Dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often struggle with chronic digestive upset, nutrient absorption issues, and recurring diarrhea—but the right probiotic can make a real difference. Specialized probiotic formulas for IBD help restore gut balance by adding beneficial bacteria that reduce inflammation, strengthen the intestinal barrier, and support immune regulation. In this guide to the best probiotics for dogs with IBD, we highlight clinically studied strains proven to aid canine gut health, formulas with guaranteed CFU counts through shelf life, clean ingredient profiles, and rigorous quality testing (GMP/NASC certified) for long-term digestive relief.
The Link Between IBD In Dogs & Probiotics
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in dogs occurs when the gut lining becomes chronically inflamed, disrupting digestion and the balance of intestinal bacteria. Probiotics introduce beneficial microbes that help reduce inflammation, strengthen the gut barrier (increase IgA, improve tight junctions), and restore microbial diversity. They also produce short-chain fatty acids that nourish colon cells and support stool quality. In practice, a dog-appropriate probiotic (with clearly listed strains, billions of CFU guaranteed through the end of shelf life) may help manage flare-ups, support remission, and improve nutrient absorption—especially when combined with a vet-approved IBD diet and proper hydration.
How To Pick The Best Probiotics For Dogs With IBD
Feature
What to Look For
Why It Matters
Strain-level ID & canine data
Named strains researched for IBD (e.g., B. longum BL999, L. plantarum 299v, E. faecium SF68).
Supports gut barrier integrity and modulates chronic inflammation.
Guaranteed CFUs
Billions of CFU per daily dose, guaranteed through end of shelf life.
Ensures consistent probiotic activity during long-term IBD care.
IBD-targeted formulation
Blends for chronic GI disorders; gentle, anti-inflammatory strains preferred.
Promotes remission maintenance and reduces flare-up severity.
Gut-soothing ingredients
Limited excipients, no artificial flavors; may include L-glutamine or colostrum.
Minimizes irritation and supports mucosal healing.
Delivery form
Powder or capsule for clean formulation; avoid treats with fats or fillers.
Improves absorption and prevents triggering sensitive digestion.
Feeds beneficial bacteria without increasing gas or bloating.
Stability & storage
Shelf-stable or refrigeration required; sealed to protect from moisture.
Keeps live strains viable for optimal gut support.
Dosing & timing
Weight-based; start at low dose and build; give with meals or prescription diet.
Improves tolerance and helps colonize the intestinal lining effectively.
Diet compatibility
Pairs well with hydrolyzed or novel-protein IBD diets and omega-3 support.
Combines dietary management with microbiome repair for lasting results.
Quality & transparency
NASC/GMP certified, clear strain list, and third-party testing for purity.
Confirms product safety and reliable probiotic potency.
Always consult your veterinarian before introducing probiotics toyour dog’s diet. You can get personalized nutritional advice from an online registered vet nutritionist through Vetster—available anytime, anywhere. You can also chat with an online vet to ask whether your dog could benefit from probiotics and which strains are best. Additionally, at-home dog gut health tests can provide valuable insights by analyzing your dog’s microbiome. Likewise, an at-home dog allergy test can help identify potential food sensitivities that may be contributing to IBD issues. Armed with this information, you can confidently choose the right probiotic and dietary strategy to support your dog’s optimal health.
Best Probiotics For Dogs with IBD
Here are the best canine probiotics for IBD of this year.
Best Overall Dog Probiotic For IBD
4.9
★★★★★
Purina FortiFlora
Who It’s For: Dog owners seeking a high-quality, well-rounded probiotic suitable for all breeds and sizes, offering proven health benefits.
Why we recommended it: Most probiotics can help with the looseness of the bowls. Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora stands out because it has been specially formulated to promote normal intestinal microflora in dogs suffering from IBD. For years, vets have recommended FortiFlora dog probiotics to help support digestive health, reduce gas, and manage the diet of puppies and adult dogs with IBD. It’s also an excellent probiotic for puppies with IBD.
What sets it apart from competitors: Proprietary microencapsulation guarantees the survival of the probiotic bacteria, so your dog gets the maximum benefits on each serving. This probiotic powder is perfect for all breeds of dogs at any stage of life. It comes in pre-measured packets to ensure your dog gets the ideal daily dose of probiotics.
Probiotics strains: Enterococcus faecium, vitamins E, B, and C, antioxidants, beta-carotene, and zinc.
