Best Probiotics To Keep Your Dog Healthy And Happy
If you're like most pet parents, you want to do everything possible to keep your fur babies healthy and happy.
Probiotics for dogs are a great way to do just that. They offer various health benefits, from improving your dog's digestive system to boosting the immune system.
But with so many different probiotics on the market, how do you know which is suitable for your dog? In this article, we'll look at the best probiotics for dogs and break down the key factors you need to consider when making your purchase.
As a proud mother of three fur babies, Lula, Ms. Pepper Potts, and Juniper, this topic is near and dear to my heart - continue reading this article to learn more about the best probiotics for dogs!
My Selection Process
There are a TON of probiotics for dogs on the market, and as pet parents, it can be challenging to know which brands are safe and effective.
First off, not all supplements are created equal. Many of them are ineffective and not the cleanest or safest brands. I've done all the research for you - after HOURS of study and contacting dozens of companies, I've compiled a list of the best dog probiotics on the market.
These products have been proven safe and effective through clinical research and third-party testing for ingredient potency, heavy metal content, pathogens, and microbial contaminants.
Continue reading this blog post to get the full rundown of the best probiotic supplements and find the perfect one for your dog.
Just Thrive Just Pets Probiotic
Best for immune support and healthy digestion.
Why I Dig It
Just Thrive's revolutionary Just Pets Probiotic has been shown to support immune health, soothe itchy skin, and promote calm and balanced behavior in conditions such as separation anxiety and misbehaving pets. It also supports oral health, freshening your pup's breath.
One capsule contains a proprietary probiotic blend of 4 billion CFUs; these include Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, and Pediococcus acidilactici. It also has 180 mg of defatted grass-fed beef liver extract.
This probiotic is shelf-stable, so it doesn't need to be refrigerated to remain effective. Not only that, but Just Thrive utilizes defatted grass-fed beef extract within its ingredient list – something pets can't resist! It contains no wheat, gluten, dairy, soy, or nuts.
As if that weren't enough, this same product can also be used for cats, horses, pigs, and chickens, making Just Thrive one of the most comprehensive pet probiotics on the market today!
The Data Dump
Just Thrive goes the extra mile to ensure the products are of the highest quality. In addition to checking for safety and quality control, all Just Thrive products are tested for contaminants, including heavy metals, solvents, and GMOs.
Each probiotic strain is also DNA-verified, so pet owners can rest assured that they're getting a product that meets the company's high standards.
Just Thrive has been clinically proven to be 100% alive once it reaches your pet's gut; its effectiveness surpasses many other probiotics on the market.
Just Thrive does not provide the Certificates of Analysis to the public. However, Just Thrive takes quality control seriously; they undertake rigorous third-party testing to ensure safety and verify that their probiotic strains are authentic.
All-in-all, Just Thrive’s Just Pet Probiotic is a great choice and a company I trust - I use this product regularly for my dogs.
Adored Beast Apothecary Healthy Gut
Best pre and probiotic for healthy digestion and immune support.
Why I Dig It
Healthy Gut is a 100% natural supplement that is free from parabens, non-GMO, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. It is specifically designed to promote digestion, support a strong immune system, and restore a healthy balance of beneficial gut bacteria that can be disrupted by factors like antibiotics and toxins. This supplement provides a combination of prebiotics and probiotics.
Key ingredients include a multi-strain probiotic blend (30 Billion CFU), papain (5 mg) which is derived from papaya, betaine HCL (10 mg), bromelain (15 mg), porcine pancreatin (50 mg), and Larch Arabinogalactan (800 mg) which is a prebiotic.
It's recommended to use it in rotation with Gut Soothe and Love Bugs for a comprehensive approach to gut health. Divide your animal’s recommended daily dose and add evenly into each meal. The product is freeze-dried, so while refrigeration is not necessary, they believe it will help to maintain optimal freshness.
The Data Dump
Adored Beast Apothecary is ideal for pet owners looking for well-sourced, natural products made from high-quality ingredients. Julie Anne, the founder of Adored Beast, is a pioneer in holistic pet care, and her extensive experience is at the heart of Adored Beast Apothecary. Her background as a practitioner, teacher, and consultant combines traditional nature-based animal healthcare practices with modern scientific advancements. Adored Beast products are designed to tackle root problems, promote healing, and help prevent future issues, giving pet owners more control over their pets' health.
Adored Beast conducts random third-party testing, ensuring that all ingredients undergo quality testing before their arrival. If you are interested in the Certificates of Analysis for a given product, contact their team; they can provide the documentation.
All in all, I love this company and have used many of their products over the years.
Four Leaf Rover Protect Soil Based Probiotics + Prebiotics
Best for supporting gut health and protecting against toxins and heavy metals.
Why I Dig It
Gone are the days when your pup suffered from exposure to heavy metals and other environmental toxins. The Four Leaf Rover is a revolutionary new soil-based probiotic powder that can help keep your dog healthy and happy.
