5 Signs Your Dog Needs Probiotics

The global pet probiotics market has experienced impressive growth in recent years, a trend showing no signs of slowing (1). A growing body of research suggests that probiotics can aid with dog diarrhea and other forms of gastrointestinal upset. Veterinarians are finding that dog probiotics have applications for other maladies like allergies, yeast infections, and even anxiety, and that they play a critical role in overall health. 

How can you determine if your own dog might benefit from probiotics, though? Here, we share some insights, including signs your dog needs probiotics and tips for choosing the best product for your pup.

Keep in mind that while probiotics are generally considered safe, it’s best to check with your veterinarian first. This is especially important if your dog has a compromised immune system.

What Are Probiotics? Covering the Basics

All dogs have a microbiome, a diverse microscopic ecosystem that harbors trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and their genetic components. These microbes are found throughout the canine body, including on the skin, in the mouth, nose, and reproductive organs. Most, however, live in the gut, where 70 percent of the immune system is contained. Although the canine microbiome is unique to the species (and can differ by individual), scientists have discovered that it’s more similar to ours than previously thought (2).

Current research surrounding probiotics for dogs is focused on bacteria in the gut, where an estimated 200 bacterial species and 900 bacterial strains call home (3). Within the dog gut, these beneficial bacteria perform critical tasks that contribute to overall health (4). They help strengthen the immune system, aid in digesting food for the purpose of manufacturing nutrients, and ward off pathogens that can cause disease.

Given the microbiome’s importance, imbalances can adversely affect not just the gut, but a dog’s overall health. “Some of the ways the microbiome can become unbalanced is from stress and anxiety, antibiotics, and diet changes,” says Dr. Amber Karwacki, a partner doctor with Heart + Paw at their Callowhill location in Philadelphia.

Enter probiotics, available in certain dog foods and in supplement form like chews and powders. Scientists speculate that probiotics work, in general, by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria,  displacing those that cause disease. Probiotics for dogs are not a cure-all, but they can help to maintain healthy stools, and aid dogs suffering with a range of maladies, including allergies, oral health, diabetes, and even mood issues.

Types of Probiotics for Dogs

Probiotics for dogs are usually formulated with the same types of beneficial bacteria found in the canine gut, veterinarians say. The bacterial species and strains that have been studied the most for application in pet health belong to the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Enteroccocus groups. Examples of probiotic types you may encounter in dog food and supplements include some of the following:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Bifidobacterium breve
• Enterococcus faecium (strain SF68)
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Lactobacillus casei
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus (strain LGG)
• Bifidobacterium longum (also known as BL999)
• Lactobacillus plantarum

Let’s take a closer look at the research behind some of the dog probiotics currently on the market.

Enterococcus faecium

If your dog suffers from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you know how difficult it can be to manage, and that it causes an array of discomforting signs like diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Veterinarians think the gut in dogs with IBD doesn’t contain an adequate diversity of beneficial bacteria. In one study, the gut bacterial diversity of IBD pups given E. faecium (strain SF68) was restored to levels comparable to those in healthy dogs (5).

Lactobacillus acidophilus

One study found that including L. acidophilus in dry food significantly improved stool consistency in adult dogs (6). Additionally, the novel strain L. acidophilus MJC175 has been shown to prevent the growth of pathogens that contribute to periodontal disease (7).

Bifidobacterium longum

Dogs given the probiotic B. longum were more apt to explore new environments and less likely to exhibit anxious behaviors like barking, jumping, and spinning (8).

5 Signs Your Dog Needs Probiotics

Probiotics are typically used for dog diarrhea and other tummy troubles like vomiting and excessive gas. It turns out that probiotics for dogs have other applications, too. Here’s a closer look at some possible signs your dog needs probiotics.

Digestive Upset

An upset digestive system, consisting of signs like diarrhea, flatulence, and soft stool, is the most common sign a dog may need a probiotic, Dr. Karwacki says. “A dog’s microbiome (good gut bacteria) is responsible for aiding in food digestion. When the microbiome becomes unbalanced, your dog can have poor digestion.”

Chronic Skin Condition

If your dog can’t stop scratching themselves and is exhibiting other signs like red skin and hair loss associated with an allergic skin condition like atopic dermatitis, it may be related to an imbalanced gut microbiome. Scientists have, in fact, discovered a link between atopic dermatitis and the reduction in certain bacteria in the gut (9). “Your dog’s microbiome also helps to reduce inflammation and create healthy skin,” Dr. Karwacki explains.

Allergic reactions are the immune system’s way of responding to pathogens. Other types of allergies in dogs include flea allergy dermatitis and food allergies. Dog allergies can lead to secondary issues, such as yeast infections or ear infections. In addition to avoiding offending allergens, dogs with allergies should maintain a strong immune system, which incorporates proper gut health. Given that the gut contains at least 70 percent of the immune system, it’s in a prime position to ward off yeast and other pathogens.

Behavioral Disorder

An imbalanced microbiome has been linked to behavioral issues leading to anxiety, Dr. Karwacki says. Scientists say that because the brain and gut communicate with each other, beneficial bacteria in the gut can help with mental and emotional issues (8). The gut actually makes most of the body’s serotonin, the chemical associated with mood and sleep (10).

Frequent Antibiotic Use

Probiotics are useful if a dog has been placed on antibiotics, especially for a prolonged period of time, says Dr. Jerry Klein, DVM, chief veterinarian at the American Kennel Club.

