What are the best probiotics for dogs?

Probiotics are vital to your dog’s health; they maintain the balance of your dog’s intestinal flora, promote digestion and absorption, boost the immune system, and alleviate gastrointestinal discomforts such as diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion.

Many dog owners ask, what is the best probiotic for dogs? The best dog probiotic depends on your dog’s needs. Because every dog has a different constitution, health condition, and living environment, they have different probiotic needs. The best probiotic is the one that is right for your dog.

Probiotics are well known for their gastrointestinal benefits, and Mark A. Brudnak, an expert in the field of natural medicine, states one of the core concepts in his book, Probiotics Are the Best Medicine: “Probiotics are more than just supplements, they are the cornerstone of natural medicine. They are the cornerstone of natural medicine. Probiotics promote health by helping to restore and maintain the delicate microbial balance within the animal body.
So what exactly are probiotics? Which probiotics can dogs take? What specifically do probiotics do for dogs? Hsviko will analyze in detail in this article which probiotics are best for your dog.

Probiotics for Dogs’ Intestinal Tract

When a dog consumes probiotics, the probiotics will first enter the dog’s stomach. Which live probiotics will find the right place to multiply? Then occupy the space on the intestinal surface to compete with the harmful strains of bacteria and reduce the attachment of harmful strains of bacteria. The effects of probiotics on the dog’s intestinal tract are as follows:

Regulate the balance of intestinal flora: there is a large community of microorganisms in the dog’s intestinal tract, including both beneficial and potentially harmful bacteria. Probiotics, can help increase the number of beneficial bacteria and inhibit the overpopulation of harmful bacteria, thus maintaining the balance of intestinal microecology in dogs.

Promote Digestion and Absorption: Probiotics can assist in breaking down complex components of food, such as fiber, to help dogs better absorb nutrients. It also produces short-chain fatty acids, which provide energy for intestinal cells and promote intestinal health. Therefore, when choosing probiotics prioritize probiotic products with high acid and salt tolerance.

Enhance immunity: The intestinal tract is not only the main place for digestion and absorption but also an important part of the dog’s immune system. Probiotics can activate the immune cells in the dog’s intestinal tract, improve the immune system’s response-ability, and reduce the probability of illness.

Relieve indigestion: For dogs that often suffer from diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, or gastroenteritis symptoms, moderate supplementation of probiotics can effectively relieve these symptoms and help the dog to restore normal intestinal function.

Assist in the treatment and prevention of disease: After a dog receives antibiotic treatment, the antibiotic will kill all the flora in the intestinal tract, resulting in an imbalance of the flora. At this time, supplementing probiotics can help dogs quickly restore the balance of intestinal flora and reduce the side effects of antibiotic treatment.

Coping with Stress: Gut function may be affected when dogs experience environmental changes, traveling, food changes, or other stressful situations. Probiotics can mitigate the negative effects of these stressful reactions on the gut and keep the digestive tract functioning properly.

Nutritional Supplements for dog

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7 Best Probiotics for Dogs

Probiotics are active microorganisms that are beneficial to dogs and can help improve their gastrointestinal health as well as inhibit the growth of other harmful bacteria and boost their immunity, Hsviko recommends feeding them to your dog in the form of a probiotic powder or probiotic tablets. Below are seven of the best probiotics for dogs

Lactobacillus

Lactobacilli are an essential flora for dogs, promoting nutrient absorption, inhibiting the proliferation of harmful flora, and maintaining intestinal ecological balance.
Lactobacilli include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, etc. These strains can help produce lactic acid, lower intestinal pH, and create an environment unfavorable to the growth of harmful bacteria while promoting nutrient absorption.

Bifidobacterium bifidum

Bifidobacterium bifidum is a naturally occurring strain of bacteria in the dog’s intestinal tract that maintains the intestinal barrier, preserves the health of the digestive system, relieves the symptoms of diarrhea in dogs, and promotes nutrient absorption. It has a positive effect on maintaining the balance of intestinal flora and enhancing immunity and is especially suitable for regulating intestinal disorders caused by antibiotic treatment. Pay attention to the dosage when feeding bifidobacteria to your dog and buy probiotics for pets.

Saccharomyces boulardii

Saccharomyces boulardii has a high acid tolerance and can pass through a dog’s stomach acid and remain active. Saccharomyces boulardii is effective in preventing and treating diarrhea, especially diarrhea caused by antibiotics, as well as strengthening the intestinal barrier function. For dogs treated for diarrhea and dogs being treated with antibiotics, it can effectively regulate the stomach and improve intestinal health.

Bacillus subtilis

The probiotic formed by Bacillus subtilis is highly acid and salt-resistant and can tolerate stomach acid and bile. It is resurrected when it reaches the intestines and helps to improve digestion and promote intestinal health.

Bacillus coagulans

Bacillus coagulans is another type of bacillus that is highly stable. Upon reaching the intestinal tract, Bacillus coagulans spores revive and proliferate, producing lactic acid and other short-chain fatty acids, which help lower intestinal pH and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Properly feeding your dog Bacillus coagulans can boost your dog’s immune system, ease digestive problems, and aid in antibiotic treatment and recovery from exercise.

Lactobacillus plantarum

Lactobacillus plantarum belongs to the Lactobacillus species, which is a gram-positive, partially anaerobic bacterium. Lactobacillus plantarum can lower your dog’s cholesterol, reduce the inflammatory response of the intestinal tract, and promote nutrient absorption in your dog.

