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Did you know that your dog’s digestive system is responsible for 70% of your dog’s immune system?  That means an upset stomach can impact immunity, and possibly put your pup at risk for getting sick. 

Your dog’s gut is where carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are broken down, and where vitamins and mineral supplements are absorbed into their body. And, much like humans, dogs can have stomach problems like constipation, digestive issues, and colitis. 

In other words, a healthy gut equals a healthy dog! If you’ve ever experienced digestive issues, you may have taken probiotics and know the benefits associated with them. 

The good news is, probiotics can help dogs, too. Probiotics are good for the microorganisms that live within the digestive tract. While a healthy dog can usually maintain the balance of the digestive microbiome naturally, things happen, and imbalances occur. Changes in the microbiome can make dogs sick in various ways, including:

• Diarrhea
• Allergies
• Obesity
• Gas
• Cramping
• Bloating
• General poor health
• Upset stomach
• Bad breath

Unfortunately, there are many things that can change mycobiome, including:

• Antibiotics
• Changes in food
• Weaning
• Stress
• Infections
• Parasites
• A high carbohydrate diet
• Eating spoiled food 

Luckily, there are a few different types of probiotics for dogs, such as powders, pills, and even food. 

Just like with humans, yogurt or kefir with live cultures is a good source of natural probiotics. However, it’s important to keep an eye out for artificial sweeteners, since these can be dangerous for dogs. There are also a few dog foods with added probiotics; you’ll want to look for prebiotics in the food that feed the “good” bacteria. Keep in mind that bacteria are sensitive to temperature, air, and moisture. So the way that the actual food is made, how probiotics are added into the food, and the type of food it is can change the quality of both the food and the probiotics.  

Powdered probiotics may be an option for your pup, though they can be difficult to give to your dog. The same can be said for probiotic capsules. These can be hidden in peanut butter, cream cheese, or in canned food. If your dog is good at taking pills, this can be easy, but some dogs spit pills out until they are put directly in their mouth. 

Probiotic chews are an easy way to keep your pup’s gut healthy. You’ll want a chew that supports a healthy digestive tract. Ideally, the probiotic should include lecithin, which is used in pet foods to help aid in the digestion of oils and increase efficiency absorption. Plus, Lecithin has its own nutritional value and is found in all living cells. Papaya is a digestive enzyme that can promote healthy digestion, as well as Maltodextrin, which is a dietary fiber that enhances gut health and can help improve digestion problems, while preventing diabetes and obesity – these are two more key ingredients you will want in your pup’s probiotic.