15 Best Probiotics For Dogs 2023: Chews, Powder, Liquid & More [Reviews & Picks]
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This is the definitive guide to finding the best probiotics for dogs.
Probiotics have long been recognized for their role in maintaining human health, but did you know that they are equally important for our canine companions? Whether your dog is dealing with GI issues, diarrhea, or just finished a round of antibiotics, pup probiotic supplements can help. Our comprehensive guide on the best probiotics supplement for dogs covers everything you need to know about dog probiotics, including science-backed evidence on the benefits and our top probiotics dog brand recommendations. Let’s get started!
Best Probiotics For Dogs — A At Glance
Scroll to the right to see all our recommendations for the best dog probiotics.
You can click this link to go to the reviews, but we encourage you to keep reading to make a more educated decision about picking the best dog probiotic for your dog.
Why You Should Trust Us
What Are Probiotics For Dogs?
Probiotics are supplements containing live, beneficial bacteria (probiotic strains) that boost health when consumed in adequate amounts. These bacteria naturally inhabit your dog’s digestive tract and other regions. There are many different types of probiotic strains.
Two of the most common probiotic bacteria strains are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. The best probiotics for dogs usually contain a combination of multiple strains.
Probiotic supplements for dogs are commercially produced probiotic formulas that can be found in the form of powders, chews, capsules, pastes, liquids, or food.
The Role of Probiotics In Dogs
Like the human body, your dog’s body is full of good and bad bacteria. Bad bacteria are typically germs or pathogenic bacteria that cause diseases and infections, make us feel sick, or even die. Sometimes this bacterial ecosystem in your dog can get knocked out of balance, and bad bacteria can begin outcompeting the good bacteria. This can reduce your dog’s ability to digest her food, resulting in digestive problems or other health issues.
Probiotics are used to maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria, prevent gastrointestinal (GI) issues, and strengthen the immune system following disruptions caused by illness, infection, antibiotic therapy, or other stress factors.
Canine probiotics are designed to nourish and promote the growth of good bacteria in your dog.
How Can Probiotics Help My Dog?
Here is an overview of the key health benefits linked to probiotics.
What Does Research Say About Dog Probiotics?
Research on dog probiotics has been growing in recent years, and evidence suggests that these beneficial bacteria can positively impact a dog’s overall health and well-being.
One of the most notable studies analyzed the effects of 773 shelter dogs in the United Kingdom and found that it significantly decreased diarrhea in dogs.[1] Studies have also shown that feeding probiotics to puppies suffering from Salmonella had less gut damage and produced more short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs are important because they inhibit the growth and activity of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella.[2]
Research has also found the dogs fed the probiotic had many more Immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies in their gut compared to the control group.[3] And even more surprisingly, a study compared probiotic treatment with conventional IBD dog medication in dogs with this condition and revealed that both groups improved significantly and achieved an almost equal reduction of symptoms.[4] This is a testament to the effectiveness of probiotics and how they can help avoid certain medications due to their efficacy in treating certain conditions.
These are just a few studies showing that probiotics can boost your dog’s health and immune system. There are also hundreds of anecdotal evidence of happy dogs who found relief thanks to probiotics. However, it’s important to note that there’s still a lot about dog probiotic therapy that we don’t know. We should be mindful and work with your veterinarian if we decide to introduce probiotics to your dog’s diet.
To learn more about this subject, read out Probiotics For Dogs Explained Guide for the latest research and critical information you need to know about probiotics.
How To Pick The Best Probiotics For Your Dog
Here are six things to consider to pick the best dog probiotic.
Why Do Vets Recommend Probiotics? (Video)
As with any new food, feeding probiotics to your dog may cause diarrhea or stomach upset, which is a common reaction to any significant dietary change in humans and pets. To avoid this, start with a smaller dose than the recommended amount and gradually increase it over time, allowing your pet’s digestive system to adjust to the new nutritional intake.
Selecting the best dog probiotic depends on the strains your dog’s body needs, probiotic quantity, health condition, and other factors.
Always consult your vet before giving your pup any medications or supplements.
Best Probiotics For Dogs Reviews
What is the best probiotic for dogs? We’ve rounded up the best probiotic dog brands your dog will love.
Our team of experts rated the best probiotic dog biscuits based on ingredients, customer reviews, product tests, price, and other factors.
