Reviewed by: Dr. Robert Menardi, DVM
There has been a lot of attention paid in recent years to maintaining our gut health with probiotics in order to ensure not just good digestive health but also for its influence on our overall well-being. The strong connection between a healthy gut and good general health is also true for our dogs, and the benefits of probiotics can range from improved digestion to a strengthened immune system to better mental health. An exciting new field of research is exploring the gut brain axis (GBA) and the impact the gut biome has on emotional and cognitive brain functions. One of the most important ways to establish a good gut biome for us and our fur family is by ensuring an adequate number of beneficial bacteria for their positive effects and to crowd out ‘bad’ bacteria that can be harmful.
Table of Contents:
- What Are Probiotics?
- Why Give Your Dog Probiotics?
- How to Give Your Dog Probiotics
- Types of Probiotics
- What to Look for in a Probiotic
- To Consider
- The Bottom Line
What Are Probiotics?
Our bodies host over 500 different species of organisms in our digestive tracts, each mix unique for every person or animal. Sometimes illness or stress causes them to fall out of balance, and the result can be stomach upset, diarrhea, and other health problems. In 1965, the term ‘probiotics’ was coined to be the opposite of ‘antibiotics’. Probiotics are the ‘good’ bacteria found in the digestive tracts of all animals that help other microorganisms to grow. They colonize in the gastrointestinal tract and can eliminate the harmful microorganisms and then promote a healthy gut environment.
Prebiotics can also be influential in overall health. Prebiotics feed the probiotics that are present in the body. They are often found in high fiber foods.
Why Give Your Dog Probiotics?
The balance between healthy gut microbes and harmful bacteria can be upset by illness or stress, and your pet can suffer from stomach upset, diarrhea, or general malaise when this happens. Your veterinarian might recommend probiotic treatment for these various ailments.
Conditions that could benefit from probiotics include:
- Stomach upset
- Allergies
- Coat shine
- Immune disorders
- Diarrhea
A few factors that can impact your dog’s gut biome are:
- Stress: sudden changes such as moving to a new home, spending time in a boarding facility, or struggling with separation anxiety can lead to diarrhea. It has been shown that probiotics are as effective in clearing diarrhea as antibiotics when given to dogs with diarrhea in animal shelters.
- Illness: infection or parasitic worms
- Diet: abruptly changing your dog’s food or giving them a food that does not meet their nutritional requirements can lead to diarrhea.
- Medications: in addition to killing the harmful bacteria that are causing illness, antibiotics also kill many of the helpful organisms.
Probiotics can work to help your dog in these situations. They can also be given ahead of time if you know there is a triggering event coming up in order to boost the quantity of good bacteria.
How to Give Your Dog Probiotics
Probiotics are available as:
- Capsules
- Powders
- In dog food
- In yogurt or kefir with live cultures. Note: be sure to only give your dog plain yogurt that is unsweetened. Sweetened yogurts can include xylitol, which is deadly for dogs.
Types of Probiotics
Most probiotics fall into these two major classifications, known as genera:
- Bifidobacteria: these are the bacteria usually found in food and supplements. They boost the immune system, limit the growth of harmful bacteria, and help make vitamins and other nutrients available from foods.
- Lactobacillus: these bacteria are made in the body and work to break down lactose and to make lactic acid. This allows the body to absorb minerals, works to strengthen muscles, and limits the population of harmful bacteria.
Within each of these large groups, there are numerous species of probiotics. Each affects the body in a different way. The species name is paired with the genus it belongs to and may be abbreviated L. or B.
Common probiotics normally found in dogs are:
- Lactobacillus casei: improves the dog’s ability to maintain healthy populations of L. acidophilis.
- Bifidobacterium animalis: aids digestion and fights against food borne bacteria.
- Bifidobacterium longum: produces an antioxidant that helps to break down carbohydrates in the intestinal tract. Recent research by Dr. Ragen T.S. McGowan, a pet behavior researcher, determined that dogs who take supplements of B. longum showed mental health benefits such as diminished barking and other stress behaviors.
- Bifidobacterium breve: fights infection and helps the body absorb nutrients.
What to Look for in a Probiotic
When purchasing a probiotic for your dog, there are a few elements to look for.
These include:
- A specific listing of the probiotics contained and which strains of each species. Since each probiotic has a different effect on the GI system, a combination of multiple strains could offer a range of benefits for your dog.
- An expiration date and guaranteed analysis of the number of probiotics that will be alive at the end of the product’s shelf life. Since probiotics are living organisms, certain factors lead to them dying and making the product ineffective. Probiotics are especially susceptible to high temperatures. Even a brief exposure in a hot car can impact the viability of the probiotics.
- Enough bacteria to form colonies. Colony forming units (CFUs) are the measure of viable bacteria in a sample. It is estimated that a probiotic with 1-10 billion CFUs per day is beneficial for dogs.
To Consider
Before adding probiotics to your dog’s diet, it is important to consult with your veterinarian, especially if this is in response to your dog’s struggles with diarrhea.
Some dogs might experience side effects from probiotics, particularly when starting with high doses, including:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Digestive symptoms can worsen before they begin to improve as it may take up to two weeks for the dog’s gut microbiome to be rebalanced. If your dog does not find relief or has other behaviors, such as a lack of interest in food or an inability to eat, consult your veterinarian right away.
The Bottom Line
Probiotics have been shown to have a wide range of benefits for your dog’s health. Always consult with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet or offering supplements, as your dog’s intestinal distress could be a symptom of a potentially serious health issue.
Sources:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/probiotics-for-dogs/
https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/pets/best-probiotics-for-dogs#dog-probiotics-faqs-7