This natural blend provides 5 billion CFUs of Saccharomyces boulardii and 2 billion CFUs of Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtillis as well as a blend of excellent gut, immune system, and detoxification support from common pollutants, such as pesticides, herbicides, and tap water.
This product is 100% natural and non-GMO. It's sustainably sourced and packaged in containers made from 100% post-consumer recycled material – all proudly made in the USA.
Plus, the powder form makes it easy to mix into your pet's food daily for optimal gut health. Side note - my dogs do not drink tap water; if you haven't already, consider investing in a water filtration system for you and your family :)
The Data Dump
Four Leaf Rover works with a team of holistic veterinarians dedicated to delivering only the best nutrition for your furry friends. Four Leaf Rover's unique soil-based probiotic supports robust gut health. This product is spore-forming, meaning it can survive stomach acids and higher temperatures than many competitors.
They test every batch of products for heavy metals, pesticides, and other dangerous toxins so you can have complete peace of mind. Additionally, all ingredients are clinically researched to ensure optimal intestinal health for your fur babies.
Plus, with third-party testing and Certificates of Analysis, you can rest assured that their product is free from harmful toxins. With Four Leaf Rover, you are guaranteed a high-quality probiotic thanks to rigorous quality control standards. I contacted the company, and they were happy to provide me with the Certificate of Analysis for the probiotic. Transparency, how refreshing!
So if you want to give your pup all of the natural power found in your backyard, choose the Four Leaf Rover soil-based probiotic – it will ensure they have a strong, healthy foundation!
ION Gut Support For Pets
Best for improving immune function and eliminating environmental toxins.
Why I Dig It
Not your average probiotic, but why not think outside the box? ION is an all-natural, soil-derived liquid gut support supplement for pets. ION includes 5 mg of Humic extract from ancient soil and 35 mcg of silicon, and purified water. This supplement helps your dog defend against the endless environmental toxins they're exposed to daily and diversifies the microbiome. Also, it supports immune and kidney function.
ION includes silicon as one of its active ingredients because it helps support the production of collagen and helps build stronger connective tissues in bone and cartilage.
All of the products sold by ION are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration. Also, it is gluten-free, BPA-free, vegan, and is made of recycled packaging. The ultimate bonus of this supplement is that it is glyphosate free! Glyphosate is the active ingredient in most weed killers, including Roundup. In 2015, the World Health Organization classified glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen" and implicated in many human health disorders.
This gut support supplement does it all! I use ION Gut Support for my three dogs and the ION Gut Support for humans (include link here for humans); I am very satisfied with the product.
The Data Dump
ION Intelligence of Nature – a cutting-edge brand founded by the renowned Dr. Zach Bush. Passionate about reconnecting humans with nature, ION is committed to regenerative agricultural practices and educating people on the harmful effects of chemical farming.
ION provides a full range of natural products that harness the power of nature's intelligence to help you balance your mind, body, and spirit. Their products undergo rigorous third-party testing and is non-toxic to kidney cells even when given at high concentrations. This ensures your animal receives only the best nutritional products – without worrying about toxins or contaminants.
In addition, ION is committed to strict guidelines set out by the Food and Drug Administration's Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and is a certified member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC).
Also, the science behind ION is based on peer-reviewed studies, and they have conducted two double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials that demonstrate ION's ability to improve immune function and lysine production, which is essential for hormone and immune production. (Include the article links).
I contacted ION, and they quickly responded and provided the Certificate of Analysis for the probiotic. ION clearly, takes pride in transparency! ION is another one of my go-to probiotics for my dogs.
Also, to learn more about Dr. Bush, I suggest listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Heal Thy Self. You want to make sure to hear this inspiring conversation about how embracing our connection with nature helps us unlock true human potential.
Bark & Whiskers Complete Probiotics
Best for maintaining gut flora and supporting the immune system.
Why I Dig It
Dr. Mercola - Complete Probiotics is a great probiotic powder that provides healthy bacteria your pet needs to maintain your dog's gut health.
Each dose contains 38 billion CFUs of fourteen specially selected bacteria strains, like lactobacillus acidophilus and lactobacillus plantarum, that are known to promote the production of digestive enzymes and immune health.
And the best part is these carefully chosen probiotic strains can successfully survive stomach acid, which means they make it safely into your pet's small intestines, where they can do their work more effectively. This product is free of GMO's, gluten, or soy.
The Data Dump
Dr. Mercola's Complete Probiotics are specially formulated and researched by renowned integrative wellness veterinarian Dr. Becker, who has over 25 years of experience in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Mercola's manufacturing facilities are certified through the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices. This also ensures that every product satisfies safety requirements and does not contain toxic substances like animal byproducts, soy, wheat or gluten, artificial flavors, or magnesium stearate.
I contacted the company, and they do not provide the Certificates of Analysis to the public. However, this brand understands the importance of providing your pets with premium quality products. Each batch goes through extensive third-party testing.
