Most people don’t realize that the majority of a person’s immune system is actually located in the gut. The same is true for your dog, with the intestines housing approximately
70 percent of his body’s immune cells. It’s no surprise that having a healthy, functioning digestive system is critical to ensuring your dog lives a healthy and active life.
Today, we want to talk a bit about probiotics – including what they are, how they work, and whether or not they’re right for your dog.
Canine probiotics do exist; here’s what you need to know to use them safely.
Probiotics for Dogs
Just as with humans, one of the best ways to support your
dog’s gut health is through the use of probiotics. While there isn’t quite as much research for our four-legged companions as there is for people, veterinarians are recognizing the potential for both the treatment and prevention of disease with this simple supplementation method.
So, how do probiotics work? The gut contains both good and bad bacteria, but the good bacteria generally keep the bad in balance so they don’t cause illness or disease.
When a
dog becomes ill, especially with a gastrointestinal condition, it is usually because the ratio of bad bacteria has overrun the good. Regularly supplementing your dog’s diet with probiotics can help to prevent bad bacteria from overwhelming the good or, in the case of illness, can help to kill off the excess bad bacteria at a faster rate.
According to
Marcella D. Ridgway, VMD, MS, DACVIM, studies are showing stronger support for the benefits of probiotics for your furry family member. They have so far been found to support obesity recovery, treat liver disease, and have a positive impact on developing chronic GI disorders. At least a few studies have identified a link between probiotics, gut health, and positive behavior from dogs.
Physically, there are significant wellness benefits, too. Daily supplementation may improve your dog’s breath, reduce the regularity of those
noxious dog farts, and control allergy symptoms. Dogs prone to fungal skin infections may even find their symptoms are reduced or eliminated.
What to Consider When Choosing Probiotics for Your Dog
Some of the body’s best immune defenses come not only from the bacteria in the gut but from
Vitamin K and
Vitamin B. Probiotics help the body to naturally produce these vitamins, all of which help the body fight pathogens. In general, they boost the immune system and help your dog fight off common illnesses, especially respiratory disorders and allergies.
So what should you consider when deciding on a probiotic course?
Pet Probiotics or Human Probiotics?
There are a ton of probiotics on the market today. Some are advertised as specifically for dogs, but your vet may recommend you simply buy a human-grade probiotic and adjust the dose based on your dog’s weight.
Why?
The supplement market for humans is far better regulated for quality control. As a matter of fact,
one study found that only 2 in every 25 veterinary probiotics actually contained the bacterial strains listed on the bottle, at the percentage of concentration listed in the ingredients.
Human-grade probiotics are better for your dog.
Is the Dose Correct?
As noted, you’re going to need to adjust the dose to match your dog’s needs. Starting off with a high dose may cause your pup to have some GI side effects – the exact opposite of what you’re hoping to achieve.
Talk to your vet about your goal dosage and then start small, working your dog up to his intended full dose over a couple of weeks. Humans sometimes start taking probiotics daily and then switch to every-other-day. You may eventually want to switch your dog’s dosing schedule.
Find an Enteric-Coated Capsule
Humans and dogs have a similar problem in that the acidity in the stomach can kill the probiotics in a supplement before they reach the intestines, where they are really needed.
Choosing a probiotic with en enteric coating will allow it to pass through the stomach into the intestines. Once the capsule hits the small intestine. it begins to break open and allow the probiotics into the environment they were intended for.
If you have trouble getting your dog to take the capsule, try wrapping it in a treat or in a small piece of cheese with peanut butter. Your dog will likely swallow it without even knowing it was there. If he still balks, don’t give up. Other options (including powders you can sneak into yogurt) may be a more tempting option.
Try Pre-Biotics, Too
Prebiotics are supplements that are also non-digestible and can pass through the stomach and into the intestines with relative ease. They basically feed the probiotics so that they have a better chance of growing and spreading throughout the gut, enhancing their benefits over a shorter period of time.
Prebiotics aren’t
necessary, but they aren’t totally useless, either. Talk to your vet if you aren’t sure whether or not to include them.
Monitor for Reactions
While probiotics are considered safe for dogs, they can (just like anything else) have side effects. These complications have so far been very rare, generally occurring in very young pups and in dogs that have known autoimmune diseases. But that doesn’t mean you should assume your dog can take them without checking in with your vet. Be sure to ask for his or her opinion before you initiate treatment with any protocol, large or small, especially if your dog has known chronic health conditions involving the immune system.
Special Circumstances
Even if you don’t want to put your dog on a regular probiotic regime, consider using them if your dog is taking antibiotics. Antibiotics don’t know the difference between good and bad bacteria, creating an environment in which bad bacteria can overwhelm the good to create gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea. Probiotics help to constantly replace the good bacteria and reduce side effects while also soothing the G.I. tract.
However, there is a caveat: it’s important to space the probiotics a few hours before and/or after any antibiotic dose. Taking them together can negate the benefits of the supplement.
Be patient when you start out with probiotics for your dog. If your
dog wasn’t having any negative GI or skin issues, it may be harder to notice an immediate benefit. Over time, though, you may see that your dog is having easier, more regulated bowel movements. He will also likely present with more energy and possibly even a shinier coat. As long as your vet gives you the thumbs-up, trying probiotics may be just what you need.
