What Do Probiotics Do for Dogs?

You probably know that humans ingest good bacteria, in the form of probiotics, because of its many health benefits. But did you know that dogs can and should take probiotics as well?

In this post, we are going to take a look at why you, dog parent extraordinaire, should be supplementing your dog's diet with probiotics. After all, they're not going to tell you what's best for them — it's hard to do so without lips!

Illness in Dogs Can Come From Having More Bad Bacteria Than Good in Their Bodies

Just as in humans, the bacteria and other microorganisms living in your dog's intestinal tube affects their physical and cognitive health.

There are different colonies of bacteria in the canine gut that all play a role in the big picture — like the good guys, bad guys, and the extras in a movie! Good health comes from having a proper balance of all colonies of bacteria.

Can you guess what happens when dogs have an improper balance or more bad bacteria than good? Exactly — they suffer from poor health and illnesses! The medical term for this bacterial imbalance is dysbiosis.

What causes dysbiosis in canines? The top three culprits are antibiotics, overly processed commercial dog food, and stress. Two of these three also cause an imbalance of bacteria in humans. No wonder why dogs are man's best friend!

Unlike their ancestors, wolves, the majority of dogs today suffer from dysbiosis, and owners do not know it. Often, it can be a source of illness in dogs.

Probiotics Add More Good Bacteria With Each Dose

The solution to this imbalance in dogs is to counteract the abundance of harmful bacteria with beneficial bacteria. And there is no better way to do that than probiotics!

Probiotics contain strains of beneficial bacteria. Our very own dog probiotic has Lactobacillus Plantarum, found in sauerkraut and kimchi. There is a reason why health experts recommend these two superfoods.

When ingested by dogs, the probiotic creates colonies of the beneficial bacteria in their intestinal tube.

The amount formed is determined by the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) that the probiotic contains — a higher amount means more colonies can form. For reference, our dog probiotic contains 1 billion CFUs per tablet!

When looking for a dog probiotic, keeping this in mind as well as the form it comes in is essential. Probiotics can come in the form of liquid, capsule, powder, and tablet.

Knowing which one to give them easily is crucial because to benefit from probiotics, they must receive it for a while.

And they should if they are under stress, eating overly processed dog food, or routinely given antibiotics — the things that contribute to the imbalance of bacteria.

Improve Your Dog's Health by Restoring Balance

So what happens if we don't correct the imbalance of bacteria in them? Dogs get some of the common illnesses found today:

• Stomach issues — diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, or poor absorption of nutrients.
• Allergies — seasonal or food-related.
• Infections — ear, skin, or vaginal.
• Poor bone health — arthritis or joint.
• Lethargy — lack of energy and vitality.

And even if your dog does not currently have any of these issues, we would still recommend giving them probiotics. It is a good idea to take a proactive approach to their health at any stage of their life.

High-quality dog probiotics can restore the beneficial bacteria in dogs and ensure that their health is excellent.

And they would not have to suffer the issues that stop them from being their cute and lovely selves. As dog owners, why would we want anything less?

Probiotics Are Safe for Dogs With Minimal Side Effects

By this point, you're ready to give your dog some probiotics, but — are there any side effects involved? That is a good question!

Just like with dog food, probiotics can cause issues if they contain ingredients that give your dog trouble.

Dairy and gluten are two ingredients that are known to cause problems in dogs that do not digest them well. If your dog is also sensitive to fillers and additives, you will have to be on the lookout for those.

The goodness of dog probiotics and its benefits can only happen if your dog can ingest them without vomiting or getting diarrhea.

Choose a dog probiotic with minimally processed ingredients, no gluten, no dairy, a known and effective probiotic strain, and you should have no problem with side effects!

Give Your Dog a New Leash on Life

In the last few years, research has started to uncover the effect intestinal bacteria have on the physical and mental health of both humans and dogs.

The findings have been eye-opening and show they play a more important role than has been previously believed.

Consumption of probiotics has increased in people — that is a good thing. But what about man's best friend? What is a long life without the happiness of having our dogs right by our side?

By giving your dog probiotics, you are helping them to live a long and healthy life. Think about all the joy that comes along with it!

What dog owner wouldn't want that?