The Best Probiotics for Dogs in 2022

At first glance, it might seem that all of these natural probiotics for dogs all do the same job. Of course, each one should contain the basics for maintaining a healthy gut. However, as with all things, the biggest differences lie hidden in plain sight.

Still confused? To start with, you’ll need to look for a probiotic that includes the following microbe types, as they will lay the best foundation for a healthy gut:

•  Enterococcus faecium

Found in the dog’s stomach, the enterococcus faecium will aid in digestion and ensures a good mix of bacteria remains present

• Lactobacillus acidophilus

Found within the digestive tract, this bacteria is naturally occurring, although the amount can change over time. They help with digestion, as well as aiding the immune system.

•  Lactobacillus casei

These bacteria work to protect the lining of the digestive tract, as well as aiding digestion.

• Lactobacillus plantarum

A very strong bacterium which helps to treat diarrhea, as well as improving your dog’s liver health (therefore aiding in enzyme production and so on)

•  Bifidobacterium bifidum

These little workers help to bring balance to your dog’s digestive tract while aiding in digestion itself.

• Bifidobacterium animalis

Naturally found in the large intestine, these (once again) aid in digestion but also support a healthy immune system within your dog.

• VSL#3

One of the most powerful pieces of the puzzle, VSL#3 contains billions of live bacterium. Strong enough to survive the harsh environment of the digestive tract- including the stomach- this ingredient works in sync with probiotics to provide a powerful boost to your pup’s immune system.

Now you know the basics of what should be included with your probiotics, you’ll need to look at the more specific aspects of your pro or prebiotics of choice. For starters, you should consider the age of your dog before buying any of the options presented to you, as not all probiotics are made for all dogs.

Puppies should be on stable wet and dry food, comfortably, before attempting to add any extras to their food, as their stomach may not be able to handle the changes. That said, natural probiotics should also do no harm to younger pups- in this case, it’s best to consider speaking with your vet prior to administering any changes in a young puppies’ diet. Find out more about puppy food here.

The best option for young dogs is to find a probiotic made specifically with their stomach’s needs in mind. A dog and a puppy have a world indifference in the requirements needed to aid in healthy digestion and the best probiotic manufacturers should acknowledge this by providing a puppy and adult version of each type.

You should also consider the method of each probiotic’s administration- some dogs may not think twice about downing a tablet in one go, whereas other will need a bit of persuasion! If this is the case, you may decide to go for the treat format of supplements, which comes with a more appealing taste and scent that your dog might be more approving of. There are also multiple other formats, including liquids, powder and dog food- once you’ve found the method that works for you, stick with it. Dogs love routine as much as they love their humans, and they’ll appreciate their new treat once they’ve become used to it.

Head over to our review of Dog Pill Shooter for more options.

Finally, you should take into consideration any health problems your dog may currently have. You’ll need to check with your vet before buying your preferred probiotic, to see if there will be any interactions between their medicines and new supplements. If you’re given the go-ahead, check out some of the options available to you, as there are some probiotics designed to work specifically for certain illnesses, which can help your dog immeasurably.

What initially began as purely anecdotal evidence has matured over time to full, scientifically-backed studies which have proven that there are multiple benefits to giving your dogs probiotics. For example, one study completed in 2010 found that dogs who were given probiotics were able to recover from bouts of diarrhea up to three days faster than dogs who given no supplements at all.

Given that 70% of the immune system and 80% of plasma cells are made and stay in your dog’s gut, it’s easy to understand how having a healthy digestive tract can have a knock-on effect to the rest of your dog’s immune system and health overall. So, in the same way that Lactobacillus Plantarum can benefit the liver of the dog, the liver can then fully support digestion, as well as the creation of beneficial enzymes, detoxify dangerous substances and metabolize drugs. From this, you can clearly see the benefits of the probiotic don’t stop at the stomach!

Other benefits to your dog’s digestive tract and overall health include:

• An improved immune system, as a healthy dog is able to fight off toxins and bad bacteria much more effectively
• Being able to manage long-term conditions. Although they won’t cure any issues your dog may have, they can certainly work together with your prescribed medication to help combat issues, such as kidney disease.
• Reduce cholesterol levels, benefitting your dog’s heart health and blood flow
• The reduction of pain and swelling due to the anti-inflammatory properties found in a healthy gut
• Shorter bouts of diarrhea, as well as the gas, cramping and general sickness associated with gastrointestinal issues
• An improved recovery time when poorly, as well as reduced stress and improved emotional well-being, possibly found from the improved overall health.

In a generally healthy dog, there are unlikely to be any side effects that would make your dog uncomfortable or poorly, although there would naturally be some low-key side effects that would naturally accompany any changes to your dog’s diet. The most common of which would likely be gas or bloating, as your dog’s digestive tract becomes accustomed to the changes in their stomach’s environment.

There are also likely to be side effects that are more moderate for dogs who take other supplements or medicine, as the changes will likely “double-up”. This is why it’s very important to chat with your vet before administering any changes or adding any supplements to your dog’s diet.

Known side effects include:

• Slowed metabolic rate
• Over-stimulation of the immune system
• Constipation

These are incredibly rare, but you should still be on the look out for these symptoms, as they can worsen over time. According to PetMD, these are only likely to occur when the ingredients listed on the product do not match up to what is actually inside the supplements. Yes, unfortunately, this does happen as the industry is not yet regulated- meaning that you’ll likely find estimates when it comes to the correct dosage.

Of course, some are better than others and have sought out as much approval as they are able, while others have worked with vets and various professionals in an attempt to find the best measurements for optimal puppy health- and these are the ones we have tried to include in our top picks.

Take a look at our reviews of Dog Vitamins and CBD Oils for Dogs for more options.

Being highly rated by both users and vets, there was an obvious top choice when it came to Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora Dog Probiotic Supplement. This is the best puppy supplement out there as it is so easy to use, and dogs seem to love the taste- simply add a sachet to your dog’s food each day.

Once administered, reviewers claim a world of difference in their dogs and many were even recommended this brand over others by their vets. With 30 sachets in each box, each one will last roughly a month, so if you and your dog love it, be sure to stock up while the price is right!