Probiotics for Dogs

Probiotics for Dogs are important, particularly at specific times.

First let's discuss just what probiotics are.

What are probiotics?

The most common packaged probiotics you'll find in comercial products are the bacterium l.acidophilus,l. bulgaricus and enterococcus faecum.Only Natural Pet Store offers a good range to choose from.

There are other bacteria classified as "probiotics", but these are the main ones.

Probiotic literally means "for, or supportive of, life". The group are the 'good' bacteria found in the large intestine that must be present to keep the bad stuff at bay. In fact the estimated, optimal ratio of good to bad bacteria for dogs is 85%/15%...

Unfortunately, probiotics for dogs aren't really prevelant in an otherwise healthy dog's diet, which should consist mostly of meat.

When should probiotics be administered?

We give our dogs "maintenance probiotics" (see below) as a preventative measure, nearly daily. But there are certain situations when your veterinarian will specify probiotics should be given as supplements.

Probiotics for dogs are accepted as standard operating procedure nowadays for dogs receiving oral antibiotics or antifungals.

Antibiotics kill most bacteria, not just the bad ones... so it is important to replace the good ones as soon as possible.

The probiotics should be given at least an hour after the antibiotics, otherwise the antibiotics will kill them almost immediately.

Any persistent bowel movement ireggularities (either too hard or soft stool) could indicate the bad bacteria is gaining an upper hand in the large intestine. What is important to remember is the it NEVER HURTS TO GIVE PROBIOTICS. We have searched and haven't found a single report of adverse side effects of probiotics in dogs....

Grass eating could be indicative of an intestinal bacteria imbalance as well.

Finally, we have read some breeders give their puppies probiotics, very early. We don't know about this and welcome comments.

Causes of intestinal bacteria imbalance

Not to be glib, but the causes of bacterial imbalances in the large intestines really aren't that important, because they really aren't avoidable.

In today's world pollutants, chemicals (inhaled or injested) as well as common infections have been shown to cause imbalance.

Allergies have both a causal and effect relationship with bacterial imbalances.

Some researchers have suggested that stressful situations can cause intestinal problems as can excessive travelling or changes of residence.

What do probiotic deficiencies cause?

As mentioned above, imbalances in the bacteria levels in the large intestine are thought to be tied to various allergy and skin disorders, including psoriasis. Which makes probiotics for dogs that much more important.

Asthma and arthritis are also thought to be related in some cases- though we aren't clear (and can't find out) just what that relationship is....

Yeast infections are often caused by probiotic deficiency. In my opinion, many yeast infections are treated with anti-biotics (which often cause further problem)mistakenly- and could be much more simply handled with a few days of high doses of probiotics.

I have no scientific data to back that up (and am NOT a veterinarian) but can speak from long experience as a dog owner on that one...

If a study conducted in 2003 by Nestle Purina is correct, probiotic supplements have a positive effect on a dog's immunosystem and also increase the efficacy of vaccines. It may then, be inversely true, that probiotic deficiency may cause weaker resitance to disease.

Which probiotic?

We aren't ready to go out on a limb on Probiotics for Dogs, since, as we state elsewhere, we aren't veterinarians.

So without naming names, let's just state that many of the probiotics currently manufactured and marketed for dogs leave a lot to be desired.

Some, if they aren't carefully refrigerated are rendered useless before they reach the shelf. Besides, the general quality of the materials used are often substandard.
So, when we have specific reason to administer we (and our vet agrees) give our dogs Protexin.

These are made for human consumption, and can be quite expensive, but they are good for dogs too.

As we state above, it is practically impossible to overdose on probiotics, so dosage is of little consequence.

When there is no direct reason to give supplements, we put a spoon of 'off the shelf' yougurt in our dogs' food three days a week.

That seems to work as a preventative, and is quite cost effective.

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