Pros
Pre-measured sachets for easy serving
Contains antioxidant Vitamins A, E, and C
Enterococcus Faecium, zinc, and beta-carotene
Formulated by nutritionists, researchers, and veterinarians
Cons
A bit more expensive
Best Dog Chew Probiotic For IBD
4.7
★★★★★
Ollie Probiotic Chews
Who It’s For: Pet parents who prefer a convenient, tasty, chewable probiotic for dogs with IBD that dislike powders or capsules.
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 is made to help support normal gut flora and bowel movement, promoting 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 do 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 IBD 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 sprinkling it over dry 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 With IBD
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:Nusentia Dog Miracle Probiotic offers excellent value for dogs, individuals with multiple pets, or those who require multiple servings per day. Nusentia provides the best quantity for your buck, with over 360 scoops per jar. Perfect for combating dog IBD, loose stool, yeast overgrowth, gas, bad breath, constipation, skin issues (including itching and scratching), allergies, digestive issues, 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. Includes Inulin, a prebiotic.
Why we recommended it: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 their 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 that 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 works 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: The addition of prebiotics provides food and fuel to probiotics, helping to 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: If you have a small dog breed suffering from IBD, 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:Nutramax Proviable-DC Health Supplement 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 due to boarding stress, antibiotics, or a sensitive system, ProViable probiotic capsules help restore 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 enhanced with two prebiotics, which support the growth of probiotics within the intestinal tract and help them compete against the harmful bacteria that colonize the intestines. The box contains 80 capsules, sufficient for up to three months.
Why we recommended it:Bene-Bac Plus Probiotic Pet Gel is 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, allowing them to reach the intestines. The easy-to-use dial-a-dose syringe provides the indicated dose, making it simple to administer in any situation.
Another probiotic paste alternative is FullBucket Dog Probiotic Paste. It’s a highly concentrated yeast-based formula that supports natural gut defenses during periods of stress. It contains 12.5 billion CFUs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii per serving. This formula also includes prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and L-glutamine. 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 with IBD
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 a convenient location 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: Enhances palatability for any food.
Why we recommended it:Mary Ruth’s USDA Certified dog organic liquid probiotic offers a proprietary blend (plant-derived and 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 it can be stored 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 With IBD
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 rich in 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 enhances its formula with Papaya for digestive enzyme support, plus Pumpkin as a fiber and prebiotic source to aid motility and bowel movement in 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, promoting faster wellness for any puppy, adult, or senior dog.
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 dogs
Handling & Storing
Handling & Storage Tip
Best Practice
Why It Matters
Keep in original packaging
Store probiotics in their sealed bottle or pouch. Do not transfer to glass jars or plastic bags.
Original packaging is designed to protect live bacteria from air, light, and moisture.
Store in a cool, dry place
Keep away from direct sunlight, heat vents, and humidity sources.
Prevents heat damage that kills beneficial bacteria and reduces potency.
Seal tightly after each use
Ensure the lid or zip-lock is closed immediately after scooping or dosing.
Reduces oxygen exposure and moisture that shorten product shelf life.
Avoid bathroom or kitchen storage
Do not keep probiotics in medicine cabinets, bathrooms, or near stoves.
Humidity and temperature changes from steam or cooking can destroy live cultures.
Refrigerate if required
Check the label—some probiotics need refrigeration; others are shelf-stable.
Cold storage keeps sensitive strains viable and extends product lifespan.
Do not open until ready
Open only when you plan to start using the probiotic regularly.
Prevents unnecessary exposure to air and humidity that degrade CFU count.
Watch expiration dates
Discard expired probiotics or those stored improperly.
Expired products may contain fewer live bacteria and lose therapeutic value.
Handle with clean, dry hands
Use a clean scoop or spoon—avoid moisture contact.
Prevents contamination and mold growth in opened containers.
Avoid freezing or overheating
Don’t store probiotics in freezers, cars, or near heaters.
Extreme temperatures kill beneficial bacteria and make the product ineffective.
Travel storage
Use insulated pouches or cool bags when traveling with temperature-sensitive probiotics.
Maintains stable conditions and preserves bacterial viability during trips.
The Bottom Line
Managing inflammatory bowel disease in dogs is a long-term journey that requires patience, consistency, and the right support. Probiotics can play a powerful role in restoring gut balance, reducing inflammation, and strengthening your dog’s digestive barrier—but not all formulas are created equal. Choosing a probiotic with canine-tested strains, guaranteed CFUs, and clean ingredients can make a noticeable difference in your dog’s comfort and stool quality. When paired with a vet-recommended IBD diet and regular monitoring, the right probiotic helps transform flare-ups into stability and supports a healthier, happier gut for life.
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