Probiotics For Dogs

probiotics for dogs
If you’re looking for probiotics for dogs, we’ve got you covered. Today, we’ll leap into the exciting world of probiotics and prebiotics for dogs. We’ll discover whether probiotics are safe to give your puppy.

In this article, we discuss the safety of probiotics for dogs and how they help.

What Is a Probiotic for Dogs?

If you’ve ever had yogurt with “live cultures," you’ve taken probiotics. Simply put, probiotics are microorganisms that naturally live in your digestive tract. 

These tiny helpers live in the gastrointestinal tract, where they provide various health benefits. 

Here, these microscopic organisms balance the digestive system, and by doing so, prevent various diseases and complications from arising. 

Typically, probiotics help humans and our pets to:

  • Efficiently break down food
  • Produce various essential vitamins and nutrients
  • Fight off pathogens
  • Improve and strengthen immunity

Probiotics for dogs and probiotics for cats, such as Hyperbiotics PRO-Pets, contain species-specific probiotic strains to help support digestive and immune health. 

Probiotics can resolve diarrhea, upset stomach, bad breath, gas, and allergies in animals.

best dog probiotics

What’s the Difference Between a Prebiotic and a Probiotic for Dogs?

The pet health industry has been trying to promote probiotic and prebiotic use for animals. Both play an essential role in maintaining overall health of the digestive tract.

However, probiotics and prebiotics play two different roles in the body.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that reside in the gastrointestinal tract. They offer a balance between the good and bad bacteria in the gut microbiome.

On the other hand, prebiotics are a source of fiber that help the probiotics flourish. This fiber feeds the probiotic strains and helps them grow in your gastrointestinal tract. 

Probiotics and prebiotics work together to keep the gut microbiome healthy and balanced. 

How Do I Know if My Dog Needs a Probiotic?

Usually, a healthy dog should be able to maintain a healthy balance of probiotic microbes quite naturally. 

However, if your dog is experiencing any stress, malnutrition, or illness, its digestive system can become imbalanced.

In this case, your dog may respond well to a probiotic supplement. This supplement can help a dog restore the natural balance of digestive microflora.

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to provide your canine with a probiotic supplement if:

  • They are ageing and digesting food becomes harder
  • They’ve experienced a dramatic change in their diet
  • They’ve recently had parasites, such as worms
  • If they’re taking medicines, such as steroids or antibiotics

What Are the Benefits of Giving My Dog a Probiotic?

When we look at probiotic supplements for dogs, such as PRO-Pet, we find plenty of benefits.

Several studies have shown that species-specific strains, such as Enterococcus faecium can help dogs with:

  • Managing yeast and supporting the overall immune system
  • Prevent anxiety
  • Reduce stress levels
  • Improve resistance to food allergies
  • Helps alleviate diarrhea

Combating Diarrhea

A number of things can cause diarrhea. Most often, we find that sudden changes to your dog’s diet, stress, or microbial imbalance from using antibiotics or steroids can cause diarrhea.

That being said, a single daily tablet can help your best friend stay their healthiest at all times.

Can a Puppy Take Probiotics?

Probiotics are generally safe for humans and animals. Even puppies can take probiotics, as long as it’s species-specific strains meant for dogs. Sometimes puppies experience bouts of diarrhea, which would be the perfect case to provide a probiotic supplement. Duration of probiotic supplementation should be recommended by a qualified professional. 

These microbes will help your puppy build a robust immune system and reduce the chances of diarrhea, constipation, or digestive tract infections.

Can My Dog Take a Human Probiotic Supplement?

It is always advised to consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any kind of probiotic. If you give your dog a human probiotic, it will not provide the same benefits a species-specific probiotic. Dog-specific probiotics provide dogs with the essential microflora that their digestive tracts require to stay healthy.

For instance, probiotics meant for kids won’t provide your dog with the same benefits as they would for a child. Dogs require specific strains of microflora, so it’s best not to mix them.

What Probiotic Should I Give My Dog?

While there are thousands of probiotic supplements on the market, everything from probiotics for toddlers to probiotics for men, you want to find the one that will suit your dog's individual needs.

If a probiotic offers numerous benefits, has hundreds of positive reviews, and is manufactured with clean and transparent ingredients; we know it’s a reliable, effective probiotic.

Our favorite probiotics for dogs are Hyperbiotics PRO-Pets probiotic supplement.

