If you’ve ever taken probiotics or heard of someone giving them to their dog, you know the benefits they can provide. Probiotics promote a balanced immune system, help with gut health, maintain an ideal body weight, and promote a healthy microbiome. But can you share your human probiotics with your dog?
The Answer
The answer is that while human probiotics likely won’t harm your dog, it’s better to give them a dog-specific probiotic. Human and dog bacteria are different, so it’s important to prioritize your dog’s specific needs.
In this Guide
In this guide, we will discuss when to give your dog a probiotic, signs that indicate your dog might need one, and how to train your dog to take a probiotic daily.
Signs Your Dog May Need a Probiotic
While there’s no evidence that human probiotics will harm dogs, veterinarians recommend using a probiotic specifically formulated for dogs. The gut is the largest immune organ in the body, so it’s important to keep your dog’s gut health in check.
Signs to Watch Out For
Signs that your dog may need a probiotic include constant itching or scratching, smelly breath and stool, excessive shedding, dry and flaky skin, ear infections, and loose stool or diarrhea.
Body Language Cues
Watch out for body language cues that indicate your dog might benefit from probiotics, such as whining, panting, chewing, scratching, dropped ears, pacing, sniffing, and raised ears.
Other Signs to Look For
If you notice these body language cues along with bad breath, bad odor, ear infections, itchy and flaky skin, reactions to antibiotics and medications, or diarrhea and loose stool, it’s important to contact your vet.
Historical and Scientific Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs
Historically, probiotics have been beneficial for humans and dogs alike. Studies show that probiotics can provide dogs with various benefits, including promoting a healthy immune system and potentially impacting chronic GI abnormalities, obesity, mood, and certain diseases.
Choosing the Right Probiotic
When choosing a probiotic for your dog, look for a high number of live organisms, at least 20 million of good bacteria per serving, 10 or more good bacterial strains, and adherence to good manufacturing practices. Specific strains to look for include enterococcus faecium and bacillus coagulans.
Training Your Dog
Work with your veterinarian to develop a probiotic plan for your dog. It’s important to train your dog to take the probiotic comfortably and correctly. Follow the specific directions for administering the probiotic and consider training your dog to take pills gently, play throw and catch with the pills, or hide them in food or treats.
“Promote a healthy gut and a happy pup with dog-specific probiotics.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Give your dog a dog-specific probiotic: While human probiotics may not harm your dog, it’s best to give your dog a probiotic specifically designed for their gut health and needs. The bacteria in your dog’s immune system is different from yours, so it’s important to give them the right probiotic for optimal health.
2️⃣ Watch for signs that your dog may need probiotics: Look out for signs of digestive stress in your dog, such as constant itching or scratching, smelly breath and body, excessive shedding, dry and flaky skin, ear infections, loose stool, and diarrhea. These signs may indicate that your dog’s gut health is in trouble and could benefit from probiotics.
3️⃣ Train your dog to take probiotics: Work with your veterinarian to come up with a probiotic plan for your dog and train them to take the probiotics comfortably. Follow the specific directions for administering the probiotics and consider hiding them in food or treats to make it easier for your dog to take them.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can I give my dog my human probiotics?
Answer: While human probiotics wouldn’t harm your dog, it’s best to give them a dog-specific probiotic because their immune system bacteria is different.
2. What are the signs that my dog may need a probiotic?
Answer: Signs include constant itching or scratching, strong odors from breath, body, and stool, excessive shedding, dry and flaky skin, ear infections, and loose stool/diarrhea.
3. What are some body language cues that indicate my dog could benefit from probiotics?
Answer: Whining, panting, chewing, scratching, dropped ears, pacing, sniffing, and raised ears can indicate digestive distress.
4. Are there historical benefits of probiotics for dogs?
Answer: Yes, studies show that probiotics can positively impact chronic GI abnormalities, obesity, mood, and certain diseases in dogs.
5. What scientific criteria should I look for when choosing a probiotic for my dog?
Answer: Look for probiotics with a high number of live organisms (at least 20 million), 10 or more good bacterial strains, and that meet good manufacturing practices and requirements. Specific strains to look for include enterococcus faecium and bacillus coagulans.