“Probiotics help balance the gut by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria by competing for the same nutrients and resources,” he explains. “Boosting the populations of helpful bacteria limits the nutrients available for the bad bacteria and reduces their numbers to levels that your dog can tolerate better.”

Obesity

Gut health plays a role in metabolism, so an imbalanced microbiome can contribute to dog obesity. In fact, dogs receiving Enterococcus faecium (strain IDCC 2102) and Bifidobacterium lactis (IDCC 4301) in concert with a high-fat diet, had a reduction in body fat (11).

Other reasons your dog may benefit from probiotics include:

• Frequent infections
• General immune support
• Support for a weakened immune system (Care should be used with dogs who have severely weakened immune systems.)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Bad breath
• Poor coat quality

There’s a reason why dog probiotics are so important for good health. “Gut health affects nutrient digestion and absorption, energy metabolism, immune modulation, brain health, and joint health,” says Dr. Lisa Pinn McFaddin, an associate veterinarian with Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Bristow, Virginia. “Dysfunction in any one of these systems can lead to the previously listed conditions. The presence of the above conditions indicates inherent microbiome imbalance,” Dr. McFaddin adds.

Ultimately, “The immune system is stronger when the microbiome is healthy. If your dog is having constant sickness, a probiotic may be needed,” Dr. Karwacki offers.

How to Choose the Right Probiotic for Your Dog

Increased competition in the pet probiotics market has brought more products to store shelves. Though variety can be a wonderful thing, it’s important to keep in mind that not all dog probiotics are equal. Here are some veterinarian-recommended tips to help you choose the best probiotic for your pup.

Start with Your Veterinarian

Giving your dog a probiotic (or any supplement) may mask symptoms of a more serious illness. “And you don’t want to miss treating something in your dog,” Dr. Karwacki says. For example, a yeast infection can be the result of Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism, which require specific courses of treatment.

You’ll also want guidance from your veterinarian if your dog’s immune system is compromised (8), as it may not be able to tolerate the increased influx of bacteria.

Select the Correct Bacterial Strains and Number of CFUs

Veterinarians recommend choosing a probiotic from the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Enterococcus groups.

Also look for an adequate number of colony forming units (CFUs), which are the number of bacterial organisms found in a product. “Personally, the more the merrier,” says Dr. McFaddin, who has a special interest in integrative and rehabilitative medicine. “To a certain extent the use of probiotics is a numbers game. The goal is repopulation of the gut with higher numbers of healthy gut bacteria. So, to me, it would stand to reason the more strains and the higher the CFUs, the greater the chance of a beneficial response,” she says.

Veterinarians recommend products that contain between 1 and 10 billion CFUs per day (8).

Stick With Trustworthy Brands

Given that supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, quality control can be an issue. “Consumers and veterinarians must ensure the manufacturers of the products they use follow good manufacturing practices, have excellent quality control, and can provide data supporting these practices if asked,” Dr. McFaddin says. She recommends using products that carry the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) quality seal to help ensure safety and effectiveness.

Prebiotics Can Make a Difference

Prebiotics are the fiber that bacteria (including beneficial ones) eat for their survival. “The presence (or concurrent administration) of prebiotics within the probiotics can impact the efficacy of the probiotic,” Dr. McFaddin says. Ask your veterinarian if prebiotic supplementation is appropriate for your dog.

Use Probiotics Made Specifically for Dogs

Although it may be tempting to give your dog some of your yogurt (which can be high in sugar) or one of your own probiotic supplements, veterinarians recommend giving them dog probiotics. While the dog microbiome may be more similar to ours than previously thought, it’s still different enough to warrant probiotics formulated to meet their unique needs.

References:

1. Pet Probiotics Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and Outlook (2023-2030). (2024, January). Data Intelligence. Retrieved from https://www.datamintelligence.com/research-report/pet-probiotics-market
2. Coelho, L., Kultima, J., etal. (2018, April). Microbiome Journal. Similarity of the dog and human gut microbiomes in gene content and response to diet. Retrieved from https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-018-0450-3
3. Suchodolski, J. (2011, March. Intestinal Microbiota of Dogs and Cats: a Bigger World than We Thought. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. In National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7132526/
4. The Amazing World of the Canine Gut Microbiome. (2020, May). Morris Animal Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/amazing-world-canine-gut-microbiome
5. Chandler, M. (2018). Probiotics: Not All Created Equal. From World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress Proceedings, 2018. In Veterinary Information Network. Retrieved from https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=22915&catId=124642&id=8896543
6. Marelli, S., Fusi, Eleonora, etal. (2020, August). Effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529) on the nutritional and health status of boxer dogs. The Veterinary Record. In National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7456698/
7. You, H., Mahiddine, F. (2022, September). Lactobacillus acidophilus novel strain, MJCD175, as a potential probiotic for oral health in dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.946890/full
8. The power of probiotics. (n.d.). Dogwatch newsletter. In Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/power-probiotics
9. Rostaher, A., Morsy, Y., etal. (2022, September). Comparison of the Gut Microbiome between Atopic and Healthy Dogs—Preliminary Data. Animals. In National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9495170/
10. Chiochetti, R., Galiazzo, G., etal. (2022, January). Localization of the Serotonin Transporter in the Dog Intestine and Comparison to the Rat and Human Intestines. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. In National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8766808/
11. American Society for Microbiology. (2024, January). Probiotics promote weight loss in obese dogs. In Science Daily. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240129182338.htm