What Are Canine Probiotics
It seems like thats all you hear these daysbut do you even know what probiotics for dogs really are? In a nutshell, Probiotics are a mixture of live bacteria and/or yeast that lives in your dogs body. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that help keep your dogs gut strong and healthy, and help your pets immune system be strong too.
So when youre giving your doggy probiotics youre actually supplementing beneficial bacteria into his body. The typical bacteria are the ones that will colonize in your dogs gut and help crowd out harmful bacteria that can get into his system in a number of different ways . Supplementing probiotics for your dog can help them have the optimal levels of beneficial gut bacteria and this helps them be healthier, have better digestive comfort and more energy overall.
Dog Probiotics For Yeast
Skin yeast infections in dogs are one of the most common types of infections treated by veterinarians every year. Did you know:
- Many dog breeds are prone to skin yeast infections and require preventive care to avoid suffering recurring infections?
- Causes of yeast infections range from stress and humidity to flea and tick bites?
- Ear infections are yeast infections that can permanently damage a dogs hearing?
- Side effects of corticosteroids routinely given to dogs with yeast infections include breathing problems, fluid retention, hair loss and behavioral changes.
- Using dog probiotics for yeast infection is a safe and effective treatment that has no side effects.
Conditions That May Benefit From Probiotic Treatment
Probiotic species beneficial to dogs
- Bacillus coagulans
- Bifidobacterium animalis helps with acute diarrhea
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium longum helps with anxiety
- Enterococcus faecium
- Lactobacillus acidophilus improves stool quality and frequency
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus plantarum
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What About Prebiotics For Dogs
If youve previously heard of probiotics, you might have also heard the term prebiotics. Prebiotics are fiber sources, such as inulin or larch arabinogalactan, that actually feed the probiotic bacteria. Dr. Morgan says that giving them together ensures the probiotic bacteria will grow, multiply and thrive.
While technically not necessary, probiotics are a very healthy and highly recommended addition to any dogs diet. If theres a specific condition you are concerned about, you can check with your vet first but generally speaking, probiotics for dogs are pretty safe.
Myths Behind Probiotics For Dogs And Cats
Right at this second, there are trillions of bacteria and microbes living in and on your body in areas known as microbiomes.People, pets, plants, and even places can be host to microbiomes . And each is a complex living universe studies have shown that there are 10 times more microbes in a living organism than the number of cells present in the organism itself
While kind of gross to think about, this isnt actually a bad thing. Many of these microbiomes contain good bacteria that can help the body perform physiologic functions and protect against pathogens.
So what does this all mean for your dog or cat? Well, your pets body contains microbiomes, which means their overall health and wellness can be impacted by those microbiomes, too.
Many people take probiotics to keep their gut microbiome balanced and some pet parents are starting to wonder if Fido or Fluffy would benefit from the same.
Theres a fast-growing market for pet probiotics. But, like any emerging science, pet parents would do well to learn a bit more about them before starting to administer these supplements to their dogs and cats.
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Dog Probiotics For Diarrhea
Even the healthiest dogs will experience diarrhea at some point in their lives. With a gastrointestinal system similar to humans, dogs experience many of the same kind of health problems humans do, from stomach aches and flatulence to nausea and, unfortunately, diarrhea. While some incidences of diarrhea in dogs clear up on their own within a day or two, other cases will require additional treatment, such as probiotics for dogs and puppies with diarrhea symptoms, a safe and natural way to restore intestinal health, prevent dehydration and improve overall well-being of dogs.
Some things to keep in mind when treating dogs with diarrhea include:
- Onset of diarrheawas it sudden or gradual?
- Has diarrhea persisted for several days?
- Has there been a change in diet for the dog? More wet food, too many table scraps?
- Has the dog been given veterinary-prescribed medication for the diarrhea and continues to suffer from loose stools?
- Have you considered using probiotics for dogs with diarrhea?
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
Sophie is a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce Pets. For this article, she consulted Dr. Patrick Carney, assistant professor of community practice at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, regarding what to look for when shopping for a probiotic for dogs and whether probiotics made for dogs are substantially supported by scientific evidence.
A previous version of this article was written by Erica Puisis, a freelance writer who has contributed to The Spruce since 2017. To make this list, she considered each pick’s recommended age, type, and use.
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Myth : The Number Of Live Cultures At The Time Of Manufacture Is The Number Of Live Cultures Youll Get
For probiotics to be effective, they must still be alive. Many commercially-available probiotics will claim each dose had a certain number of live cultures at the time of manufacture. This is a misleading claim because that number is not necessarily true by the time the probiotic reaches the consumer. Depending on a supplements shelf life, half of those cultures or more could be dead by the time it reaches consumers. If a pet parent sees this verbiage on a probiotic label, its a red flag.
Once again, probiotics are not well regulated. Medical professionals have been calling for improved quality control in probiotics for some time and pet owners must be diligent regarding sourcing their supplements from trusted brands.
