If Your Dog Has Stomach Issues, These Vet-Recommended Probiotics Could Help

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As a pet parent, you want the best for your furry friend. From investing in the best harnesses for puppies to doing tons of Googling about common dog behaviors to buying the best dog toothpaste to keep them fresh and healthy, you'll do pretty much anything for your dog. And that includes making sure their digestive health is taken care of. If you've noticed symptoms like diarrhea or loose stools or if they are prone to allergies, obesity, or anxiety, you may want to try one of our vet-recommended best dog probiotics to see if this can help your pup feel better and become healthier.

So what are probiotics for dogs, exactly? The simple answer is that they boost good bacteria in your dog's gut. “Having good bacteria in the digestive tract is a direct correlation to your dog’s immune system and overall health,” says veterinarian Dr. Gary Richter, M.S., D.V.M., C.V.C., C.V.A., the founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition. In addition to boosting the good bacteria, probiotics discourage the growth of harmful, illness-causing bacteria. “Probiotics help maintain an appropriate balance,” Dr. Richter adds. “They help to keep the immune system healthy which can lower inflammation and pain.”



Dr. Richter, along with veterinarian and writer at Native Pet Dr. Juli Goldstein, D.V.M., gave us all the details on the benefits of probiotics for dogs, which dogs are the best candidates, and which probiotics vets and dog parents swear by.

FortiFlora Probiotics for Dogs

The Purina FortiFlora Probiotics for Dogs are beloved by over 30,000 Amazon shoppers — and vets love them, too! "This is a trusted veterinary brand that's heavily researched for efficacy," Dr. Goldstein tells us. "It's easy to store and distribute, as it comes in single serving packets."

Quantity: 30 count, 45 count, or 90 count

Form: Chewable tablets or Powder Sachets

Key Ingredients: Enterococcus faecium, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), brewer's dried yeast, vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, beta-carotene, salt, manganese proteinate, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite

Probiotics & Prebiotic Dog Supplement

Over 1,500 Amazon shoppers agree: The Native Pet Vet-Formulated Probiotics & Prebiotic Dog Supplement is a pooch fave. "This powder is veterinary formulated and unique in that it has added prebiotic fiber to help prepare your pup's gut and make it more hospitable to healthy bacteria," says Dr. Goldstein. "It’s also organic with clean ingredients, which is especially helpful for pets with sensitive stomachs or food allergies."

In addition to being the best powder dog probiotic supplement, this Native Pet Probiotic is also the most artfully designed, making it less of an eyesore if you choose to keep it out on your counter.

Quantity: 4.1 oz tin, 8.2 oz tin, or 16.4 oz tin

Form: Powder

Key Ingredients: Pumpkin seed powder, beef broth powder, Jerusalem artichoke powder, probiotic blend

Proviable-DC Capsules Digestive Supplement for Cats & Dogs

The Nutramax Proviable-DC Capsules are unique in that they can be fed in capsule form or split open to be sprinkled on as a powder. It's partially because of this that over 8,500 Amazon shoppers have awarded the capsules their five-star seal of approval — and Dr. Goldstein has too. "Another trusted veterinary brand, [these capsules] contain seven bacteria strains and are helpful for dogs who are not a fan of powders," she says. Though, if your pup also doesn't eat capsules freely, you may want to add a bag of the Greenies Peanut Butter Capsule Pockets to your cart, too.

Quantity: 30 count or 80 count

Form: Capsule

Key Ingredients: Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus plantarum

Probiotic Bites Pumpkin Flavored Soft Chews

If your pup isn't a fan of powders or capsules, you can trick them into taking their daily supplement with the Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites, which are designed with a tasty pumpkin flavor. In addition to being ripe with good bacteria, these probiotics are plentiful. A jar contains 250 bites and if you have a dog that weighs 25 pounds or less, that means the container will last for over eight months. Needless to say, it's no wonder over 21,000 Amazon shoppers have given them a five-star review.

Quantity: 10 count, 50 count, 90 count, 180 count

Form: Soft chew

Key Ingredients: Pumpkin, papaya, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Brevis, Lactobacillus Fermentum, Lactobacillus Lactis, 2 Billion CFU, flaxseed meal, natural vegetable flavoring, oat flour, palm oil, powdered cellulose, rice bran, rice flour, sorbic acid (natural preservative), vegetable glycerin and vegetable oil

Digestive Prebiotic & Probiotic Supplement For Dogs

The Finn Digestive Prebiotic & Probiotic Supplement is formulated with a mouthwatering beef liver flavor that your pup won't be able to resist. When purchased on Amazon, shoppers can Subscribe & Save to make the most of the 90-count jars.

