Should You Give a Dog a Probiotic? A Guide to Gut Health for Your Pup

When your dog doesn’t feel well, it may be time for a gut decision. Roughly 70 percent of a canine’s immune system is in their digestive tract, which means a healthy gut plays a big role in keeping your furry friend happy and active.

Every pet parent wants to do what is best for their pup. Fortunately, there’s a simple way that you can support your dog’s gut without much fuss: probiotics. So, if you’ve been wondering, should you give a dog a probiotic, the answer may be yes!

Are Probiotics Good for Dogs?

Probiotics have been around for more than a century, but only recently have we learned more about their benefits for dogs. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in the intestines and help support digestion and overall health. Some of the most effective probiotic strains for dogs include:

• Bifidobacterium animalis
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Bifidobacterium longum
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus casei
• Bacillus subtilis

What do probiotics do, exactly? They help balance your dog’s gut bacteria, supporting digestion and immune function to keep them feeling their best.

What are the Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs?

The various types of probiotics support several different gastrointestinal functions that are key for your furry friend's overall health. These benefits come in multiple forms:

• Probiotics for Digestion: Probiotics can help your dog’s body digest food and treats.
• Probiotics for Immune Support: Probiotics can support immune health by keeping bad bacteria in check and fighting against potential illnesses.
• Probiotics for Vitamin Efficiency: Probiotics can help dogs create vitamins that further support their immune system.
• Probiotics for Cell Health: Probiotics can offer extra support to the cells that line your dog’s gut to prevent bad bacteria from leaving the digestive tract.
• Probiotics for Medication Absorption: Probiotics can offer support in helping your dog break down and absorb any medications.

Maintaining a healthy balance of friendly bacteria plays a major part in helping your four-legged friend live a healthy, active life. With the right probiotics, your canine companion's gut will be better prepared for the future.

Can Dogs Use Human Probiotics?

Like dogs, probiotics can help support digestive health in humans. While both people and pooches can benefit from probiotics, that doesn’t mean that you and your best friend should use the same strains of probiotics.

The reason why human probiotics are not the best solution for dogs is simple – humans and canines have different biological needs. Those differing needs mean that probiotics tested for humans aren’t necessarily right for your dog, and vice versa.

Moreover, human probiotics may come with other ingredients that are not healthy for dogs like added sugars and artificial sweeteners. As a result, always choose probiotics specifically formulated for dogs to ensure they meet your dog’s unique health needs.

Signs Your Dog Needs Probiotics

Probiotics act as reinforcements for your dog’s gut. They are an easy way to help your pup replenish their good bacteria and get a boost to their immune system without much effort.

How do you know if your dog could benefit from probiotics? While every dog is different, some common signs that may indicate a need for probiotics include:

• Bad breath: An imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to smelly breath.
• Loose stool or diarrhea: Digestive issues often signal that your dog needs extra gut support.
• Excessive gas: Frequent flatulence may indicate an imbalance in good and bad bacteria.
• Vomiting: An upset stomach can sometimes be soothed with probiotics.
• Sensitive stomach: If your pup struggles with digestion, probiotics may help regulate their system

If you have concerns about your dog's digestive health, consult your veterinarian to determine the best approach. Even if your dog isn’t showing these signs, probiotics can be a proactive way to support their overall health. Dogs are naturally curious and often get into things, from table scraps to unexpected finds at the park. Keeping their gut strong can help them handle dietary changes with fewer tummy troubles.

What are the Different Forms of Probiotics?

There are a variety of ways that you can support your dog with probiotics. Probiotic supplements for dogs come in a variety of different forms. These include:

• Powders
• Capsules
• Sprays
• Probiotic dog food

Some of these options have downsides that can make them more difficult to use. For example, both pills and capsules can be hard for your dog to swallow.

One of the easiest ways to give your dog probiotics is through their food. Special probiotic dog foods are made to support the digestive and immune systems of dogs. For example, every bag of Bil-Jac Sensitive Solutions Digestive & Immune Support is guaranteed to have at least 80 million CFUs (colony forming units) of canine-specific probiotics per pound of food. This specialized formula provides your dog with a tasty meal and supports healthy digestion in every bite.

What to Look for in Dog Probiotics

It’s important for pet parents to realize that not all probiotics are created equal. Both the strains themselves and the way that they’re stored will have a direct impact on how well they’ll support your best friend. As such, you’ll want to take a close look at available options and protect those beneficial strains.

To make sure you’re giving your dog the best, look for:

• Canine-specific strains: Check the label for probiotics known to benefit dogs.
• Guaranteed CFU count: Ensure the product contains live probiotics at the time of use.
• Expiration date: Probiotics lose effectiveness over time.
• Storage instructions: Some probiotics require refrigeration, while others are shelf-stable.

Note that you can store Sensitive Solutions Digestive & Immune Support like you would any other dry dog foods, in a cool, dry place. If you need some tips on how to store dog food, check out our post on storage best practices.

A Happy Gut = A Happy Dog

Gut health is a big deal for your dog, and probiotics can help you give your furry friend a good boost to be healthy inside and out.

To learn more about what you can do to support a healthy lifestyle for your best friend, join our Best Friends Club to receive more articles about caring for your dog, training tips, members-only discounts on Bil-Jac products and other pup-friendly perks.

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