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Probiotics for Dogs

Probiotics for dogs are essential to keep the "bad bacteria" in check and the dogs' intestinal microfloral in balance.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria and yeast, and are used to restore the normal balance of microflora (bacteria) in the gastrointestinal tract. In other words, probiotics are the "good, friendly bacteria" that are used to combat the "bad, harmful bacteria" that have grown out of proportion due to numerous reasons, such as:

  • The normal intestinal balance may have been disrupted by drugs, like antibiotics, or steroids.
  • Dietary change or poor diet.
  • Exposure to a pathogenic virus or bacteria.
  • Exposure to pollutants or allergens, such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, etc.
  • Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Stress due to changes in environment, etc.

Probiotics include a variety of species, most of which are lactic acid bacteria, such as L. acidophilus, and L. bulgaricus. They act as the body's first line of defence against all the potentially harmful bacteria and other microorganisms that your dog eats or inhales. Thus, having a constant supply of these friendly bacteria in your dog's GI tract can help prevent a wide range of health problems. To achieve this, these friendly bacteria must be present in optimal numbers and ratio (approx. 85% beneficial to 15% non-beneficial).

Probiotics for Dogs - What are the Benefits?

Probiotics have been found to have a lot of benefits on our dogs. In particular, probiotics are:

Probiotics for Dogs

Good for Intestinal Disorders

Probiotics for dogs can aid food digestion and improve lactose intolerance. As a result, they are effective in preventing and treating intestinal disorders caused by poor digestion, such as diarrhea, vomiting, gas, and bloating.

Also, a lot of other dog health problems are as a result of intestinal disorders. For example, it has been found that there is a connection between intestinal disorders and the following problems:

Use of probiotics as a supplement can help prevent or treat such dog health problems.

Nutritive

Probiotics are nutritive and can manufacture vitamin B groups, biotin and folic acid. They stimulate the immune system and therefore improve the health and general physical wellbeing of our dogs.

Given to puppies, probiotics can improve growth by aiding digestion and absorption of nutrients, antioxidants and iron from food.

Probiotics can also enhance appetite and increase energy levels, so they are beneficial to aging dogs or dogs with low energy levels.

Anti-bacterial and anti-microbial

Some probiotic bacteria can inhibit the growth of some yeast (such as Candida albicans), and can produce natural antibiotics that overpower pathogenic bacteria or microorganisms, such as salmonella, E-Coli, etc. Other probiotic bacteria seem to be able to act as catalysts that trigger the immune system of the gastrointestinal tract to produce and synthesize different chemicals and hormones, resulting in a reduction of damage due to inflammation.

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Probiotics for Dogs - When do Dogs Need Them?

Probiotics for Dogs

Probiotics can be given to dogs as a dietary supplement and all dogs can benefit from them.

However, probiotics for dogs have been found to be of particular help at certain critical times in our dog's life, such as:

Puppy Stage

Probiotics are beneficial for puppies. At birth, the puppy's intestinal tract is relatively "clean" and sterile; it is a good time to fortify the tract with these beneficial bacteria at this stage.

Probiotics are also beneficial when a puppy starts to wean - They can help the puppy's digestive system to adjust to the dietary change from mother's milk to puppy food. In addition, they can assist in food digestion and nutrient absorption.

After Antibiotic Treatment

Antibiotics kill off the good beneficial bacteria in the dog's digestive tract. If your dog has undergone antibiotic treatment, therefore, it is advisable to supplement the dog with probiotics. This will help replenish the beneficial bacteria in your dog's digestive tract, thus restoring the balance of intestinal microflora in the tract.

Digestive Disorders

If your dog is suffering from digestive disorders, such as diarrhea and gastric ulceration due to infectious causes, probiotics can be used as part of the treatment. Other digestive problems such as constipation, flatulence, bloat, etc. will also benefit.

Allergies / Skin Problems

As mentioned above, many symptoms of allergies (itching, eczema, etc.) are connected with an imbalance in the intestines. Therefore, very often, supplementing your dog with probiotics can alleviate these symptoms a lot.

Stress

Stressful situations and events (e.g. long trips, vaccinations, environmental changes, surgery) can result in reduced appetite, which in turn can lead to malnutrition and weakened immunity. Probiotics can help improve digestion and strengthen the immune system at these stressful times.

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Probiotics for Dogs - Are They Safe?

Relatively little medical research has been conducted and documented on the use of probiotics in dogs (and other animals). However, probiotics appear to be completely safe and anecdotal reports of the use and effects of probiotics on dogs have been positive.

A Good Product of Probiotics for Dogs

NF Spectra Probiotic

Integrative Therapeutics NF Spectra Probiotic for Dogs and Cats



Related Topic

Natural Supplements for Dogs

References

Pitcairn and Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale, 2005).
A.D. Shojai, New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats (Rodale Press, Inc., 1999).

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