This is a great option to promote the production of digestive and immune health.
Benefits of Probiotic Supplementation for Dogs
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in the digestive tract. These healthy bacteria balance the internal environment to fight off pathogens, promote gut health, and strengthen the immune system; approximately 70-80% of the immune system is located within the intestinal tract wall!
Probiotics can even reduce anxiety and stress in dogs as root causes of anxiety can be traced back to specific gut bacteria.
Probiotics can also reduce allergies and promote more regular bowel movements. These helpful bacteria can come in the form of chewable tablets, powder, or capsules, allowing you to give your pet the ease and convenience they need to experience all the amazing benefits that probiotics have to offer.
Supporting your pet's GI tract health is ESSENTIAL for your dog to live the longest and healthiest life possible.
Dog Probiotic FAQs
Probiotics for dogs are becoming increasingly popular as a natural way to promote digestive health and optimal gut functioning.
Common questions include how probiotics can be given, how often, and possible side effects. To answer these questions, I've done extensive research and found the best answers available for pet parents to consider.
As always, checking in with your veterinarian for specific advice about probiotics for your pet is wise.
-
Yes, just like human probiotics, it is okay to give your dogs probiotics every day. Probiotics are good bacteria that help maintain the balance of good and bad bacteria in your dog's gut. They can help improve digestion, bolster the immune system, and even help control allergies.
It is recommended that you rotate through many different brands and types of probiotics (i.e., soil-based vs bacterial strains). This will allow your dog to have diverse gut microbes. -
Your dog may need a probiotic if he is experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Itching or scratching their bottom too much
- Lack of energy or enthusiasm for life
- Poor appetite or weight loss
-Anxiety
If your dog is showing any of these signs, it's worth trying a probiotic to see if it helps. Probiotics are especially beneficial for dogs on antibiotics, as they help restore the healthy balance of bacteria in the gut and aid in healthy digestion.
However, regardless of these symptoms, it is wise to start your dog on probiotics as soon as possible so they can live the longest and healthiest life possible. -
An increasing number of traditional veterinarians are now recognizing the value of probiotics. Research is expanding regarding their potential, and their potential benefits are no longer restricted to gut and digestive health.
Some vets recommend probiotics for all dogs, while others only recommend them for dogs with certain health conditions.BUT - it is important to remember that the more diverse your dog's gut flora, the healthier your dog will become.
If you want to learn more about this I recommend reading the book, The Forever Dog. It is incredible! -
Some potential side effects of probiotics in dogs include gas, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, start low and slow when giving your dog a new supplement. Always check with your veterinarian if your dog is experiencing these symptoms.
TIP - A great alternative to help alleviate diarrhea is canned 100% pumpkin (note - do not use pumpkin pie mix). Approximately 1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds is an excellent place to start. I always keep a can of pumpkin on hand, just in case. -
Plain raw kefir or plain fermented veggies (no onions, no garlic, and no added spices - they are toxic) are excellent sources of probiotics for dogs. You can either give them to your dog as a snack or mix them with your dog's food.
Additional microbiome-building foods include asparagus, dandelion, green bananas, blueberries, and one of my favorites, canned pumpkin! You can simply add these as “toppers” to your dogs food. -
It is not necessary to refrigerate probiotics, but storing them in a cool, dry place is best.
If a probiotic can't survive on the shelf at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, then how would it survive at 101-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit in your dog's body? Thus, I avoid probiotics that have to be refrigerated. Probiotics should be resilient and shelf-stable and remain fully potent at room temperature. -
Yes, you can sprinkle probiotics on your dog's food. Probiotics are bacteria that have health benefits when consumed.
-
Probiotics work gradually over time, so you may not see an effect for a few weeks or even a month or two. That being said, some dogs experience a noticeable difference right away, while others don't notice any changes until they've taken probiotics for a while.
The probiotic brand and the dosage both play a role in how soon you'll start to see the benefits. As always, do your research. -
It's always a good idea to start dogs on probiotics, especially if they've been on antibiotics recently. Probiotics help to restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut, which can be disrupted by antibiotics.
Generally, you should start giving your dog a small amount with food and gradually increasing the dose over time. As with any new supplement, monitoring your dog for adverse reactions is essential. If you notice any problems, stop using probiotics and consult your veterinarian. -
Yes, probiotics can help dog's behavior. The probiotics help to restore the proper balance of gut bacteria, which in turn helps to regulate mood and behavior.
Dogs with healthy gut bacteria are less likely to experience anxiety, stress, or aggression. Probiotics can also help to reduce symptoms of separation anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The Recap
Probiotics are widely known to be beneficial for humans and can help promote healthy gut flora in your four-legged companion. Probiotics can support the immune and digestive systems, combat inflammation, and support aging.
To give you a head start in finding the best probiotic supplement for your dog, I've compiled a list of top-notch products containing quality ingredients backed by science. Thanks for reading!
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.