First published: Odie Pet Insurance
Image credit: Odie Pet Insurance
Does your pet suffer from digestive issues? This Odie feature by Claudia Bensimoun on barkuptoday.com explores probiotics for pets, revealing how beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium support gut health, boost immunity, and improve skin conditions in dogs and cats.
From diarrhea relief to stress reduction, probiotics offer holistic wellness—backed by studies showing 70% improvement in digestive disorders. The article covers safe dosing (1–10 billion CFUs), vet-approved sources, and food vs. supplement options. Below are key highlights from the feature, including practical tips for pet parents. Read the full article on Odie.com here.
Probiotics Benefits for Pets
Probiotics are good bacteria. Dogs and all animals have billions of good bacteria in their stomach to help fight infections, strengthen the immune system, and aid digestion. Studies show that gut microbiomes also play an essential role in the nervous system, skin health, obesity, metabolic disorders, and behavior. (depression, anxiety)
Minimizing your dog’s digestive issues while boosting immune health involves more than a high-quality dog food formula. Adding probiotics is beneficial to guard against intestinal distress and bloat and inhibit the growth and activity of harmful bacteria via live microbes. A dog’s immunity also resides in its gut, meaning that looking after your furry best friend’s gut health may ensure optimal health, vitality, and focus!
An all-in-one approach with probiotic supplementation optimizes digestive health in pets and allows for increased absorption of nutrients to ensure optimal health. Daily probiotic supplements will keep your dog’s digestive system healthy and are believed to treat various illnesses, says the World Health Organization (WHO). They define probiotics as “live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host,” via the WHO.
Because commercial pet food does not specifically meet all our pets’ nutritional needs, it’s key to include nutritional supplementation like probiotics to help with digestive issues. Giving your dog an individual probiotic supplement will ensure the correct dosage and efficacy, more than supplements added into commercial dog food formulas.
Studies on the Benefits of Probiotics for Pets
Most scientists agree that probiotics are beneficial to pets and humans. A 2017 gut microbiome study adds that “the ratio of proteins and carbohydrates in a canine’s daily diet has a significant influence on the balance of microbes in its gut. Researchers observed that dogs fed a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet had enriched microbial gene networks associated with human weight loss,” via Science Daily.
Common Pet Digestive Issues
Nestle Purina PetCare Company researchers explained that dogs fed a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet had decreased the ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes bacteria and enriched microbial gene networks associated with weight loss in humans. The microbial responses were more pronounced in obese and overweight dogs than in dogs of a healthy weight.
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) annual survey suggests that more than half of pet dogs in the U.S. are obese or overweight. Purina researchers explain that dogs that ate a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet had higher abundances of Bacteroides uniformis and Clostridium butyricum.
The impact of diet on the microbiome was more pronounced in obese and overweight dogs than in lean dogs. The study concludes “that obese dogs and overweight dogs are more susceptible to dietary intervention. A different diet for those animals may have a greater impact on the bacterial balance in their guts. The researchers hope to see the research eventually translate into real-world ways to modify pet food, perhaps through the strategic use of probiotics or prebiotics, and reduce the obesity epidemic.”
Another 2018 study says that probiotic Bacillus destroys Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that can result in a severe antibiotic-resistant infection. The study adds, “Probiotics frequently are recommended as dietary supplements to improve digestive health,” says NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “This is one of the first studies to describe precisely how they may work to provide health benefits. The possibility that oral Bacillus might be an effective alternative to antibiotic treatment for some conditions is scientifically intriguing and worthy of further exploration.”
Research shows that increasing evidence supports the use of probiotics in pets. Healthy bacteria coming from probiotics in the form of a natural supplement allow for the following:
- Positive impact on liver disease
- Reduces allergy symptoms
- Reduces yeast-associated issues
- Reduces gassiness
- Beneficial for chronic G.I. abnormalities
- Improves bad breath
- Better bowel function regulation to prevent diarrhea and constipation
- Healthy coat and skin condition
- Better health
- Better mood
Image credit: Odie Pet Insurance
Types of Probiotics for Dogs
Numerous probiotics are available for pets and humans. Some are specifically for cats or dogs, while others are for a range of animals. Probiotics can be found in capsules, powders, solutions, and pastes.