Do Probiotics Help My Dogs Gut Health
Yes! First and foremost probiotics are naturally designed and function to give your dog the healthy gut that they have always needed. Probiotics are a mixture of microorganisms that help to break down food, bad bacteria and other organisms.
Numerous people have found that probiotics have corrected many of their dogs gut health issues. Some of the most common health issues that have been corrected by using dog probiotics are diarrhea, constipation and vomiting. Often times if these health issues go untreated it will result in your dog losing weight and having no improvement in their health. However, dont just take our word for it.
When, Jeannie Branthoover was looking at a way to improve the health of her dogs she found her probiotic answer in raw dog food. Raw dog food is known for its quality levels of probiotics and helped to give her dogs the success they needed to grow properly.
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What Foods Contain Probiotics That Are Safe For My Dog
There are many foods that contain naturally occurring probiotics that are safe for your dog. However, if you are trying to add probiotic rich foods to your dogs diet make sure you do it at a reasonable pace. This is to help you see how your dog responds to new foods and correct your course of action as needed. If you add in probiotic foods gradually it will allow you to remove food from your dogs diet more easily if they begin to show show signs allergies after consuming certain foods.
Can Probiotics Make Pancreatitis Worse In Dogs
Yes, probiotics for dogs with pancreatitis can make the situation worse. However, this is possible if the probiotics are misused or contain an ingredient that the dog is sensitive to.
In a human studyconducted on 296 patients with acute pancreatitis, 30% of patients experienced bowel ischemia after admission of probiotics .
Researchers state that this may be due to the increased local oxygen demand resulting from higher numbers of live bacteria in the body.
Therefore, it is best to consult a veterinarian before adding using probiotics for dogs with pancreatitis.
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Types Of Canine Probiotics
Your dog can get probiotics in several ways, including:
- Yogurt or kefir: Yogurt contains live probiotic cultures, but you should only give your dog unsweetened plain yogurt and avoid any artificial sweeteners like xylitol.1
- Powders: Powders are a great option for dogs because you can add probiotics directly to their food and know that your dog will eat it.
- Capsules: If you’ve mastered the art of giving your dog pills, capsules are another great way to ensure your dog gets the necessary probiotics for their gut health. You can give your dog a pill wrapped in boiled chicken or put it in a treat pill pouch and let your dog swallow it without ever knowing there was a supplement inside.
- Chews: Perhaps the easiest way to give your dog probiotics is to get them a probiotic chew that they’ll believe is nothing more than a delicious treat. Probiotics are a great option for any dog, especially those that don’t take pills well.
- Dog food: Some dog foods contain probiotics, which can be a great way to ensure your dog is getting the proper nutrition and probiotics they need to thrive. You can also find food with prebiotics to feed the probiotics and balance your dog’s gut microbiome.
Effects From Other Ingredients
The main ingredient of a probiotic is the bacteria species and strains. Artificial ingredients are sometimes used in the formulation of these probiotics.
These might cause your dog to suffer some undesirable conditions. Some artificial ingredients may even put your dog at risk of getting infections.
Always ensure that your dog gets a natural supplement, free from artificial ingredients. Amines from probiotics may cause your dog to have a mild headache during the first dose.
Always observe how your dog reacts after administering a probiotic. Your dog should be okay within a few days of taking probiotics. If the side effects become persistent, you need to seek your vets advice.
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What Are In Probiotic Supplements For Dogs
Probiotic supplements for dogs will usually contain one or more types of beneficial bacteria, along with a variety of healthy, natural, and helpful ingredients.
Species-specific strains of probiotics worth noting include Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. These slow the duration and severity of diarrhea, improve stool quality and consistency, boost the immune system, and increase the absorption of nutrients in dogs.
But whats the best probiotic for dogs?
Thats up for debate, of course. But in our daily dose supplement, The One, we use a probiotic called BP-L1. Its a heat-treated probiotic, which, simply put, is more effective than live probiotics. This is because live probiotics tend to be dead on arrival, whereas heat-treated ones are still alive when they get into your dogs system.
At FOTP, we combine the benefits of probiotics with clinically-proven ingredients to support healthy digestion, bolster immune health, improve skin and coat health, and alleviate stress and anxiety. You can check out our full range of products here.
Can I Give My Dog Probiotics Meant For Humans
It is NOT recommended that you give your dog probiotics designed for human consumption. The digestive systems of humans and canines are very different giving your dog human probiotics can cause extreme nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They also may multiply too quickly in your dogs system, causing severe infection or inflammation.
Your dog needs specific probiotic strains beneficial for canines. Your dog needs a probiotic supplement specific to its species.
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Bernies Perfect Poop Uses Premium Strains Of Bacteria: Bacillus Subtillis And Bacillus Coagulans
Both are hardy bacteria, gram-positive and spore producers, which means they get in the intestines and start reproducing spores quickly for your doggys health. They are particularly strong and able to withstand the harsh stomach environment dogs have, and that also means theyre good at standing up to bad bacteria that would try to crowd them out. The Bacillus genus strain actually survives a lot more than other strains of typical probiotic species and while theyre high-quality, combined with our fiber and digestive enzymes, theyre an affordable way to ensure your pets best health with every meal!
