Probiotics for Dogs
A healthy gut is the foundation of your dog’s overall well-being, and probiotics play an important role in keeping it balanced. These beneficial microorganisms help regulate digestion, improve nutrient absorption, strengthen the immune system, and even support skin health. Let’s explore what probiotics are, the benefits they offer, and how you can include them in your dog’s diet.
What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms, often beneficial bacteria, that help maintain a healthy gut environment. They’re not the same as:
Prebiotics - Fibers that act as food for the good bacteria in the gut
Postbiotics - Beneficial compounds that probiotics create once they’re active
Together, probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics influence your dog’s digestion, nutrient absorption, immune system, and even skin health.
Benefits of Probiotics
Research on probiotics for dogs is ongoing, but studies suggest several potential benefits, including:
Supporting digestion and nutrient absorption - Especially useful during or after antibiotics, which can disrupt beneficial bacteria in the gut
Helping with acute issues - Useful for stress-related diarrhea after traveling, boarding, or moving
Helping with chronic conditions - Dogs with sensitive stomachs or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may see improvement
Supporting allergies and skin health - By helping regulate immune responses that affect the skin
Boosting immune function - Since much of the immune system is directly connected to gut health
Probiotic Supplements
If you’re considering adding a probiotic supplement to your dog’s routine, look for the following:
Clinically studied strains - Probiotic strains are specific types of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, and Enterococcus faecium. Different strains have different roles, so it’s important that the product includes strains backed by research.
Clear labeling - This should include colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, which tell you how many live bacteria are in each serving, and proper storage instructions to ensure the probiotics stay active and effective.
Food Sources of Probiotics
Certain foods naturally contain probiotics and can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet, including:
Plain kefir and yogurt - Fermented milk contains multiple probiotic strains like Lactobacillus (no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, or flavourings).
Fermented vegetables - Small amounts of fermented vegetables like sauerkraut can introduce beneficial bacteria (unsalted, unseasoned, and no onion).
Conclusion
Supporting your dog’s gut health is one of the best ways to promote their overall well-being. Probiotics can help restore balance in the digestive system, strengthen immunity, and even improve skin issues. Whether you choose a supplement with researched strains and clear CFU counts or foods like plain kefir or fermented vegetables, probiotics can become a simple yet powerful tool to keep your dog happy, healthy, and thriving.