Whether your dog is currently suffering from poor digestive function or if you are just trying to be prepared for the future, investing in probiotic supplements can help to keep your beloved pet in good health. Diarrhoea, flatulence, bad breath, bloating, and itchy skin are distressing problems that can all be alleviated with probiotic supplements. They can even help with allergies!
However, the world of probiotics can be confusing, so we've broken it down for you. Our buying guide discusses how to pick an effective treatment as well as all the symptoms which can be treated. From tablets to pastes to powders to even treat sized supplements, there are plenty of options. We've also included a list of the 10 best probiotics for dogs in the UK, from popular brands like Purina and Buddy & Lola, all available from Amazon and Pets at Home.
Quick List - Top Probiotics for Dogs
Furever Friendz
Chicken-Flavoured Tablets With an Impressive 5 Strains of Probiotic Bacteria
Pet Naturals of Vermont
Daily Probiotics Hidden in Duck-Flavoured Bite-Sized Chews
Buddy & Lola
A Daily Prebiotic and Probiotic Powder to Support Digestive Health Long-Term
PURINA
One Sachet Daily for Treating Diarrhoea in Dogs and Puppies
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Table of Contents
Like humans, dogs have millions of bacteria living in their gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This 'microbiome' of bacteria supports digestion and the immune system and, when working correctly, protects the gut from any harmful pathogens that are ingested - we all know that dogs will eat virtually anything they find on the floor!
If the gut bacteria become unbalanced or disrupted, it enters a state known as dysbiosis. This can be caused by antibiotics, stress (such as that caused by moving house or staying in kennels), diet changes, scavenging decaying matter or faeces or an underlying digestive health issue. Probiotics are a great way to fix this imbalance.
These supplements contain carefully selected strains of beneficial bacteria that can survive the strong acidic conditions of the stomach. They boost the natural microbiome of the gut, allowing it to regain balance in favour of the 'good' bacteria. Probiotics can help clear up diarrhoea, soothe anal gland itch, reduce allergy sensitivities, lessen flatulence and ease bloating, among a host of other things.
Probiotics come in various forms, so you'll want to choose the type that suits your dog's attitude towards taking medication. Some dogs will eat pretty much anything you give them, but others need their medication to be concealed in something delicious! It's worth thinking about if you're dog is particularly fussy.
Probiotics can be administered either as a preventative or reactive treatment. If you prefer to take preventative measures, look for probiotics labelled as 'one-a-day' that say they can be used indefinitely to 'support gut health'. These will ensure you've got a little long-term 'insurance'.
On the other hand, probiotics can be administered as a short-term, intensive solution for treating a bout of diarrhoea or anal gland itch, for example. Remember, though, that if your dog's diarrhoea does not cease within 24 hours, take them straight to a vet, as it doesn't take long for dogs to become dangerously dehydrated.
Make sure you're also keeping on top of your dog's other regular preventative measures like dog wormers!
Different strains of probiotics have different properties and outcomes. Some supplements contain multiple bacteria strains, and some just contain a single type. If you're looking to treat a specific symptom, check the label carefully to see which bacteria strains are included. Here's a list of the most common dog-friendly probiotic bacteria to look out for.
If your dog has problems with its joints, check out our recommendations for dog joint supplements.
When shopping for probiotics, it's worth keeping an eye out for products that contain any other beneficial ingredients. For example, prebiotics are substances that encourage healthy bacteria to thrive. These are usually in the form of indigestible plant fibres, which resist the acid in the gut and instead 'feed' the good bacteria strains, meaning they are more likely to outcompete harmful bacteria.
Vitamins such as A, C and E can also be added to probiotic supplements, as during (and after) bouts of diarrhoea, your dog needs to replenish nutrients at a higher rate than usual. A separate multi-vitamin supplement could also be used instead if you'd prefer.
Kaolin clay is often found in high-strength, topical diarrhoea treatments as it binds to and neutralises harmful bacteria and viruses in the intestinal tract. It also firms up faeces, resulting in a swift recovery from diarrhoea episodes.
