The Best Probiotics for Dogs in 2022

Probiotics for Dogs: Buying Guide

With so many pet supplements to choose from and terms like CFUs, strains, and live cultures baffling the mind, finding the right probiotic for your pup may be quite challenging. But not to worry as we’ve got you covered. In this buying guide, we talk about everything you should know about canine supplements and probiotics so you can gain a better understanding of what these products are and what they bring to the table. We also talk about the things you should look for in effective pet probiotics and touch on the topic of human probiotics for dogs.

Are probiotics for dogs really necessary?

Just as probiotics provide us with exceptional benefits by improving the overall functioning of our digestive tracts, live cultures of beneficial bacteria given to pets can also spell the same amazing benefits. But do they really need it? This question is often asked by those who are relatively new to pet parenting. Before we explore the different reasons why you may want to give your pooch a probiotic, let us first cover some basics.

Probiotics are essentially live microorganisms, bacteria to be more specific, that are safely cultured in the lab and then packaged in easy-to-administer supplements for pets. You may wonder why we need to introduce bacteria into the canine gut. It has something to do with balance. There are countless bacteria in your pet’s (and yours!) body, especially their gastrointestinal tract. These are microorganisms that secrete certain substances that aid in the digestion of food, as well in modulating the responses of the immune system.

While most microbial flora in the gut is useful or beneficial, some are quite the opposite. Many of these ‘bad bacteria’ are not inherently harmful, however, in the process of their growth, they tend to secrete substances or metabolic byproducts that significantly lower the pH levels of the gut, making it easier for other pathogenic microorganisms to settle in. These can come from contaminated food or even from other sources introduced into the gut when dogs chew on things or accidentally eat something they shouldn’t.

The good thing is that the beneficial bacteria are known to synthesize and release short-chain fatty acids or SCFAs. It is these fatty acids that help inhibit the activity as well as the growth of harmful gut bacteria. The important thing to understand is that these bad bacteria can be essentially rendered harmless and effectively flushed out by the colony of beneficial bacteria if the latter is in majority.

Sadly, there are instances when the number of harmful microorganisms is sufficiently greater than the population of friendly gut bacteria. This is often characterized by the following clinical manifestations.

• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Gas
• Bad breath
• Allergies
• Skin rashes and hot spots

Probiotic supplements essentially “add” to the population of good bacteria in the gut to reestablish balance and enable these microorganisms to release more SCFAs to fight and inactivate the bad bacteria. Manufacturers of these supplements have to be very careful in the formulation of their products, though, as introducing more than a sufficient number of strains could potentially result in the different good bacteria fighting against each other. That is why the American Kennel Club strongly recommends putting only a few strains of beneficial bacteria in any given product to help prevent such a phenomenon.

Some of the more common good bacteria that are often included in supplements include the following.

• Enterococcus faecium
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• Bacillus coagulans
• Bifidobacterium animals
• Lactobacillus casei
• Bifidobacterium bifidum
• Lactobacillus plantarum

There are other beneficial bacteria that can be ‘re-introduced’ into the gut of our canine friends to help re-establish balance. What you need to remember is that your dog simply cannot have all of these microorganisms at the same time as the risk of “infighting” among these species can undermine their effectiveness.

Benefits of dog probiotics

• Treatment of intestinal inflammation and IDB Since one of the essential causes of intestinal inflammation as well as irritable bowel syndrome (IDB) is the presence of toxins that irritate the intestinal and colon lining, introducing live cultures of beneficial bacteria can help suppress, if not totally eliminate, the activity of offending microorganisms. Again, this is done by increasing the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) that produce SCFAs.
• Boosting of the immune systemThere is another reason why probiotics are well-regarded when it comes to ensuring optimum canine well-being. Along the entire length of the digestive tract are tracts of lymphatic vessels which are primarily known for carrying a variety of disease-fighting cells. These cells fight the pathogens present in the gut which can include bacteria and even viruses. However, they can only do this if the integrity of the intestinal lining is maintained. Beneficial bacteria help improve the integrity of this lining to help boost the functioning of the lymphatic cells, and the entire immune system.
• Help in the prevention of urinary tract infectionsWe mentioned above that beneficial bacteria can help boost the immunity by strengthening the interface between the gut and the lymphatic vessels. This helps prevent the entry of viruses and bacteria from the gut and into the lymph where these can be drained into the general circulation. And since blood circulates through the kidneys, these harmful microorganisms can attach to the urinary tract, which is how the infection starts. Preventing infection is made possible by the addition of probiotics to your pet’s diet.
• Aid in the reduction of allergic reactionsThe inhibition of the activity of offending microorganisms can also lead to a reduction in allergic reactions which is further strengthened by a fully functioning immune system. Technically, this is ensured by the reduction in intestinal permeability as the probiotics strengthen the lining of the intestines, lessening the contact between allergens in the gut and hyper-reactive immune system cells in the lymph vessels.