Most probiotics contain one or more specific types of bacteria or yeast to tackle a few health issues. Different strains, like Lactobacillus, are beneficial in increasing the absorption of nutrients and helping with digestive problems in dogs.
Choosing the Right Pet Probiotic
Choosing a probiotic for your pet may seem daunting. There is no one specific probiotic supplement that is best for every dog’s condition. Looking out for certain probiotic strains that have proved beneficial through scientific research allows for optimal efficacy in every dog. Here’s a look at the seven best strains:
- Enterococcus faecium
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium animalis
- VSL#3
Changes in the Microbiome
The microbiome features a community of microorganisms, including fungi, viruses, bacteria, and other microbes. Our microbiomes and those of our pets can get out of balance. This can happen quickly thanks to low-quality, overly processed dog food, antibiotics, and stress. Because gut health can affect your pet’s well-being, you should consider ways to improve and maintain gut health.
Changes in a dog’s microbiome can make them sick in many ways. This can include:
- Diarrhea
- Allergies
- Obesity
- Gas
- Cramping
- Bloating
- General poor health
- Upset stomach
- Bad breath
Changes in your pet’s microbiome can be caused by numerous things, such as the following:
- Antibiotics
- New pet food formulas
- Kittens during weaning
- Stress from a home move or a new pet
- Infections
- Parasites
- High-carbohydrate diet
- Consuming foods that are off
If your fur baby seems to get sick often, it could be caused by changes in its microbiome. It’s always a good idea to consult with your vet.
What is a Colony Forming Unit (CFU)?
You’ll see different CFU counts when choosing probiotics for your furry best friend. CFU counts quantify the active live bacterial cultures in a probiotic that can divide to form these colonies.
A higher CFU count does not necessarily mean a better probiotic. Lower CFU counts also support digestive and immune system health in dogs. (3-10 billion CFU)
However, a higher CFU count is effective for targeting serious health conditions like IBF, food allergies, and post-antibiotic treatment. Past research has shown that higher CFU counts are not dangerous to pets.
Probiotics that include a prebiotic like Inulin can benefit the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria. Gut bacteria convert Inulin and other prebiotics into short-chain fatty acids, which help nourish colon cells. This improves bowel function and promotes good health.
Additionally, you should consider that these strains are delicate, and exposure to air, moisture, and extreme temperatures will destroy their viability. That said, probiotics should not be left in hot cars for a few hours or exposed to rain. Each probiotic will have different effects on the body.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
This is one of the most common types of probiotics found in fermented foods like yogurts. It’s a bacterium found in the intestines and is beneficial in treating diarrhea. It has been used in alternative medicine as an effective aid against the effects of antibiotics, chemotherapy, and even hospitalization. Certain strains of Lactobacillus will also be beneficial in improving the frequency and quality of stools in dogs with sensitive digestive systems.
Bifidobacterium Bifidum
Safe Probiotic Dosing Tips
Research demonstrated the effects of supplementation in dogs with Bifidobacterium Bifidum in dogs with idiopathic diarrhea. The study concluded that “Nutritional management with the probiotic fed at 2 x 10(10) CFU/day significantly reduced the time to resolution (3.9 +/- 2.3 versus 6.6 +/- 2.7 days; P < .01) and reduced the percentage of dogs that were administered metronidazole (38.5% versus 50.0%) compared with placebo. Probiotic B. animalis AHC7 may provide veterinarians another tool for management of acute diarrhea in dogs,” via PubMed. Bifidobacterium Bifidum can be found in your dog’s intestines.
Lactobacillus Plantarum
This bacterium is most often found in fermented food and anaerobic plant matter. It can also be found in saliva. Interestingly enough, this bacterium produces its antibiotics, including lactolin, which combats harmful bacteria. It also manufactures lysine, an essential amino acid. This bacterium does plenty of good things, like boosting immune system health, lowering intestinal permeability, reducing symptoms of IBS, decreasing flatulence, and improving gastrointestinal function for a few months after probiotic use has ceased.
Probiotics for pets are also effective when given a few days before antibiotics. Probiotics with Bifidobacterium Bifidum lessen the need for antibiotics by 10%. Giving your dog probiotics regularly will help keep his GI system healthy by promoting healthy digestion and optimal immune system health.
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