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If you’re a regular TV viewer, you’ve probably seen the commercials with Erin Andrews (of ESPN) preaching about the benefits of probiotics. Well, she’s right. Used daily, probiotics help create “good bacteria” in your stomach and keep your body regular.
And guess what? They’re good for your dog too!
In the same way they benefit people, probiotics also benefit your pup by aiding with digestion and overall health.
But they are not the only thing that your dog should be taking…
Read on for some probiotic tips and tricks for both you and your dog!
What are probiotics?
While we often associate bacteria with disease, probiotics are the kind of bacteria that keep your dog’s stomach healthy.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that help to fight off the bad bacteria your dog gets exposed to everyday. They are found naturally in the body but are also found in food (like yogurt) and supplements in the form of pills or powders.
Why Probiotics are good for your dog.
Dogs who have issues with their bathroom breaks – like going too much or too little – can greatly benefit from taking probiotics. They are also known to help prevent urinary tract infections as well as allergic reactions by controlling inflammation.
Certain strains of probiotics are known to benefit dogs specifically. For example, to improve the quality and frequency of your dog’s stools, look for the Lactobacillus acidophilus strain.
Beware of the non- refrigerated probiotic supplements as they usually contain fewer live organisms and will not benefit your dog as much as the refrigerated or freeze-dried variety. Always look at the expiration date on the bottle. If it still has a long time before it expires, it will have many more live organisms than a bottle that is approaching the expiry date.
How much should I give my dog?
Probiotics should be taken either just before or with meals if they are being used to aid with digestion. If you are more concerned you’re your dog’s immune health, then they can be taken at any time..even between meals with water.
If you purchase a probiotic specific to dogs, give the recommended dosage. If you are using human probiotics, give the full recommended dosage to dogs that weight 40 pounds or more. For smaller pups, reduce the dosage accordingly. Always check with your Vet if you re not sure.
Recommended dog probiotics
There are some probiotic supplements that are made especially for dogs. Here are a few (safe) dog-specific probiotic formulas:
Nusentia Probiotic Miracle
VetriScience Probiotic BD Chewable Tablets
Bacillus Coagulans VET by Thorne Research
In addition to these dog-specific supplements, some human probiotic products are totally safe and great for dogs! For example, yogurt( non sweetened) and kefir (with live cultures) contains probiotics and are perfectly safe for dogs. Make sure you choose only yogurt with no added sugar They are the perfect for beginners who aren’t ready to commit to supplements just yet.
Even if your dog isn’t showing any signs of digestion problems, regular probiotic use can help keep your dog feeling their best. They say that 80% of our immune system is in our gut and the same is true of dogs. Give him probiotics daily to keep his immune system strong!
Keep in mind that most dog foods unfortunately lack in nutrient density and dogs will require a digestion/immune system food booster like Juverin to build up his daily defenses. Then you can feel rest assured that your dog is able to fight off the daily invaders!
There are few things worse than stomach problems like throwing up, diarrhea and constipation – in humans AND dogs – and probiotics together with Juverin can help keep issues at bay. You and your pup will be on the way to a healthy gut in no time!
And of course, always speak to your veterinarian prior to trying anything new!
