Does my dog need a probiotic?
Every dog may benefit from taking a probiotic. Imbalanced gut microflora can be disruptive to overall health, so the use of probiotics for dogs may have a positive influence on your dog’s general wellness. Some of the most commonly reported benefits of probiotics for dogs are for gut health and also skin issues.
Probiotics may help your dog with:
What are probiotics for dogs?
Just like us humans, our dogs’ health starts in the gut. Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria and yeasts, they thrive in the digestive system, and you may know them as ‘good bacteria’.
Probiotic supplement or probiotic foods?
A probiotic supplement will have a documented health benefit, easy dosing of high numbers of bacteria, and provide you with greater control over the specific type and number of bacteria. Probiotic foods are great at promoting a diverse microbiome for your dog. Read more about probiotic supplements and probiotic foods.
Does my dog need a probiotic supplement?
Canine Nutritionist, Narelle Cooke, says giving your pet healthy bacteria may positively influence chronic gastro-intestinal conditions such as IBS and IBD, obesity, liver disease, dental disease and behavioural disorders. A daily probiotic supplement may also provide additional benefits, such as improved appearance and quality of the skin and coat, a reduction in intestinal gas, improved breath, a reduction of allergies and in yeast-associated disorders, and improvements in bowel regularity and consistency.
If your dog is currently healthy, you might consider including probiotics in the diet intermittently. For example, administer every few days as a means to give their gastrointestinal and immune systems a healthy boost. And if your dog has a condition such as allergies, diarrhoea, a history of antibiotic use, your dog might need a probiotic and they may benefit from you administering them daily for at least 8 weeks while continuing to monitor their symptoms. Want to read the whole article? Here: The health benefits of probiotics for dogs.
How do I choose a probiotic for my dog?
These are our top tips for choosing the best probiotic for your dog:
- The probiotic supplement should be species appropriate, formulated specifically for dogs containing host bacteria which is unique to their digestive system.
- The supplement should be therapeutic strength, formulated with good bacteria, UI levels in the billions.
- Includes other ingredients that promote optimal digestive function including prebiotics which feed the probiotics as well as digestive enzymes to assist in the digestion process.
- Look for probiotics that are microencapsulated. Microencapsulation is integral in protecting probiotic bacteria from the degradation that the digestive system was designed to do, so they can stay viable throughout your pet’s digestive system for maximum benefits.
