I am constantly shouting about how probiotics should be in everyone's cupboard. They have a multitude of benefits and uses. Probiotics are great to help with seasonal illness, after antibiotics, anxiety, as well as general health in dogs.
This is one of the few things I add to my dog's diet daily. Especially my youngest Taz, if she does not have probiotics, we all know about it: She can clear the room with her gas. Whilst not every dog needs this daily, the benefits of adding it a few times a week are too strong to ignore. In this blog, I will talk you through why they are amazing additions to all dogs' diets, no matter what you feed.
Understanding the Role of Probiotics in Dogs
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in appropriate amounts, offer health benefits to the host. While much of the initial research has focused on humans, studies are increasingly exploring how probiotics can enhance your dog's health. This blog dives into what probiotics are, their potential benefits for dogs, and how they can be a valuable addition to your pet's diet.
Why Gut Health Matters for Dogs
The gut is a cornerstone of canine health. Housing a vast microbiome, the digestive tract influences not only digestion but also immune responses, inflammation regulation, and even behavior. Since 70% of a dog’s immune system resides in the gut, keeping this system balanced is critical for their overall health.
Unfortunately, daily life can disrupt the gut’s balance. Environmental stress, dietary changes, medications, and illness can all impact the microbiome, potentially leading to issues like digestive upset, weakened immunity, and even behavioral changes.
Potential Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs
Digestive Health
Probiotics are perhaps best known for their ability to support digestive health. Dogs suffering from conditions like diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have shown improvements with probiotic supplementation.
Diarrhea:
Probiotics can help restore balance to the gut microbiome, reducing the duration and severity of diarrhea caused by infections, dietary changes, or stress.
IBS and IBD:
Chronic conditions like IBS and IBD often involve inflammation in the digestive tract. Probiotics help by producing compounds like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that nourish gut cells and reduce inflammation, improving symptoms.
Healthier Stools:
Regular probiotic use can lead to more consistent stool quality, reducing issues like constipation or excessively loose stools.
Immune Support
With 70% of a dog’s immune system residing in the gut, a healthy microbiome is key to a robust immune response. Probiotics can:
Enhance the production of antibodies like Immunoglobulin A (IgA), which helps the body fight infections.
Support quicker recovery from illnesses by maintaining gut health, even during treatments like antibiotics.
Reduce the frequency of infections by creating a hostile environment for harmful pathogens such as E. coli and giardia, out-competing them for resources and space.
Skin and Coat Health
Skin disorders and poor coat quality are often linked to underlying gut health issues. Probiotics contribute to a healthier exterior by:
Enhancing Nutrient Absorption: Probiotics support the breakdown of food and the absorption of critical nutrients like vitamins and fatty acids, which are essential for a shiny, healthy coat.
Reducing Inflammation: Many skin conditions are rooted in inflammation or allergies. Probiotics can modulate immune responses, helping to alleviate symptoms like itching, redness, and flakiness.
Addressing Allergies: By balancing the gut microbiome, probiotics may reduce the severity of allergic reactions, leading to fewer skin flare-ups.
Behavioral Benefits
The link between gut health and behavior, known as the gut-brain axis, is an emerging area of research. The gut microbiome produces neurotransmitters like serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which influence mood and stress responses.
Stress Reduction: Studies have shown that probiotics can lower stress levels in animals, potentially reducing symptoms of anxiety or fearfulness in dogs.
Improved Mood: By supporting a balanced gut, probiotics may help dogs feel calmer and more content, especially in high-stress situations like travel or loud environments.
Better Focus and Energy: A healthy gut ensures optimal nutrient absorption, which can translate into better energy levels and focus during training or playtime.
Allergies
Probiotics can help manage allergies in dogs by supporting a balanced immune response and improving gut health.
Probiotics support balanced immune responses, reducing overactive reactions that cause allergies.
They improve gut health, strengthening the barrier to prevent allergens from entering the bloodstream.
Certain strains, like Lactobacillus acidophilus, reduce inflammation associated with allergies.
Probiotics alleviate symptoms such as itching, redness, and gastrointestinal upset.
Enhanced nutrient absorption promotes healthier skin and overall immune function, minimizing allergic reactions.
Other Conditions
Probiotics have also been associated with improvements in a variety of other conditions.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Probiotics help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the urinary tract, making it harder for harmful bacteria to take hold.