PRO-Pets from Hyperbiotics

Species-specific probiotic strains

This probiotic offers six specific probiotic strains to meet the needs of dogs and cats. Hyperbiotics specifically chose these strains to provide your pet with the probiotics they require for a healthy lifestyle.

This product has a patented delivery mechanism to provide your four-legged companion with the maximum benefit possible. 

The delivery mechanism ensures that the probiotic microflora reaches the digestive tract. This is where the probiotics will then flourish and keep your dog’s digestive health in check.

Easy to take

Taking the tiny pearl is also pretty straightforward. You can hide the probiotics in your dog’s food or a treat. It has a natural pork flavor so you don’t have to sneak their supplements into a spoonful of peanut butter. 

A single daily tablet is the directed use. However, you should always follow the recommendations of a qualified professional. The six probiotic strains will improve digestive health and will boost energy levels throughout the day.

Positive reviews

Over 650 reviews back the effectiveness of PRO-Pets. This probiotic scores a 4.5-star rating out of a possible five stars. 

This excellent rating shows that hundreds of pet owners find PRO-Pets to be an effective and valuable probiotic supplement for dogs. 

Affordable pricing

Luckily, the best probiotic for dogs doesn’t have to be expensive. You can get a 60-count bottle of PRO-Pets for only $20. 

This price means you pay less than 35 cents per day to keep your best friend healthy and happy. It’s also a friendly enough price that won’t break your budget.

Savvy shoppers can benefit from the Healthy Habit subscription to help save an additional 10%.

What we love about it

  • A patented delivery system means the probiotics can get to work where they’re needed most
  • Great balance of six powerful probiotic strains
  • Irresistible pork flavor makes it a favorite for dogs
  • Affordable price
  • Does not require refrigeration

Who it’s perfect for

  • Dogs suffering from flatulence, diarrhea, or upset stomach
  • Any dog that’s recently taken antibiotics or steroids
  • If you want to ensure your dog has a healthy, well-balanced digestive system

When Should I Give a Probiotic to My Dog?

We recommend giving the probiotic hidden in a treat or snack before a meal or going to bed. Doing this gives the supplement enough time to reach the digestive tract.

If you’re planning on moving, boarding, or traveling with your dog, it’s also a good idea to provide probiotics as a preventive measure against diseases and digestive issues. 

It’s pretty common for dogs, even healthy ones, to develop diarrhea or upset tummies when feeling stressed. 

Probiotics will help maintain a healthy digestive system and combat feelings of stress and anxiety.

Puppies, in particular, benefit from taking probiotics a couple of days before going to the vet or training. 

How Can I Maximize the Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs?

While probiotics are excellent health supplements, you can do several other things to help get the most out of a probiotic.

You should always strive to provide your four-legged friend with a healthy, species-appropriate diet. Just like humans have to consume a healthy diet and avoid junk food, so should your dog.

Typically, preservatives and other synthetic chemicals found in low-quality junk food can damage the tissues of the digestive tract. This damage can then flood your dog's body with toxins.

Another important aspect is that of managing stress levels. While you can’t always avoid specific stress, such as traveling and lifestyle imbalances, it’s essential to practice preventative measures.

Stress and its effects can throw off a dog’s digestive balance. This imbalance can destroy the beneficial microflora in the digestive tract and lead to various health issues.

Remember that your dog relies on you to look after them. It will help if you protect your dog from stress. When you do this, you’ll help improve their long-term health.

Can Probiotics for Dogs Cause any Side Effects?

Most healthy dogs don’t experience any severe side effects when taking probiotics. 

However, there are rare cases of dogs with poor immune systems that develop side effects when taking a probiotic supplement.

If you find that your dog’s diarrhea, bloating, constipation, or gas worsens when taking a probiotic supplement, it’s best to stop the treatment immediately.

If unsure, we advise that you consult a medical professional.

Our Final Thoughts

Providing your best friend with a dog-friendly probiotic is a wise, responsible decision. 

Probiotics can help balance digestive health, reduce diarrhea, minimize gas and bloating.  

So, if you’re looking for the best probiotics for a dog, check out Hyperbiotics PRO-Pets supplement. When you do, your best friend will thank you for it!

If you are curious about other probiotics suitable for pets, we recommend doing some research and consulting a qualified medical professional.

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**This blog is for information and education purposes only. This information is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions in regards to a medical condition. A qualified healthcare professional can best assist you in deciding whether a dietary supplement is suitable.