Many pet parents may not be aware that dog probiotics are beneficial for their furry friends, too. Dog probiotics are live microorganisms that can help maintain a balanced and healthy digestive system, or gi tract in your canine companion as well as improve their overall immune systems. Let’s take a look at why probiotics for dogs are so important and how they can help keep your pup in the best of health.
What Are Probiotics?
Dog probiotics are live beneficial bacteria and yeast found in certain foods or supplements. They have many health benefits and are often referred to as “good bacteria.” They help keep the healthy gut bacteria strong and plentiful.
When it comes to your pup, dog probiotics promote digestive health, boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, improve skin and coat health, aid with allergies, and even assist with weight management. Your dog can consume probiotic supplements in many forms.
How Do Probiotics Help Dogs?
Probiotic supplements work by restoring beneficial bacteria - the microbe of healthy gut bacteria living inside your dog’s digestive tract. If there is an imbalance due to infection or illness, probiotics can help restore it by replenishing good bacteria levels.
This balance helps support digestion, nutrient absorption, and your dog's immune system. By ensuring your pet has optimal levels of beneficial intestinal flora, you can help reduce common issues such as diarrhea or constipation caused by an overgrowth of bad bacteria or yeast that can occur when there is an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota.
Furthermore, probiotics for dogs have been known to reduce inflammation throughout the body which can lead to better overall health for dogs with chronic illnesses such as arthritis or irritable bowel disease (IBD).
In addition, probiotic-rich foods like yogurt also contain calcium which offers other health benefits like strengthening bones and teeth while also providing essential vitamins that help boost weakened immune systems.
What Can I Give My Dog to Provide Probiotics?
Feeding yogurt to your dog is actually a great idea for your dog's gi tract - just be sure there are no artificial sweeteners in the brand you choose! Xylitol is very toxic to dogs! My preferred brand of yogurt for dogs is Activia because of the number of beneficial bacteria in this brand plus the lack of artificial sugars. The flavor you choose doesn't matter ... just experiment to see what flavor your dog prefers.
Did you know you can buy dog food that contains probiotic supplements? Some manufacturers add dog probiotics right into their recipe so that every time your dog eats - probiotic species go right to your dog's gut to aid digestion. Your dog's gastrointestinal tract and immune system will thank you for this addition.
Finally, a probiotic supplement can also be beneficial for dogs who have recently been through a course of antibiotics. These medications kill off both bad and good bacteria in the gut leading to an imbalance that needs to be restored through supplementation with probiotic-rich foods or other supplements.
If your dog has been on an antibiotic for any reason, you need to seriously consider how you will help your dog's gi tract overcome the damage the antibiotic just caused.
Be careful with human probiotics though! Some are ok - but be sure to ask your vet before you give them to Fido! We are happy to help you find probiotics for dogs specifically here!
There are many probiotic supplements you can consider for your doggo. They can come in the form of a pill or powder that can be added to their food or treats.
Just figure out a way to get the healthy bacteria into your pup, whether through dog probiotic supplements, probiotic dog food, or probiotic foods such as yogurt or other naturally fermented foods to get your dog's intestinal health back on track.
Conclusion: Probiotics for Dogs
Adding probiotic bacteria, or beneficial bacteria, to your dog's diet is key for promoting healthy digestion, an improved immune system, and overall well-being. Not only do they help restore balance to their gut microbiota but they also provide essential vitamins & minerals needed for general optimal health as well as aiding with digestion & nutrient absorption issues commonly faced by many canine companions today.
Your dog's immune system is a fragile environment that, just like humans, sometimes needs supplementation. So if you're looking to give your pup's immune health an extra boost of well-being make sure you check out some prebiotic-rich food sources like yogurt that contains lactobacillus acidophilus or consider supplementing them with a quality probiotic supplement formulated specifically for dogs!
With regular use of probiotics for dogs, you'll soon see all the amazing benefits these amazing little microbes offer! Probiotic research concludes that good bacteria in the gi tract are vital to aid digestion, a healthy immune system, and your dog's health overall.