Bad Breath: Poor gut health can contribute to halitosis. Probiotics help by addressing imbalances in the digestive system that may cause foul odors.
Obesity: A balanced gut microbiome can regulate metabolism and energy usage, potentially supporting weight management.
Liver Support: Probiotics assist the liver by reducing the burden of processing toxins, as a healthy gut microbiome can help neutralize harmful substances before they reach the bloodstream.
Probiotics are a vast subject and this blog gives you an overview of how they can help support your dogs.
When it comes to specific conditions or if you need help deciding if problems are the right choice for your dog, please get in touch and we can point you in the right direction. I will be covering Skin and coat issues in a series of blogs over the next few months so what this space. Sign up to our email to keep up to date with our latest blogs.
What are the best probiotics for dogs?
Choosing the right probiotic for your dog is essential to ensure they receive maximum benefits. Not all probiotics are created equal, and the effectiveness of a probiotic depends on its strain, dosage, and delivery method.
Choosing the right probiotic for your dog is essential to ensure they receive maximum benefits. Not all probiotics are created equal, and the effectiveness of a probiotic depends on its strain, dosage, and delivery method.
Key Probiotic Strains for Dogs
Certain probiotic strains have been extensively studied for their benefits in canine health. Here are some of the top strains to look for:
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Helps maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria.
Supports digestion by breaking down food and aiding nutrient absorption.
Reduces symptoms of diarrhea and intestinal inflammation.
Bifidobacterium animalis
Known for its ability to improve stool quality and consistency.
Helps combat diarrhea, especially during stress or after antibiotic use.
Enhances the overall gut microbiome.
Enterococcus faecium
A resilient strain that survives harsh stomach acids.
Supports gut health during times of stress, dietary changes, or illness.
Assists in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Bacillus coagulans
Known for its ability to promote a healthy immune system.
Reduces inflammation and supports gut health.
Particularly effective in controlling the overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
Saccharomyces boulardii
A probiotic yeast that helps manage diarrhea caused by antibiotics or infections.
Effective in restoring gut balance and preventing pathogen overgrowth.
What to Look For in a Probiotic Supplement
When selecting a probiotic for your dog, consider the following factors:
Species-Specific Formulas
Choose probiotics specifically designed for dogs, as their gut microbiome differs from humans and other animals.
Guaranteed CFUs (Colony-Forming Units)
Look for a product that guarantees live microorganisms at the time of consumption, typically measured in billions of CFUs. Most dogs benefit from 1-10 billion CFUs daily, depending on their size and needs.
Multiple Strains
A variety of probiotic strains can address different aspects of gut health, offering broader benefits.
Prebiotics Included
Prebiotics are dietary fibers that nourish probiotics, helping them thrive. A combination of prebiotics and probiotics (synbiotics) is ideal for optimal gut health.
Delivery Method
Probiotics come in various forms, including powders, capsules, chews, and liquids. Choose a format that suits your dog’s preferences and makes administration easy.
Stability and Shelf Life
Select a product with a stable formula that ensures probiotics remain effective until expiration. Look for storage instructions to maintain potency, as some may require refrigeration.
With all this in mind, it is a minefield. There are so many to choose from that have a vast range in price and it is a question of which is the right answer and what should you use.
What do I recommend and why?
My personal choice is the Aniforte Natural Moor Mud, While this doesn't state which strains of probiotics are in it, it is a soil-based probiotic that contains several benefits.
Improves DigestionContains organic acids, enzymes, and trace elements that support the production of digestive enzymes, improve nutrient absorption, and alleviate issues like bloating and indigestion.
Natural DetoxificationHelps remove toxins accumulated from food, water, and the environment, supporting liver and gut health while maintaining internal balance.
Boosts Nutrient AbsorptionEnhances the gut's ability to absorb essential nutrients, leading to better energy, stronger immunity, and overall improved vitality.
Reduces InflammationProvides anti-inflammatory benefits that can soothe gastrointestinal irritation and may help manage conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Supports a Healthy Gut MicrobiomeActs as a natural prebiotic, nourishing beneficial gut bacteria essential for digestion, immune function, and overall health.
This for me, it ticks every box when it comes to probiotics, it is a mud product so I find it really early to mix it into the dog's food and even my fuzzy collie will take it happily. I have trailed this for several months with a number of dogs and seen great results for a range of issues.
Thanks for reading
Vicky
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