The 7 best probiotics for dogs

Probiotics are live organisms. These gut-dwelling microbes consist of beneficial bacteria, and yeast that help a dog’s digestive and immune systems. Dogs suffering from mild digestive tract issues like irritable bowel syndrome, acute diarrhea, anxiety, and tear stains may benefit from taking a probiotic.

We’ve reviewed seven of the best dog probiotics on the market based on factors such as ingredients and safety to make your search easier. As with any supplement, consult your veterinarian first to see if a particular probiotic might be best for your dog, plus their optimal recommended dosage.

Why you should trust our reviews

• Team researched – We did the online shopping for you. Our seven top picks were selected based on factors such as positive reviews, ingredients, safety, and palatability.
• Vet-approved – We consulted Dr. Erica Irish about each product. She gave us her honest opinion about each one based on her professional knowledge and experience.

Our top pick: Purina FortiFlora

Best limited-ingredient probiotic: Native Pet Probiotic for Dogs

Best for picky pups: Proflora Probiotic Soft Chews

Best dosage for digestion: Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites

Best for tummy troubles: Nusentia Probiotic Miracle

Best for dogs with allergies: Honest Paws Pre+ Probiotics

Best probiotic chew: PetLab Co. Probiotic Chews for Dogs

What to look for in the best dog probiotics

Vets generally recommend giving between 1 and 10 billion CFUs per dose of probiotics. However, since it’s a pretty broad scope, it’s best to consult your vet for a more accurate dosage that’s appropriate to your pet’s age, weight, and individual health conditions. Some of the factors to consider include:

• Safe ingredients. Probiotics are usually considered to be a dietary supplement—which doesn’t require Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) regulation or approval. Because of the lack of accountability, some subpar products can hit the market with questionable ingredients or a lack of proper labeling. You should only buy probiotics that clearly list the specific bacterial strains, CFUs, and any inactive ingredients.
• Bacteria. Not all strains of probiotic bacteria are beneficial to canines, including some probiotic supplements made for humans. All of the products on our list contained bacterial strains that are known to be helpful for dogs.
• Palatability. Probiotic chews may be the best idea for picky pups who don’t like powders or may have a difficult time eating their regular food.
• Recommended dosage. Vets recommend between 1 and 10 million CFUs per dose of probiotics. With this in mind, we noted the dosage of each product and made sure to mention whether or not it met the criteria.
• Veterinarian-formulated. We sought answers to whether the product was formulated by a veterinarian or clinically tested. In some cases, this involved reaching out to the company.

Vet-approved probiotic supplements can help your dog overcome a host of ailments that are caused or exacerbated by harmful bacteria. Digestive upset, sickness, inflammation, and even allergies are a few conditions that might be improved with a daily probiotic supplement.

The best dog probiotics

Always give your dog species-specific probiotics, because human supplements may not contain canine-specific benefits. For a probiotic to be effective, it must contain strains of bacteria that support your dog’s digestive system.

Some of these bacterial strains include Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus subtilis DE111, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis.

Prebiotics vs. probiotics

Your dog’s digestive tract naturally contains probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria. However, due to illness, environment, or diet, the number of these “good” bacteria can become outnumbered by harmful bacteria, which can cause various health issues. Probiotic supplements directly supply your dog with more beneficial bacteria, thereby helping their body overcome the influx of bad bacteria. On the other hand, prebiotics basically feed probiotics, helping their body produce more on its own.

“Think of prebiotics as ‘food’ for the probiotics,” says veterinarian Dr. Erica Irish. They support bacteria already living in your dog’s intestines. Probiotics add to the number of healthy microbes in a pet’s gut.”

While vets recommend a dosage between 1 and 10 billion CFUS, you should always consult your dog’s vet to receive the correct dosage that best suits their needs. Some of even the top probiotic supplements on the market fall outside this range, which is okay because different dogs benefit from different dosages.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best probiotic to give a dog?

Based on our thorough analysis and research of the best probiotics for dogs, we recommend Purina Fortiflora as our top option for pups.

What probiotics do vets recommend?

Vets recommend probiotics that offer dogs between 1 and 10 billion CFUs per dose. Our vet Dr. Irish chose Purina Fortiflora as her top pick, though several options exist on the market.

Is it okay for dogs to take probiotics everyday?

Yes! Healthy dogs can take daily probiotics supplements for digestive support. If your dog has recently taken a round of antibiotics, a probiotic can be especially beneficial to restore healthy gut flora.

Do pets need probiotics?

Your vet might prescribe a probiotic to your pup if they are experiencing gastrointestinal issues or other symptoms that may be helped with a probiotic. Pets can also benefit from adding a probiotic as a daily supplement and part of a healthy lifestyle. Always be sure to consult your vet before introducing new supplements to your furry friend.

Can I feed probiotic yogurt to my dog?

We don’t recommend it considering that a probiotic made for dogs is always a better choice. Many dogs are also lactose intolerant, so dairy could cause them to experience GI issues like vomiting and diarrhea.