  Aside from these, dog probiotics are also known to reduce the occurrence of bad breath by reducing the number of pathogenic microorganisms in the gut. They also help improve the appearance and health of your dog’s coat and skin while reducing gassiness. Some studies also point to the potential benefit of probiotics in the reduction of incidences related to yeast or fungal activity.

  So, does your dog need a probiotic? Based on what we have discussed so far, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’.

What you should look for in the best probiotic for dogs

Now that you know the importance of dog probiotic supplements, as well as their benefits, it’s time to get right down to the business of selecting the correct product for your pup. Unfortunately, there are no clear guidelines on what constitutes the ‘ideal’ probiotic for canines. However, the following guidelines are something to keep in mind.

• Number of colony forming units (CFUs)All probiotic products come with different numbers of colony forming units or CFUs. Some come in the hundreds of millions while others boast of billions for each serving. This can be quite misleading since getting a product that says it contains 400 billion CFUs can be easily interpreted as very exceptional. However, you need to read between the lines as this value often encompasses the entire product and not a single serving. For example, you may have a 400-gram jar saying it contains 400 billion CFUs. What this means is that the entire 400 grams are equivalent to 400 billion CFUs, or simply 1 billion CFU per gram.

  The main issue is not really in the amount of CFUs these products contain, but rather the lack of knowledge on how much our pooches need. There really is no way for us to determine if 1 billion CFUs is sufficient to produce the much-desired benefits for our pets, or if 100 million is already enough. Given that we have no idea just how many naturally beneficial bacteria are present in our dogs’ guts, it is often wise to start with a smaller number of CFUs, say 100 million. If there are no beneficial effects within a given time frame, then you can try to increase the dose to 200 million and up in time. The idea is to establish a minimum quantity of CFUs that provide desirable health outcomes and benefits.

• The diversity of bacterial strainsWe mentioned that including too many bacterial strains in any given product may have the opposite effect of what you desire for your pooch’ digestive health. That is why the AKC recommends starting off with fewer strains then gradually work your way up. However, it is a must that the product contains a good mix of both Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli species as these two have been extensively studied for their effects.
• Guarantee of potency and shelf stabilityIt’s crucial to select a product that is not only potent but also stable. The reason for this is that these supplements come from living microorganisms that tend to decay and lose their potency over time. Look for reputable manufacturers, and preferably products made in the USA.
• Clean and clear labelingRelated to the guarantee of potency and shelf stability is the transparency of the labeling. Products should disclose all of their ingredients, including any additives used. This is important because if your dog is allergic to any ingredient or substance, you want to be able to avoid supplements that contain it. Another thing to pay attention to is whether the product provides a guaranteed analysis of its ingredients.

Can I give my dog probiotics for humans instead?

You might be inclined to think that the Lactobacillus casei present in your favorite probiotic can also be beneficial when given to your pooch. While it is true that these human products have not been proven to be harmful to dogs, it should be noted that the digestive system of humans is inherently different from that of dogs. There are differences in digestive enzymes, stomach fluid acidity, and even the unique features of the gut. Human probiotic products have never been formulated and tested to work specifically on dogs. As such, it is a lot safer to simply stick with dog probiotic supplements.

Dog probiotics are exceptionally useful microorganisms that provide a host of benefits for our pets including a boost in their immune system, the reduction of many gastrointestinal problems, the improvement in their coat and skin, and so much more. It is thus imperative that you look into the products’ quantity of CFUs and various strains, as well as potency guarantee, and clarity of labeling to help you choose one that is best for your furry friend.

Sources:

1. Rania Gollakner, BS, DVM, Probiotics, VCA
2. Dr. Jenna Ashton DVM, MS, The Pros and Cons of Pet Probiotics, Vetstreet
3. Teresa Manucy, DVM, Probiotics for Dogs: Do They Work?, PetMD