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A dog’s health begins in the gut. Beneath the wagging tails and playful barks lies a complex microbiome—a bustling community of bacteria that can bolster your dog’s vitality or leave them struggling with digestion, allergies, or chronic discomfort. Probiotics are the key to tipping the scales toward optimal health, but not all probiotics are created equal. How do you discern what will truly benefit your dog in a crowded market of supplements promising miraculous results? Is it about specific strains? Formulation? Or is it simply a matter of trial and error? As pet owners increasingly turn to probiotics to address everything from upset stomachs to itchy skin, the demand for clarity has never been greater. This guide reviews the best probiotics for dog brands that stand out as the best in their class.
Probiotics are supplements containing live, beneficial bacteria (probiotic strains) that boost health when consumed adequately. 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 found in powders, chews, capsules, pastes, liquids, or food.
The Role of Probiotics In Dogs
Like humans, your dog’s body is home to good and bad bacteria. Bad bacteria, often in the form of germs or pathogenic strains, can cause diseases, infections, and even serious illness. Occasionally, this delicate bacterial balance can be disrupted, allowing harmful bacteria to overpower beneficial ones. This imbalance can impair your dog’s ability to digest food properly, leading to digestive issues and other health problems. Probiotics help restore and maintain this balance by supporting good bacteria, preventing gastrointestinal (GI) issues, and strengthening the immune system, especially after disruptions caused by illness, infection, antibiotic use, or other stressors.
Canine probiotics are designed to nourish and promote the growth of good bacteria in your dog. They can promote healthy gut flora, decrease diarrhea incidents, improve food allergies, promote better skin and coat and more. To learn more about their benefits, read out the Probiotics for Dogs guide for the latest research and critical information you need to know about probiotics.
How To Pick The Best Probiotics For Your Dog
Multiple bacteria strainsDifferent strains of bacteria provide additional benefits to your dog. Studies have shown that multi-strain probiotics are more effective than single-strain probiotics. For instance, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus aid with diarrhea and gut health.
Packaging and shelf stabilityLook for brands that provide protective shieldsfor their probiotics, so more bacteria reach your pet’s intestines intact. Consider opting for single-use packaging.
ProbioticsOpt for a probiotic formula that includes a prebiotic. Prebiotics support probiotic growth and propagation, which is vital in controlling harmful bacteria.
Potency and CFUMost dog probiotic supplements come in CFUs ranging from 1 billion to 10 billion per serving. The higher the CFUs, the more amount of bacteria and potency.
Living bacteriaSometimes,, when you buy a probiotic, some of the bacteria in the product die. Look for a probiotic that guarantees CFU at expiry to get at least the amount of bacteria promised on the label.
Allergen-freeAvoid probiotics that contain allergens like dairy, fish, bovine, crustaceans, soy, and wheat.
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.
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.
Why we recommended it:Nom Nom is a well-known, reputable dog food delivery service in the United States. They won 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. Their veterinary nutrition and microbiology team expertly formulate them.
What sets it apart from competitors: It’s boosted with prebiotic fiber for added beneficial bacteria development.
Why we 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.
Why we 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 one of the most sustainable dog food brands. It has partnered with How2Recycle to ensure that its probiotic jars are 100% recyclable and not end up in landfills.
Why we 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 by adding water or sprinkled over dry or dehydrated kibble. It’s ideal for rehabilitation, digestive issues, and general immune support at the gut level for growing puppies. Serve over kibble, hydrate Honest Kitchen food, or offer it 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, as it helps support their digestion, immune systems, and well-being.
Probiotics strains: Lactobacillus case, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium longum, and E. thermopilus.
Pros
Human-grade
No by-products, preservatives, or GMO ingredients.
Cons
One flavor
Cheapest Probiotic For Dogs
4.7
★★★★★
Nusentia Dog Miracle
Who It’s For: Budget-conscious dog owners seeking an effective and affordable probiotic option without compromising on quality.
Why we 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 and offers a 60-day 100% money-back guarantee. Includs Inulin, a prebiotic.
Why we 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 has a tasty chicken probiotic flavor can freshen your dog’s 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.
Why we 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 result is better digestion, enhanced nutrient absorption, improved immune function, and a healthier, happier pup.
Why we 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 are 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.
Why we recommended it: 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 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, which support the probiotics’ growth within the intestinal tract and help them compete against the harmful bacteria that colonize the intestines. The box comes with 80 capsules, enough to last up to three months.
