Probiotics are recommended for humans to promote a healthy digestive system and physical wellness. Probiotics for dogs are a great way to keep your dog in top condition.

How do they work? And how can you give your dog probiotics?

Probiotics for dogs in Australia

You’re probably here because you heard probiotics for dogs are a beneficial treatment. But it is something I want to remind you. This is something that any vet who cares will tell you, but it’s almost always overlooked.

Probiotics won’t fix the root cause of your problem if you don’t address it with your diet.

You can supplement your dog’s food with probiotics. But if your dog is already suffering from one of the numerous terrible pet food products, you are essentially putting a bandaid on a wound that won’t heal.

What is the working principle of probiotics?

Most likely, you have been prescribed antibiotics at one time or another in your life. These drugs kill the bad bacteria that causes an infection in the body. These drugs are often lifesaving because they quickly kill bacteria and eliminate infection.

Antibiotics can kill bad bacteria but they also kill lots of good bacteria. This is known as gut flora.

Even if the dog has not been given antibiotics, there is still the possibility of an imbalance of good bacteria. Probiotics may help by stimulating healthy intestinal flora.

Although the digestive system of humans is different from that of dogs, the principle is the exact same: A dog with an unhealthy stomach could benefit from probiotics.

What are the signs that my dog requires probiotics?

A dog with a low level of friendly bacteria in their gut can lead to a variety of symptoms that may not otherwise be apparent. You could think that your dog was perfectly healthy up until recently, but suddenly developed one or more of these symptoms.

• Diarrhoea
• Gas
• Bloating
• Weight loss
• Pleasant smelling breath
• Tiredness
• Allergies and sensitivities
• Low mood
• Gurgling stomach

These symptoms could indicate that your dog is suffering from a deficiency in healthy bacteria. If the balance in the gut flora is not right, any dog’s food can be reabsorbed, which could prevent the dog from gaining any nutritional benefits.

Talk to your vet

Your vet is the first thing you need to do. There are many reasons for upset stomachs in dogs. Your vet will ask you if your dog is experiencing any of these issues.

• Stress
• Parasitic infection
• Change in diet
• Infections elsewhere in the body
• Bad food is more common than we’d like to admit

You should also be aware of other serious diseases that could cause sickness in your dog. It is important to rule out other serious conditions.

A course of probiotics may be recommended for dogs if your pet is otherwise healthy. They may recommend an antibiotic antiprotozoal drug such as metronidazole (brands Metrogyl and Flagyl in Australia).

You will need to decide whether you want to go for the drug route or a holistic probiotic route.

What are the health benefits of probiotics in dogs?

Probiotics are used to increase the good bacteria and balance the gut flora in dogs.

Your dog should feel much better soon after the course is completed, especially if any diet-related issues have been addressed.

You may see improvement in their stomach problems, but it is possible that they will also find a solution.