The 10 Best Probiotics For Dogs
This wiki has been updated 30 times since it was first published in April of 2017. Yes, we know you love your pooches, but all things considered, you might not need to feed them probiotics. After all, they eat from the street and drink from the toilet. However, if you wish to err on the side of caution and improve Spike’s well-being every way you can, the following supplements are among the best available. With that said, always consult a veterinarian first if your pet is ill. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Purina Fortiflora
2. Nutramax Proviable
3. Pet Ultimates
Editor's Notes
August 05, 2019:
On this update, we've included four new products to our list: Nutri-Vet Soft (#9); Zesty Paws (#7); Pet Ultimates (#3); and Nutramax Proviable (#2). We also bumped Purina Fortiflora from its previous position at #4 all the way to #1. Though it's a bit expensive, it is the probiotic supplement most frequently recommended by veterinarians during a bout of acute diarrhea. This leads to an important matter of discussion: the efficacy of probiotics in pets.
While we tend to anthropomorphize our furry friends and assume that what is beneficial for us is likely beneficial for them, this obviously can lead us into making unnecessary — and potentially harmful — decisions. In the case of probiotics, though, there is growing evidence that they can be beneficial for an animal who suffers from GI abnormalities. They're particularly useful after a dog has had an acute episode of diarrhea or a related gastrointestinal flare-up. Of course, in such a situation, you should always consult your veterinarian before turning to supplements.
We encourage you to investigate the scientific literature and decide for yourself whether or not the growing market for such supplements is the result of successful marketing gimmicks playing on human empathy. We do want to state the obvious, though, which is that there is no quick-fix for health, canine or otherwise. You should ensure that your pet is properly vaccinated, getting plenty of exercise, and eating healthy food. You can find a list of our favorite organic dog foods by clicking here.
4. Nusentia's Probiotic Miracle
5. Amazing Nutritionals
6. Buddy & Lola
7. Zesty Paws
8. Vetri Mega
9. Nutri-Vet Soft
10. NWC Naturals Total-Zymes
Daniel is a writer, musician, and frequent traveler with a bachelor’s in creative writing from the State University of New York. In recent years, his writing chops have developed alongside his musical skills, thanks to a rich double life. During the day, he apprenticed with “Rolling Stone” journalist and critic Will Hermes, and when the sun set, he and his NYC-based, four-piece band gigged at high-end venues across the northeastern United States. His affinity for sharing things he's passionate about has culminated in nine years of experience as a music teacher at elementary schools, where he honed his ability to simplify and elucidate concepts to the uninitiated. All considered, he feels most at home writing about instruments, audio electronics and backpacking gear.