Have you ever wondered if you should add a daily probiotic supplement to your dog’s routine? They’ve gained popularity – for both human health and canine wellness – and for good reason. Let’s dig in!
Your Dog’s Gut …
Within your dog’s digestive tract lies a bustling city of bacteria and microorganisms, collectively known as the microbiome. Think of it as a vibrant community where both good and bad bacteria coexist. Let’s focus on that good bacteria, AKA probiotics. They’re the superheroes in this microbial city and, when in proper balance, they contribute significantly to your dog’s overall health and well-being. Probiotics play a role in supporting digestion, immunity, and much more.
The Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs
Digestive Health
- Probiotics foster a diverse and balanced community of beneficial bacteria in the gut and help to crowd out “bad” bacteria.
- They can enhance the breakdown of food in the digestive tract, aiding in the absorption of nutrients.
- Probiotics help regulate the fermentation process in the gut, potentially reducing excessive gas production. In other words, less toot-toots!
- A well-balanced microbiome may contribute to firmer and well-formed stools.
- Probiotics can help regulate bowel movements, potentially reducing the occurrence of diarrhea and easing constipation in dogs.
Immune System
- About 70-80% of your dog’s immune system resides in the gut. So, naturally, the bacteria in the gut are critical to your dog’s health.
- Probiotics help regulate the immune response, potentially reducing the risk of infections and supporting overall immune health.
According to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, conditions that may benefit from probiotic treatment include:
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Bad breath
- Coat quality
- Diarrhea
- Immune disorders
- Intestinal inflammation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Liver disease
- Obesity
- Skin disorders
- Urinary tract infections
They can also benefit yeast overgrowth and leaky gut syndrome.
Dog-Safe “Human” Foods Rich in Probiotics
Probiotics are naturally found in many foods. Some dog-safe options include:
- Yogurt: Opt for plain, unsweetened yogurt with live cultures. Add a scoop to your pup’s food bowl, spread it onto a lick mat, use it as the base of frozen treats, or let them lick it straight from the spoon!
- Goat’s Milk: Brands like Primal and The Honest Kitchen make goat milk for dogs and, among the many benefits, it’s a good source of probiotics. Use it to moisten your pup’s food, add it to homemade treats, or let them lick it straight from a bowl!
- Kefir: This fermented milk drink is rich in probiotics and can be a yummy addition to your dog’s diet. Make sure to choose varieties without added sugars.
- Bone Broth: When made properly, bone broth can be a good source of probiotics that support your dog’s gut health. Much like the other foods on this list, you can use it to moisten your pup’s meals, use it in frozen treats, or let them lick straight from a bowl!
- Apple Cider Vinegar: When used sparingly and appropriately diluted, apple cider vinegar can be added to your dog’s water or food to introduce probiotics. Talk to your vet before adding ACV to your dog’s diet.
- Fermented Foods: According to Dogs Naturally, foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi can be a healthy part of your dog’s diet. Note: When buying store-bought fermented foods for your dog, ensure the ingredient label doesn’t include any additives that are toxic to dogs. Plus, Dogs Naturally states, “Fermented foods can also be a problem for dogs with SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and yeast infections, so use in moderation and with caution.” Talk to your vet before adding fermented foods to your dog’s diet.
Tips for Finding a High-Quality Probiotic Supplement
In addition to finding probiotics in various food sources, there are also probiotic supplements designed for dogs. When choosing a probiotic supplement for your dog, consider the following factors:
- Strain Diversity: Look for a supplement that contains a variety of probiotic strains to provide comprehensive support to your dog’s gut microbiome.
- CFU Count: Probiotics are measured in colony-forming units, or CFUs. A higher CFU count indicates a more potent and effective probiotic supplement.
- Prebiotic: Probiotics are living bacteria. Like any living entity, they need to eat. That’s where prebiotics come into play. Prebiotics are soluble, indigestible fibers that feed probiotics. Without them, probiotics will be less effective and eventually die off. That’s why it’s important to find a probiotic supplement that contains a prebiotic source. Prebiotics are found in foods like bananas, apples, pumpkins, asparagus, and more.
- Added Ingredients: Check ingredient labels to ensure the supplements aren’t filled with inactive, non-essential ingredients, like sugars and starches. Additionally, a quality probiotic should be free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- The Brand’s Reputation: Choose supplements from reputable brands with a history of producing high-quality pet products.
The Probiotic Supplement I Use
One notable probiotic supplement for dogs is by Native Pet. They offer a powder formula that’s complete with good strain diversity, a high CFU, a prebiotic source, well-sourced ingredients, and doesn’t include any junk fillers!
Beef broth (dehydrated), organic pumpkin seed, organic inulin (from Jerusalem artichoke), probiotic blend (Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product)*
Here’s a photo of the full label, which offers plenty of great info:
Sprinkle the probiotic powder into your dog’s food daily – or as needed – to enhance their digestive health and overall well-being! My dogs get one scoop of this in their breakfast every morning and it’s been a great addition to their routine!