Best Overall Dog Probiotic — NomNom
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Nom Nom is a well-known, reputable dog food delivery service in the United States. They win the best overall dog probiotic medal because their product is formulated by veterinary nutrition and microbiology experts using top-quality ingredients at FDA-registered facilities under GMP guidelines. Each batch is independently tested for product integrity. It’s appropriate for all breeds, including puppies (older than eight weeks) and adults. To serve, mix one scoop serving into your dog’s food once daily. After use, reseal and protect from light, high temperatures, and moisture. Nom Nom recommends refrigeration for optimal preservation. They are expertly formulated by their veterinary nutrition and microbiology team.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
It’s boosted with prebiotic fiber for added beneficial bacteria development.
Probiotics Strains
Lactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
What We Like & Don’t Like
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Best Dog Chew Probiotic — Ollie Probiotic Chews
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Ollie Dog Probiotic Chews are scientifically formulated using five strains of probiotics to help improve digestion and promote gut health in dogs. Veterinarians recommend them for having a balanced and pleasant formula for your furry friend. We love that they boost their probiotic formula with all-natural digestive system soothing ingredients in these chews including pumpkin seed and papaya leaf powder.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
It is made using a cold extrusion process to preserve the potency of every active ingredient.
Probiotics Strains
Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus, Acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactococcus, Lactis, Lactobacillus reuteri
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Our readers have access to 60% off your first box and probiotic order. Just use this link to get this offer.
Best Organic Probiotic For Dogs — Open Farm
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Open Farm is a pet food company that offers a range of dog products, including probiotics. They go to great lengths to source clean and organic ingredients to formulate their probiotics. These probiotics are vet approved and developed as a part of their commitment to ethical and transparent sourcing practices. You can trace the origin of every ingredient in Open Farm probiotics on their website. Each Probiotic soft chew was made to help support normal gut flora and bowel movement to promote healthy digestion and gut health.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
Open Farm is of the most sustainable dog food brands. They’ve partnered with How2Recycle to ensure that their probiotics jars are 100% recyclable and aren’t in a landfill.
Probiotics Strains Included
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bacillus coagulans.
What We Like & Don’t Like
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Best Probiotic For Puppies — Honest Kitchen Instant Goat’s Milk
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Taking care of your dog’s gut health from an early age is essential. A puppy probiotic can help keep your puppy’s tummy happy and healthy. Whether you are looking for a probiotic for puppy diarrhea or want to support their digestion, immune systems, and well-being, The Honest Kitchen Instant Probiotic Goat’s Milk for dogs is a great choice. This probiotic powder supplement for puppies can be served as a nourishing drink (add water) or pour powder on dry or dehydrated kibble. It’s ideal for rehabilitation, digestive issues, and general immune support at the gut level for growing puppies. Pour over kibble, hydrate Honest Kitchen food, or serve alone as a human-grade nightcap.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
It is made from highly digestible dehydrated goat’s milk from pasture-raised, free-ranging goats in the Pacific Northwest and digestive enzymes. Goat’s milk is especially great for puppies and kittens. It helps support their digestion, immune systems, and well-being.
Probiotics Strains
Lactobacillus case, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium longum, and E. thermopilus.
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Cheapest Probiotic For Dogs — Nusentia Dog Miracle
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Looking for the cheapest dog probiotic that doesn’t sacrifice quality, Nusentia Dog Miracle Probiotic is our top choice cheapest probiotic for dogs. It offers excellent value for large dogs, individuals with multiple pets, or providing various servings per day. Nusentia offers the best quantity for your buck, with over 360 scoops per jar. Perfect for combatting dog diarrhea, loose stool, yeast overgrowth, gas, bad breath, constipation, skin issues (itching & scratching), allergies, digestive issues, boost immune health, and gut-related problems in pets.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
With over 360 billion CFUs of probiotics per jar (or 1 billion per scoop), this brand is confident in the effectiveness of its formula that they offer a 60-day 100% money-back guarantee. Includs Inulin, a prebiotic.
Probiotics Strains Included
Bifidobacterium animalis lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Stearic acid.