Quantity: 90 count

Form: Soft chews

Key Ingredients: Lactobacillus Acidophilus, L. Fermentum, L. Reuteri, L. Plantarum, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, L. Casei Subsp. Casei, 3B CFU, pumpkin, inulin, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) brewer's yeast, tapioca starch, vegetable glycerin, purified water, sunflower lecithin, natural cheese, safflower oil, natural bacon flavor, natural beef liver, organic honey, ascorbic acid, mixed tocopherols, natural preservative

Probiotics with Organic Prebiotics for Dogs & Cats

If your dog is particularly picky, you'll want to be as inconspicuous as possible. The Fera Pet Organics Probiotics with Organic Prebiotics for Dogs & Cats is the best option, as it's flavorless and odorless, so their meals will seem like business as usual. Plus, if you hold ingredient standards on a pedestal, these dog probiotics are pretty much as good as it gets. They're even considered Climate Pledge Friendly on Amazon, meaning that they're made with highly sustainable manufacturing practices.

Quantity: 60 count

Form: Powder

Key Ingredients: Fos (Fructooligosaccharides), organic inulin derived from agave, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium Infantis, Enterococcus Faeciuim, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Longum, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Lactobacillus Brevis

Probiotics for Dogs

Best for pups who go hog wild over treats, the PetLab Co. Probiotics for Dogs are designed with a tantalizing pork flavor that your pooch will swoon over. The only downside is that they're specifically designed for dogs over six months of age, so they're out of the question for puppies.

Quantity: 30 count

Form: Soft chews

Key Ingredients: Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus), pumpkin, honey, inulin (agave), FOS - fructooligosaccharides (Saccharum Officinarum), ascorbic acid, cane molasses, coconut glycerin, dried brewers yeast, dried whey, lecithin, liquid smoke flavor, mixed tocopherols, pork gelatin, salmon oil, spray dried pork liver, tapioca starch.

Digestive Probiotics Duck Flavored Soft Chews Probiotics Supplement for Dogs

These dog probiotics have more than 2000 five-star reviews from happy pet parents on Chewy. Reviewers say that even their picky eaters will happily chow down on these probiotic supplements, which come in duck and pumpkin flavors. They're designed to be used daily in order to help ease symptoms like constipation, gas, and upset stomach. These probiotics are also formulated with enzymes to help your pup digest key nutrients.

Quantity: 14 count, 90 count

Form: Soft chews

Key Ingredients: Pumpkin, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Brevis, Lactobacillus Fermentum And Lactococcus Lactis With FOS, amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, lactase, bromelain, greek yogurt, chicory root

How do I choose a probiotic for my dog?

To choose the number-one probiotic for your dog, look for the following:

✔️ The Number of Bacterial Strains Present: Probiotics for dogs are only as beneficial as the number of bacterial strains within them. While many supplements have one or two strains (which Dr. Goldstein says can be helpful), she recommends opting for those with four or more to achieve optimal gut health.

✔️ Formulas Rich in Fiber: According to Dr. Richter, probiotics are even more effective when paired with prebiotics and digestive fiber. “[It gives the bacteria] something to feed on and replicate, continuing to create healthier bacteria and thus making the probiotic more effective,” he explains.

✔️ Potency Per Serving: Even with multiple strains of probiotics in a supplement, it could lack potency. “Probiotics are measured by CFUs or colony forming units — the optimal daily range for dogs is between 1 billion and 10 billion CFUs per day,” Dr. Goldstein says, noting to prioritize probiotics for dogs that offer billions of CFUs.

✔️ A GMP-Certified Facility: You want your pup’s probiotic supplements to be made in a facility with good manufacturing practices (GMP). “These facilities take steps to ensure that the products are safe, potent, and pure,” Dr. Goldstein says. “Often this is not included on the label, so a call to the manufacturer may be needed to gather this information.”

FAQ

How do I know if my dog needs a probiotic?

While all dogs can benefit from probiotics, given they can help with everything from digestion and chronic pain to joint issues and a sleek coat, Dr. Richter says that those with stomach issues experience the most noticeable improvement post-probiotic. Dr. Goldstein adds to this, noting that she frequently recommends probiotic supplements for any of her patients who are experiencing any type of gastrointestinal distress, especially diarrhea. “But probiotics have numerous benefits for dogs in a variety of situations, especially overall immune health because more than 70% of your dog’s immune system is in their gastrointestinal tract,” she adds. “Other situations where I may recommend a probiotic include pets with anxiety, allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, or other immune disorders.”

What are the benefits of probiotics for dogs?

As previously mentioned, probiotics boost the healthy bacteria in your dog's gut, which in turn boosts their overall health and prevents gastrointestinal issues, among other common ailments, like joint pain.

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