The truth about dog probiotics side effects is that theyre very few, if any, and the benefits DEFINITELY make up for it! Give your best friend the best gut health he can have with Bernies Perfect Poop, and be proud of yourself for choosing premium dog probiotics!
Do Dogs Need Probiotics
Probiotics are prescribed for maintaining a desirable intestinal microbial balance. A generally healthy dog should be able to maintain the balance of digestive microbes naturally.
But during times of stress, illness, or malnutrition, an imbalance can occur.
Many dogs respond well to a supplement of beneficial microbes to bring the digestive microflora back in balance.
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Why Does Your Dog Need Probiotics
Probiotics can help keep the bacteria in your dogs gut balanced, support the protective layers of the intestines and assist with normal digestion and nutrient absorption.
The gastrointestinal tract in both humans and dogs is essentially one long tube that includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. Whats more, about 70% of a dogs immune system is associated with their GI tract. The small and large intestines house the good bacteria that are important for your dogs health.
Why You Need To Stick With Probiotics
The healthful benefits of probiotics can take as little as 2-3 days or even up to five weeks depending on the severity and duration of the problem. But rest assured, probiotics will have an effect on gas, loose stool, or diarrhea for your dog.
In most GI related disorders in dogs, such as excess gas, loose stool, or diarrhea, the main cause is dysbiosis. This is an imbalance in the gut bacteria, which favors pathogens . The reason probiotics work so well is that they counteract the bad bacteria when provided in voluminous amounts. Every dog is different, so adjust your dog’s dosage as needed. Probiotic Miracle® makes it easy to dose up or down for your pet as each scoop contains 1 Billion CFU of live bacteria.
With years of success in helping dogs with GI and other related issues, Probiotic Miracle® has been leading the way.
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What Other Pet Parents Say
Omg can we talk about this!!??? Both my dogs breath was atrocious and I knew it had something to do with their digestive health and overall health. Ive had them on this for 2wks and their breath smells great! True story! FYI I give my Heelers fish oils as well. Adding this has worked wonders for my pups. They feel better, no more eating grass, NO MORE STANK BREATH, normal poops. Miracle supplement!!!! Please get this for your dogs!!! Joy
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How Much Probiotics Should I Give My Dog A Day
According to Joseph J. Wakshlag, DVM, Ph.D. from Cornell University, dogs need between 1 and 10 billion CFUs of probiotics per day.
However, the exact amount depends on the dogs body weight, overall health, and the underlying reason for using probiotics. While some dogs benefit from regular, daily use of probiotics, others do well with occasional supplementation.
Before using probiotics for dogs, read the instructions and dosage guidelines on the package. If unsure, consult with your trusted veterinarian.
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Are You Ready For The Most Advanced Feeding Strategy You Will Never Hear In The Dog World
This advanced strategy summed up is, that we need to feed the microbes in the gut. Does that sound odd? Yes, in that this has never been talked about except in advanced production animal facilities and some leading research scientists. They too have a nutritional need!
Nutrition only focuses on the animals nutrient needs and for good reason. Production animal research scientists and producers are looking to raise healthier animals using fewer antibiotics by managing the total gut microbial population with specific pre-biotic nutrients. If you cant keep them alive, you cant keep them around. This is seen in all of the dog research work on probiotics by way of a drop in detection of microbes once supplementation of spiked probiotic was stopped. Environmental pH condition is one factor due to less than ideal food sources for the dogs, let alone the microbes. .
Below is a chart of prophetic sources and the additional breakdown of their structure categories. I bet you didnt think there was this much science into this one aspect!
Probiotics The Intestinal Rainforest
Health begins in the gut increase microbial diversity in the gut and you increase total health
Rogue Pet Science
But if we are to leverage the currently known benefits we will need to change our feeding practices. There is enormous promise in the power of these microbes to make a bigger impact on canine health than the discovery of antibiotics themselves!
The Benefits Of Probiotics For Dogs
What do dogs actually gain from having these good microbes in them? Is it magic or is it a mystery? The benefit of probiotics is they produce beneficial waste products that are extremely useful for the dog as a function of the microbes thriving in whichever part of the gut they live in. Sounds odd, I know, just stay with me. These microbes produce beneficial byproducts by converting fiber and plant-based sugars pulled from the dogs diet. How beneficial can this be? The metabolic products of microbes have helped create the field of Nutrigenomics and advance pharmaceutical research on many health topics.
These by-products are like gold to your dogs body. No, its not actual gold particles nor can they make you rich, but they enrich your dogs gut biochemistry! Such by-products are vitamins and short-chain fatty acids that your dog does not make on its own. The functional presence of the different microbe byproducts, directly and indirectly, helps in the feedback mechanisms of the body organ systems, cell wall strength, and immune function support making these metabolic byproducts extremely useful.Wed go as far as to say, life dependant.
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