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Best For Gut & Digestion — Pawfy Probiotics For Dogs Review
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Are you looking to maintain a healthy digestive system in your dog? Pawfy probiotics are a great addition to aid with better gut health. Pawfy dog probiotics can improve a dog’s gut health and digestive functioning thanks to its research-based formula. And because it’s jam-packed with natural ingredients (i.e., organic turmeric) and a perfect balance of vitamins A, D3, E, C, B1, B6, B2, and B12 for overall health, it helps boost the immune system and function and increases energy and overall physical well-being. These daily multivitamins and probiotic chews promote overall well-being and health. It comes in a tasty chicken probiotic flavor that can freshen breath and maintain healthy bacteria.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
Additionally, it delivers pantothenic acid, manganese, folic acid, and biotin to support healthy anatomy and overall well-being.
Probiotics Strains Included
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis.
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Best Vet-Recommended Dog Probiotics — Finn
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Finn Digestive Dog Probiotics win the best vet pick spot because they work hand-in-hand with top-notch veterinarians and canine nutritionists to create the best possible probiotic with the best possible ingredients. The Pumpkin, Inulin and FOS found in Finn help ‘good’ bacteria flourish and stay nourished.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
Added prebiotics provide food and fuel to probiotics helping keep them healthy and active. The end result is better digestion, enhanced nutrient absorption, improved immune function, and a healthier, happier pup.
Probiotics Strains Included
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillusreuteri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus bifidum and Lactobacillus casei.
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Best Probiotics For Small Dogs — Pawlife
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Are probiotics good for small dogs? Yes, probiotics work on any dog size just as well. If you have a small dog breed suffering from an upset stomach, diarrhea, gas or looking for the best probiotics for small dogs, Pawlife Soft Chews Probiotics for Dogs 3-in-1 formula is an excellent choice for small dogs. The 2 billion CFUs per chew is perfect for a small dog’s digestive system. Pro Pup promotes a balanced GI tract to support gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, gut PH levels, and overall stomach discomfort. How much probiotics can I give a small dog? One soft chew per 25 lbs of body weight should work great for your pup. You can break the treat in half if your dog weighs less than 25 lbs.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
The soft texture of these mouth-watering, chicken-flavored soft chews is easy on small dogs’ teeth. Each soft chew is smaller than a nickel, perfect for a small dog’s mouth.
Probiotics Strains Included
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis.
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Best Probiotics Capsules For Dogs — Nutramax
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Can you give your dog a probiotic capsule? Yes! If you are looking for the best dog probiotic pills, Nutramax Proviable-DC Health Supplement for Cats and Dogs is a multi-strain probiotic supplement that supports a healthy intestinal balance in dogs. Each Proviable-DC probiotic capsule can help maintain intestinal balance during times of dietary indiscretion, dietary change, food sensitivities, loose stool, stress induced by travel or kenneling, weaning of puppies and kittens, metabolic disturbances, immune system-related gastrointestinal conditions, and other related issues.
Whether your dog has a temporary case of an upset stomach from boarding stress, antibiotics, or just having a sensitive system, Proviable probiotic capsules for dogs help put things back in balance. You can use this capsule in conjunction with a dog probiotic paste for extra support and effectiveness.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
It’s boosted with two prebiotics that supports the probiotics’ growth within the intestinal tract to help them compete against the bad bacteria for colonizing the intestines. The box comes with 80 capsules, enough to last up to 3 months.
Probiotics Strains Included
Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus plantarum.
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Best Probiotics Paste For Dogs — PETAG Bene-Bac
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Bene-Bac Plus Probiotic Pet Gel is one of the most reputable probiotic supplements on the market. It’s made from 7 different bacterial strains that help crowd out bad bacteria, improve your dog’s appetite, and provide quick energy. Every Bene-Bac Pet Gel multidose syringe contains 15 grams of gel concentration of live-culture probiotic digestive bacteria. Each gram offers a guaranteed 20 million colony-forming units (CFU). Although this doesn’t seem like as many CFUs per serving, most customers have found the product very effective.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
Bene-Bac probiotics are fat encapsulated to ensure maximum probiotic survival through the stomach acids of the digestive tract to reach the intestines. It has an easy-to-use dial-a-dose syringe to give the indicated dose making it easy to feed under any situation.
Another probiotic paste alternative is FullBucket Dog Probiotic Paste. Its highly concentrated yeast-based formula supports natural gut defenses during periods of stress. It has 12.5 Billion CFU’s of Saccharmoyces cerevisae boulardii per serving. Prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and L-glutamine are also included in this formula. It’s the ideal probiotic paste for dogs on antibiotics.
Probiotics Strains Included
Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum.