Why we 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. Its easy-to-use dial-a-dose syringe gives the indicated dose, making it easy to feed in 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.
Pros
Easy administration
Dial-a-dose mechanism
1-year date code guarantee
1 gram travel tube for on-the-go treatment
Cons
Not as much quantity for the price
Gel options can get messy
Best Probiotics Spray For Dogs
4.7
★★★★★
Florazil
Who It’s For: Busy dog parents looking for a probiotic spray that’s quick to apply and easy to use with any food.
Why we recommended it: Try Florazil+ Multi-Probiotic Food Spray for Dogs, our top pick for the best probiotic spray. It contains an assortment of probiotics that work 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
Why we 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:Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium lactis, and B. breve.
Pros
Vegan
Non-GMO
Gluten-free
USDA organic probiotic
Cons
The bottle must be handled carefully as it can break if dropped
Best Probiotic Powder For Dogs
4.7
★★★★★
Honest Paws
Who It’s For: Dog owners preferring a versatile powdered probiotic to mix into meals for seamless feeding.
Why we 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.
Why we 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 helps absorb essential nutrients while promoting healthy bacteria to maintain GI health.
It contains garbanzo and pea flours, which might cause issues for some dog
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 bacterial illnesses such as UTIs, gastrointestinal infections, or skin infections (dermatitis), the antibiotic kills or weakens 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 cause common side effects such as diarrhea, digestive tract inflammation, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal issues. Yes, you can give probiotics to dogs while they are on antibiotics! If your dog is under antibiotics, feeding probiotic supplements may reduce the possible stress of the antibiotics, such as side effects. Probiotics will repopulate the good bacteria killed by the antibiotic, restoring and maintaining good bacteria levels. This can contribute to the quick elimination of the infection.
Best Probiotics For Dogs On Antibiotics
The best probiotic strain for dogs on antibiotics is Saccharomyces boulardii, or S. boulardii for short. Unlike bacterial probiotics, this unique yeast strain is unaffected by antibiotics, making it an ideal choice for dogs undergoing antibiotic treatment. By using S. boulardii, you can help your dog avoid antibiotic-related stress, protect beneficial gut bacteria, and restore the balance of good bacteria. In a recent study, S. boulardii showed effectiveness in treating both acute and chronic diarrhea in dogs. Additionally, it has been reported to aid in addressing issues such as Candida, yeast infections, and chronic inflammation.[5] If your dog is about to begin an antibiotic regimen, immediately starting them on a yeast-based probiotic like S. boulardii can help minimize side effects and maintain gut health.
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.
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:
Keep your probiotics in their original package or bottle. Their packaging has been specially designed to protect living bacteria. Moving them to plastic bags, and glass jars may kill the bacteria and reduce your probiotic effectiveness.
Store them in a cool, dry place
Make sure they’re tightly sealed all the time.
Don’t open probiotics until you are ready to use them.
Discard expired probiotics as they are likely to contain fewer living CFUs
Some probiotics may need to be refrigerated. The manufacturer will generally state that somewhere on the package.
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.
The Bottom Line
Probiotics for dogs have become increasingly popular among pet owners looking to improve their furry friend’s overall health and well-being. In addition to adding probiotics to your dog’s diet, other steps can help address chronic GI issues, such as performing a dog gut health test to identify underlying problems.
Sometimes digestive issues aren’t caused by chronic GI problems but by your dog’s diet. In such cases, switching to a fresh dog food diet could make a difference. Many companies offer personalized food blends that are conveniently delivered to your door to address GI problems and allergies. Another option to consider is a plant-based diet for dogs. Emerging studies suggest that vegan diets may provide health benefits for dogs. If this interests you, explore our guide to the best vegan dog foods to see how they might alleviate your dog’s digestive issues. Another option to consider is raw dog food, which mirrors a dog’s ancestral diet and can be beneficial for digestive health and overall well-being. If you’re curious about raw feeding, explore our best raw dog food options to see how this natural approach could help alleviate your dog’s tummy troubles.
With so many probiotics on the market, finding the right one for your dog can feel overwhelming. Based on scientific research and customer reviews, the brands listed in this article are among the best probiotics for dogs. However, always consult your veterinarian before introducing any supplement to your dog’s diet to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for their needs. A quality probiotic can significantly support your dog’s digestive health and immune system, helping them lead a happier, healthier life.
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