We’ve heard of probiotics for humans – every yogurt brand seems to want them in their product now! – and gut health is more widely talked about, but what about probiotics for dogs? What can a probiotic do for your dog? And, are they worth the hype in canines too…?
What Are Probiotics For Dogs?
We all have bacteria in our gut, and most of it is essential, good bacteria that keep our gut ticking over and working at optimal levels. Probiotics refer to the microbes (the bacteria/yeast) that dwell in the gut. There are literally billions of microbes living in all animal’s guts (including humans!), and they work to sustain the immune system, aid in healthy digestion, and make vital vitamins and nutrients for the body to use. The good bacteria that live in your pup’s tummy are called commensal bacteria and these are necessary for the healthy functioning of their digestive system.
Probiotics may be labeled on products as:
- Enterococcus faecium
- Bacillus coagulans
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus casei
If your dog’s gut health is out of balance, they may become generally unwell and under the weather. If this is the case, it could be that their gut needs some additional support!
Here are 6 amazing reasons why you should be considering introducing probiotics to your dog…
Probiotics For Dogs
They Can Support Oral Health
Probiotics have been touted as a potential way of addressing dental plaque and freshening dog breath! Encouraging healthy levels of good bacteria in the gut can promote good bacteria in your pup’s mouth, meaning you can help support canine dental health via their gut!
They Can Support Dogs With Seasonal Allergies
When a dog experiences seasonal allergies, a trigger can cause their immune system to go into overdrive because it perceives a certain particle as a risk to the body. This may manifest in occasional skin itchiness, head shaking, or sneezing!
Having a healthy gut is essential for dogs who experience seasonal/occasional allergies because here in the GI tract, the body can help maintain a good bacterial balance. This in turn supports their immune system during allergy season!
They Can Help Senior Dogs Stay Perky
As with humans, when dogs get older, their bodies and their functionings become slower, and can sometimes have a weaker immune system. When around 70% of immune cells are located in the gut, it’s important to stay on top of the good bacteria located there to help a maturing Fido stay happy and healthy in their older years!
They Can Help Aid Doggy Digestion
If your dog experiences gastrointestinal distress (caused by emotional stress, seasonal allergies or other challenges) they may be displaying some physical signs like less energy, disinterest in food, or even sadness*.
Together with good levels of water, regular exercise and the introduction of probiotics can promote a healthy gut and overall digestive health. These signs of an unhappy gut and GI tract should be addressed, as they’re as upsetting for your dog as for you, so introducing probiotics to their daily diet can help foster healthy bowel activity and ease their tummy discomforts!
*If your dog is displaying symptoms like this, always get them checked over by a vet first.
They Can Help Improve Behavior
If your dog’s gut is grumpy, more often or not they’ll be grumpy too! Did you know that a change in mood is one of the first signs your pet is feeling under the weather? They might excessively lick their tummy or withdraw from socializing/playing etc. In the process of improving their gut health with probiotics, this will have a knock-on effect on their mood too! A healthy dog is a happy dog!
PetLab Co.’s In-House Pet Consultant Nicole’s Inside Knowledge
“As mentioned above, the microbiome consists of commensal bacteria (i.e. they are always present!) and they have a symbiotic relationship with dogs, meaning they feed on the same food and don’t cause any problems. The small intestine in adult dogs can contain as many as 700 different strains of bacteria, while the canine large intestine may have as many as 5000 different strains! And, each dog has its own unique microbiome.
“Probiotics are great for preventing a shift/imbalance in bacterial populations after stress. This is why probiotics are an important part of your routine, as they can help diversify the essential bacterial flora in your pup’s gut.”
Sources
Authors Zambori, Csilla and Morvay, Attila Alexandru and Sala, Claudia and Licker, Monica and Gurban, Camelia and Tanasie, Gabriela and Tirziu, Emil “Antimicrobial Effect Of Probiotics On Bacterial Species From Dental Plaque” US National Library Of Medicine, Mar 31. 2016 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27031452/