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of probiotics for dogs available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article’s chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Furever Friendz Canine Probiotics & Prebiotics for Digestive Health |120 tablets | ![]() | Chicken-Flavoured Tablets With an Impressive 5 Strains of Probiotic Bacteria | |
2 | Pet Naturals of Vermont Daily Probiotic Digestive Health Supplement|60 chews | ![]() | Daily Probiotics Hidden in Duck-Flavoured Bite-Sized Chews | |
3 | Buddy & Lola Probiotics For Dogs|150 g | ![]() | A Daily Prebiotic and Probiotic Powder to Support Digestive Health Long-Term | |
4 | PURINA Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements FortiFlora Probiotic|30 sachets | ![]() | One Sachet Daily for Treating Diarrhoea in Dogs and Puppies | |
5 | Avipro Plus Probiotic, Prebiotic and Electrolytes|100 g | ![]() | A Water-Soluble Probiotic Powder With Added Vitamins A, C and E | |
6 | iKARMEL Doggy Dailies Probiotics for Dogs|180 chews | ![]() | Organic Probiotic Daily Dog Chews Featuring Salmon Oil and Omega 3 | |
7 | Pro-Kolin Probiotic Paste For Cats And Dogs|30 ml | ![]() | An Intensive Two Day Probiotic Treatment Paste in a Syringe With a Beef Flavour | |
8 | Canikur Dog Probiotic and Prebiotic Pro Paste Syringe|60 ml | ![]() | A Meaty Flavoured Paste to Syringe Directly Into Your Dog’s Mouth | |
9 | YuDIGEST Probiotics with Sensitive Digestion All Ages and Breed Dogs|120 tablets | ![]() | Daily Tablets Containing Prebiotics and Probiotics to Firm Stools and Reduce Wind | |
10 | Protexin Veterinary Pro-Fibre for Dogs and Cats|500 g | ![]() | High-Fibre Probiotic Pellets for Dogs and Cats With Digestion Issues |
Our top choice is this impressive option from Furever Frendz. It contains 5 strains of gut-friendly bacteria packed into each tablet to assist with itchy skin, bad breath, bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea. It will take 4 - 6 weeks for the microbiome in the gut to rebalance and for the best results to be attained.
This probiotic is safe to administer to puppies, it’s gluten-free and free from soy, dairy, fillers and by-products - t also has added prebiotics and digestive enzymes. Reviewers rave about this chicken-flavoured UK-made product and its guaranteed level of 'good' bacteria in each tablet.
These duck flavoured treat-sized daily probiotics contain the patented GanedenBC30, an extremely stable form of Bacillus coagulans. It helps maintain balance within the digestive system, protects against disease and enhances overall wellness.
The digestive enzymes Amylase and Protease are also included to assist with digestion issues. These handy probiotics, which are free from wheat, gluten and any artificial ingredients, are unsurprisingly extremely popular with reviewers.
Containing prebiotics as well as the yeast-derived probiotic Mannanolig-osaccharides (or MOS for short), Buddy & Lola's daily powder provides long-term support for healthy digestive and immune health in all breeds and sizes.
The powder contains no wheat, corn or artificial ingredients, making it ideal for pets with sensitive stomachs or itchy skin. Made in the UK and with a 100 % satisfaction-or-your-money-back guarantee, you can see why this product is so popular with dog owners.
The beneficial Enterococcus Faecium bacteria added promotes normal intestinal microflora and helps reduce flatulence. Antioxidants are also included to support your dog's immune health.
This probiotic product is soluble, so it can be added to drinking water or sprinkled onto food. The dosing is also easy to follow - just add a pinch per kilogram of weight. Avipro Plus is suitable for puppies and dogs and can even be administered to cats, caged birds and garden wildlife.
Also included are prebiotics and vitamins A, C and E plus electrolytes to ensure optimum hydration and to replace the nutrients lost during times of stress. Using it as a long-term dietary supplement is also recommended.
These salmon-flavoured dog chews are made in the UK and contain five strains of probiotic bacteria to encourage a healthy gut and immune system. Salmon oil adds a palatable flavour and a dose of Omega 3 for improved skin and coat condition.
Depending on the size of your dog, 1 to 3 soft treats can be given daily to treat itchy skin and digestive issues. However, these treats do contain palm oil, which will likely put off the more eco-conscious dog owners out there.
Pro-Kolin is a fast-acting probiotic and prebiotic paste which can be used to support digestive disturbances. It has a popular artificial beef flavour, making it suitable even for pets with meat allergies.
Kaolin clay helps to firm up faeces, while the added pectin soothes the lining of the gut, and the probiotics and prebiotics help to repopulate the micro-organisms in the digestive system. The larger syringe can be tricky to administer, though, so you need to be careful.
This meaty paste can be eaten straight from the syringe, meaning you can see exactly how much they are ingesting. The yeast-derived probiotics are combined with prebiotic 'BioMos C', which is unique to Canikur Pro, and the clay component binds to toxins and viruses to speed up your dog's recovery.
This product needs to be administered twice daily, so it is more labour intensive than some other options in our top ten. But, if your dog loves the taste and views it as a treat, it won't be a problem at all!
This product contains over 200 million probiotic Enterococcus faecium bacteria per tablet, which helps boost your pet's internal population of healthy bacteria. They also include the prebiotics MOS, scFOS, and Beta Glucans to maintain the natural balance in the stomach.
YuDIGEST's unique complex of prebiotics and probiotic bacteria helps keep stools firm and reduce wind. Plus, the company offer a 60-day moneyback guarantee to all customers. Obviously, if you have a dog that struggles with taking tablets, it's probably best to go for another option.
No. 1: Furever Friendz|Canine Probiotics & Prebiotics for Digestive Health |120 tablets
No. 2: Pet Naturals of Vermont|Daily Probiotic Digestive Health Supplement|60 chews
No. 3: Buddy & Lola |Probiotics For Dogs|150 g
No. 4: PURINA |Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements FortiFlora Probiotic|30 sachets
No. 5: Avipro |Plus Probiotic, Prebiotic and Electrolytes|100 g
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