Streptococcus thermophilus

Streptococcus thermophilus is a bacterium that grows well in hot environments and belongs to the Streptococcus family, a type of lactic acid bacteria. It has a positive effect on your dog’s digestive health. Properly feeding dogs Streptococcus thermophilus can regulate your dog’s blood pressure, reduce your dog’s intestinal inflammation, help scavenge free radicals in the body, and play a role in anti-oxidant stress, which has a definite anti-aging effect.

Hsviko produces Probiotic for dogs, rich in a variety of beneficial bacteria, suitable for all kinds of dogs, and highly active bacteria throughout the guardianship of the dog’s gastrointestinal health.

How to choose probiotic products for dogs

Selection of strains: Choose products containing probiotic strains suitable for dogs, common beneficial strains include Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, and so on. Different strains have different functions; Bifidobacterium bifidum and Saccharomyces boulardii can attach directly to your dog’s intestines through the stomach.

Activity and number of bacteria: the higher the number of strains the better for the dog’s gastrointestinal conditioning, a single supplement should be between 1 billion and 10 billion CFU (colony-forming units).

Indication Matching: Choose based on your dog’s specific needs. For example, if the dog is suffering from an imbalance of intestinal flora after antibiotic treatment, or has indigestion or diarrhea, choosing the appropriate type of probiotic will be more effective.

Product quality: Priority is given to brands that have passed the GMP certification for veterinary medicine, which is not a mandatory requirement, but indicates that the product has a higher standard in production and quality control. At the same time, check the ingredients of the product to avoid containing additives that are harmful to your dog.

Taste and form: Considering the dog’s acceptance, you can choose the taste that the dog likes or the form that is easy to feed, such as probiotics in powder form or probiotics that can be incorporated into the food, which is easier for the dog to accept.

Professional consultation: In case of uncertainty, consult your veterinarian for advice. Your veterinarian can recommend the most appropriate probiotic product based on your dog’s health and past medical history.

User reviews: Checking reviews and recommendations from other pet owners is also a good reference, but be careful to distinguish between advertisements and real feedback and make a comprehensive judgment.

The quality of the product: high-quality probiotics have good acid resistance, salt resistance, and high-temperature resistance, high-quality probiotics with high activity can be better.

Choosing probiotics for your dog with some prebiotic products can improve the survival of probiotics in your dog’s intestinal tract, which is very good for maintaining your dog’s intestinal health. Hsviko can reasonably customize the probiotic products that are most suitable for your dog according to your dog’s age, physical condition and dietary habits.

What are some natural probiotics for dogs?

Yogurt: You can feed your dog yogurt, which is very rich in natural probiotics. But it is best to feed your dog unsweetened yogurt, sugary yogurt is not suitable for all dogs, and unflavored, low-fat plain yogurt is the best source of probiotics for dogs from food.

Natto: a naturally fermented soy product that is also a natural probiotic product for dogs.

Kimchi: homemade or additive-free kimchi contains probiotics such as Lactobacillus plantarum, but care should be taken not to feed too much salt.

Fruits: Fruits are also rich in probiotics such as green apples, bananas, and strawberries.

Pumpkin and sweet potatoes: Although not a direct source of probiotics, they are rich in fiber and can promote the growth of existing probiotics in the gut.

Garlic: in small amounts, garlic can act as a prebiotic and promote gut health, but in excess, it can be toxic to your dog.

Try to pair these dairy, soy, and fruit products with some probiotic supplements when giving them to your dog, after all, these are very limited in the amount of probiotics they can give your dog.

Side Effects of Probiotics for Dogs

Probiotics are usually safe for most dogs and rarely cause side effects when used in recommended doses. However, there are certain situations where inappropriate use or individual differences can lead to some problems.

Digestive problems

In rare cases, initial or excessive use of probiotics may cause mild stomach upset, bloating, or diarrhea. This is because the newly introduced flora may temporarily interfere with the existing balance of intestinal flora.

Allergic Reactions

Individual dogs may be allergic to specific probiotic strains or other ingredients in the formula, which may manifest as symptoms such as itchy skin, redness, or difficulty breathing. If such reactions are detected, discontinue use immediately and consult your veterinarian.

Dependency

Prolonged heavy supplementation of probiotics may theoretically lead to reduced dependence on exogenous probiotics by the dog’s intestinal flora, but this idea still needs to be supported by more research.

Not for all conditions

In some specific health conditions, such as the early stages of acute enteritis, the direct use of probiotics may not be beneficial but may aggravate the condition, as the intestinal mucosa is damaged at this point and the primary cause of the condition needs to be dealt with first.

Improper selection

The quality of probiotics on the market varies, and improper selection may not achieve the desired effect, and may even be detrimental to your pet due to contamination or the presence of ineffective strains.

To minimize the risk of side effects in dogs consuming probiotics, it is important to follow these principles:

Use under the guidance of a veterinarian, especially if your dog has a specific health problem.

Choose probiotic products that are designed for pets, are of reliable quality, and contain the appropriate strains and counts of bacteria.

Watch your dog’s reaction after starting probiotics and report any unusual symptoms to your veterinarian.

Give the right amount of probiotics according to the product instructions or your veterinarian’s advice and avoid overdose.

Avoid overfeeding probiotics for long periods; dogs’ intestines can self-regulate to some degree. Feeding probiotics in large quantities can reduce a dog’s ability to self-regulate and become dependent on probiotics. In severe cases, it can affect the dynamic balance within the dog’s intestinal tract, leading to frequent illness. Every dog is different, and a very small number of dogs may develop an allergy to a particular group of bacteria within the probiotic.