What We Like & Don’t Like
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Best Probiotics Spray For Dogs — Florazil
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Are you looking for the ultimate canine probiotic convenience? Try Florazil+ Multi-Probiotic Food Spray for Dogs, our top pick for the best probiotic spray. It contains an assortment of probiotics that works to aid your dog’s digestive process. It comes in an easy-to-use bottle with 6 ounces of spray. The spray can be applied directly to your dog’s food, making administration a breeze. No refrigeration is necessary,, so store it in the place that is most convenient for you.
These probiotics are microorganisms beneficial to your dog’s digestive tract, meaning this spray is all-natural. These microorganisms work by enhancing the good bacteria that are already present in the dog’s digestive tract.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
Enhance palatability for any type of food
Probiotics Strains Included
Liquid Lactobacillus plantrum, liquid Enterococcus thermophilus, liquid Lactobacillus casei, liquid Bifidobacterium bifidum, liquid Bifidobacterium, Liquid Bacillus subtilis, liquid Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and liquid Bifidobacterium longum.
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Best Liquid Probiotic For Dogs. — MaryRuth’s
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Mary Ruth’s USDA Certified dog organic liquid probiotic wins our pick for this category. This company includes a proprietary blend (plant-derived & Non-GMO) of probiotic strains. This blend is mixed in an enzyme-enriched substrate with water and a proprietary combination of 3 organic types of grass. Liquid dog probiotics are easily absorbed, unlike solid probiotics, which are treated with heat and chemicals. Liquid probiotics are always in their raw state, ensuring shelf stability and maximum potency. This product is human-grade quality, and the strains were explicitly chosen to support dogs’ health. You can add it to your dog’s food or serve it directly into their mouth. Customers report success giving it to their dog now, but you should try whatever works best for you and your dog.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
No refrigeration is required, and you can store it in a cool, dry place.
Probiotics Strains Included
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium lactis, and B. breve.
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Best Probiotic Powder For Dogs — Honest Paws
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Honest Paws (a top CBD oil and CBD treats company) offers a blend of probiotics formulated by veterinarians, containing six strains of probiotic bacteria. It’s our top pick for the best dog probiotic powder. Honest Paws probiotics for dogs are a unique probiotic supplement that contains Solarplast, an extract of organic spinach, a rich source of antioxidants, and their enzyme partners. Solarplast provides many benefits for healthy aging and optimal biological processes through restoration and repair.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
It includes Inulin, a natural prebiotic derived from Chicory that stimulates good bacteria.
Probiotics Strains Included
Inulin (prebiotic), Bacillus subtilis (DE111), Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium animalis lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus plantarum.
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Grain-Free Probiotics For Dogs — Zesty Paws Probiotics For Dogs
Why We Picked & Recommended It
Zesty Paws Probiotic for Dogs Gut Health is among the best canine probiotics. If your dog has a weak immune system, hot spots, allergies, and even bad breath due to poor digestion, this supplement can help Fido kiss goodbye to tummy trouble and other related issues. This brand boosts its formula with Papaya for digestive enzyme support, plus Pumpkin as a fiber and prebiotic source to help motility and bowel movement for your canine. Along with all its digestive benefits, these tasty soft chews promote a healthy immune response to keep your dog healthy. Oh, and they are grain-free. This is great because it makes them easy to digest for faster wellness for any puppy, adult, or senior doggie.
What Sets It Apart From Competitors
Zesty’s formula features Ganeden BC30, a premium Bacillus Coagulans probiotic strain that withstands stomach acid as it reaches the intestines to aid digestion, flora, and gut bacteria. GanedenBC30 aids in absorbing essential nutrients while promoting healthy bacteria to maintain GI health.
Probiotics Strains Included
Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus lactics.
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How to Keep Dog Probiotic Bacteria Alive (Handling & Storing)
Did you know oxygen and high temperatures can also cause probiotic bacteria to die rapidly?
Probiotics are living microorganisms that have evolved inside your dog’s digestive system, as your dog’s gut is an anaerobic or oxygen-free environment. When you feed your dog probiotics, you introduce living bacteria into their gastrointestinal tract. If you want your dog to benefit from it, you must know how to keep them alive.
While good manufacturers help you accomplish this to some extent through packaging, there are some storing and handling practices you must follow:
Never store them in a medicine cabinet in a bathroom where you shower. The heat and humidity from the hot water can kill the probiotics.
