many less good products. Since probiotics are live bacteria, handling them is very important. The supplement should not be exposed to high heat during storage or transportation as this will kill live bacteria. Many products need to be refrigerated after opening or even during shipping and storage. It is essential to know how the product has been stored.
When buying a probiotic, look for a manufacturer that is reputable for making quality products. Dr. Morgan says the colony forming units (CFU) of the probiotic should be listed on the label and number in the billions. Also look for a supplement that contains multiple strains of bacteria rather than one or two. She says several strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the same way Streptococcus thermophilus are ideal.
Dr. Krause says probiotics are hard to abuse. It is possible to cause stomach upset with very high doses, but also unlikely. To avoid giving dogs too many probiotics, Dr. Morgan recommends not giving several products at the same time and rotating them.
Natural probiotics for dogs
Dogs can also get probiotics naturally through food sources. Dr. Morgan says fermented foods like kefir, fermented goat’s milk, and fermented vegetables like kimchi are all great sources of natural probiotics for dogs. She warns that kefir from the grocery store that has been pasteurized and then fermented is not the best choice. Making your own fermented vegetables is a very inexpensive and better way to provide your dog with good gut bacteria.
Dr. Krause says making your own fermented foods at home will have higher numbers and a wider variety of beneficial bacteria and yeasts. Although she cautions that while fermented foods work better in her practice for some dogs, she has encountered others who are overly sensitive to fermented foods and do better with a commercial probiotic supplement.
The proper dosage of probiotics for dogs depends on whether it is a supplement or not. If it’s a supplement, Dr. Morgan advises simply following the directions on the label. But if it’s natural probiotics for dogs, follow the recipe guidelines. If in doubt, start with a very small amount and monitor your pet.
Dr. Krause offers instructions on his website at how to make fermented berries for pets using blueberries, honey and vegetable culture starter. His feeding instructions say to give them as a treat or with meals starting with one blueberry on the food twice a day for small dogs, two for medium dogs and three to four for large dogs. She says to gradually increase the amount but stop and consult your vet if you experience diarrhea or vomiting.
What about prebiotics for dogs?
If you’ve ever heard of probiotics, you may have heard the term “prebiotics” as well. Prebiotics are sources of fiber, such as inulin or larch arabinogalactan, which feed probiotic bacteria. Dr. Morgan says giving them together ensures that the probiotic bacteria will grow, multiply and thrive.
Although technically not necessary, probiotics are a very healthy and highly recommended addition to any dog’s diet. If you are concerned about a specific condition, you can consult your veterinarian first, but in general probiotics for dogs are quite safe.
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