Best Soil-Based Probiotics For Dogs
A solid-based dog probiotic like Vitality Science Pet Flora can help restore your pet’s health. Soild-based probiotics, also known as soil-based organisms (SBOs) or spore-forming probiotics, are unique due to them being cultivated on the earth instead of dairy. Most dog probiotics are cultivated in dairy and may be less effective and cause more problems for animals suffering from lactose intolerance.
Soil-based probiotics for dogs are probiotic supplements derived from naturally occurring beneficial bacteria found in soil. These probiotics are made up of hard and resilient bacterial spores that can withstand harsh environmental conditions and easily survive the journey through the dog’s digestive system.
Vitality Science takes the soil-based probiotics and then adds Humic and Fulvic acids extracted from ancient plant deposits. Natural humic acid is one of the most effective anti-virals on the planet. They recently increased the humic acid to 30 percent. Their products are backed by 50 years of research, and over the past 17 years, they have helped thousands of dog owners and their pets.
Can I Give My Dog Probiotics While On Antibiotics?
Did you know antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria?
When dogs are prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial illness such as UTI, gastrointestinal infections, or skin infections (dermatitis), the antibiotic will kill or weaken disease-causing bacteria to fend off an infection. However, it also kills off the “good” bacteria in the gut.
This is precisely why antibiotics can be difficult for dogs to tolerate and often causes common side effects such as diarrhea, digestive tract inflammation, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal issues.
Yes, you can give probiotics to dogs while on antibiotics! If your dog is under antibiotics, feeding probiotic supplements may reduce the possible antibiotics stress, such as side effects. Probiotics will repopulate the good bacteria killed by the antibiotic restoring and maintaining good bacteria levels. This can contribute to a quick elimination of the infection.
Best Probiotics For Dogs On Antibiotics
The best probiotic strain for dogs on antibiotics is known as Saccharomyces boulardii, or S boulardii for short. This probiotic is unique because it is a yeast strain, not bacteria. For this reason, S boulardii can’t be killed by antibiotics. So if you want to help your dog avoid antibiotic stress, help protect the beneficial gut bacteria, and restore good bacteria balance, look for yeast-based probiotics like Saccharomyces.
In a recent trial in dogs, Saccharomyces boulardii was beneficial in treating acute and chronic diarrhea. S. boulardii has also been reported to help treat Candida, yeast, and chronic inflammation.[5]
If you know your dog will be put under an antibiotic regimen, you can be proactive and start him on probiotics immediately to prevent any side effects from the meds.
FullBucket Health Dog Probiotic
Veterinarians have used FullBucket Health in their daily practice since 2010. Unlike most probiotics on the market using bacteria-based probiotics (which don’t work well when your dog is on antibiotics), FullBucket dog probiotics are formulated with the world’s leading yeast probiotic strain, Saccharomyces boulardii. This strain of probiotics is safe to use during antibiotic therapy and supports optimal digestion.
Their formula is also boosted with prebiotics, digestive enzymes (Protease, Lipase, cellulase, and amylase), and L-glutamine. Each scoop contains 5 BillionCFU’ss of Saccharmoyces boulardii per serving. This all-natural, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO canine probiotic formula is also made in the US. It contains flaxseed meals and natural flavors for optimal taste.
Best Probiotic For Dogs — Conclusion & Alternatives
The use of probiotics for dogs has grown in popularity among pet owners who want to improve their furry friend’s overall health and well-being.
Besides adding probiotics to your dog’s diet, there are other things you can do to treat your dog if he’s suffering from chronic GI problems, such as performing a dog gut health test.
Sometimes digestive problems are not related to chronic GI problems, but your dog’s diet is the root of the problem. You may also want to consider switching your dog’s diet to a fresh dog food diet which has been shown to improve digestive issues. These companies can create personalized food blends formulated to address GI problems and allergies for your dog. And they deliver right to your door. Another diet alternative could be a plant-based food for dogs. A growing number of studies and reports indicate that dogs maintained on a vegan diet may be beneficial. Check out our best vegan dog foods to learn everything about it and how they can help relieve your dog’s tummy issues.
The wide variety of probiotics available on the market can make choosing the right one for your dog challenging. According to scientific research and customer reviews, the brands listed in this article are among the best probiotics for dogs. However, please consult your veterinarian before adding any supplement to your dog’s diet to ensure it is safe and suitable for their needs. A good probiotic can help your dog stay healthy and happy by maintaining optimal digestive and immune functions.
