Can I Give My Dog Human Probiotics?
Published October 25, 2022
It’s always great to have a loyal companion by your side. This is one of the reasons why many people choose to have pets, especially dogs. However, being a dog owner entails many responsibilities. Aside from regular pet check-ups, standard pet care protocol also involves giving them vitamins and supplements to keep them healthy at all times.
But giving supplements to our furry friends also comes with risks. As you know, not everything that’s good for humans will be good for your pets too. That’s why many dog owners find themselves asking, “can I give my dog human probiotics?“.
In general, you can give human probiotics to your dog. Most of the probiotic supplements available in the market today are also considered safe for dogs. However, these supplements only provide species-specific health benefits. This means that your dog won’t get the same probiotic benefits as you would. If you want your furry friend to get the full health benefits from a dose of good bacteria, you need to give them supplements specially formulated for dogs.
To fully understand how probiotics can benefit your dog, let’s first review our knowledge of probiotics.
What Are Probiotics?
Also known as the “good bacteria”, probiotics are living microorganisms that are beneficial for your health. If you didn’t know, our body is home to a population of harmful and beneficial bacteria which we collectively call our microbiome. Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria, help our body function normally by keeping the harmful bacteria in check. These healthy bacteria are naturally found within our bodies, particularly in our gut, and we are born with them. But we can also get them from foods and supplements.
However, this bacterial population is not exclusive to humans. Other animals like dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles, among others, also have their own microbiome. But the bacteria in dogs and cats are different from the type of bacteria found in humans. This is why giving your dog a probiotic supplement formulated for human consumption won’t give them the same benefit as it would you.
Remember that a probiotic supplement is basically a population of bacteria in capsule form. If it’s formulated for humans, then the bacteria inside it is a strain that’s native or beneficial to the human body. If you’ll give it to your dog, you’ll just be introducing a new strain of bacteria that’s not naturally found within their bodies. As a result, they may not work as intended.
There are, however, some probiotic strains that are beneficial for both dogs and humans. To be sure, ask your veterinarian if your dog can benefit from a certain probiotic supplement.
Are Probiotics Safe For Dogs?
As discussed above, probiotics are good bacteria. Moreover, probiotic chews are usually added to pet foods to help your dog have a better immune system, and help their body better fight against infection. In short, probiotics are safe for dogs in general. Some dogs may experience slight side effects like bloating and gas but they’re usually mild and are rarely life-threatening.
Prebiotics Vs. Probiotics
People are having a hard time distinguishing prebiotics from probiotics. As you know, probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live mainly in our guts. While prebiotics is a type of fiber that gives nourishment and nutrients to your gut bacteria. In short, prebiotics serves as the probiotics’ food. Thus, feeding your dog food that is rich in prebiotics helps the probiotics proliferate leading to increased effectiveness.
Do Our Pet Dogs Need Probiotics?
Yes, dogs need probiotics too. Just like humans, they have their own health needs and health issues that need to be addressed. But since dogs can’t really express how they feel, a simple stomach issue may cause them to become irritable and sensitive. It also affects their appetite which can lead to more health complications. If you don’t want your furry friend to go through this, you need to keep them healthy and free from illnesses.
Benefits Of Probiotics For Dogs
According to research, giving your dog a daily dose of probiotics is essential for their health and wellness. Some of the health benefits of probiotics for dogs are:
- a more robust immune system
- lesser risk of allergic infections
- shinier coat and fur
- healthier digestive system
- better gut microbiota
- reduced risk of urinary tract infections
Remember, however, that we’re only just beginning to understand how probiotics can benefit dogs. While initial research may have suggested those health benefits, more studies are needed to establish the effects and benefits of probiotics on our furry friends.
Types Of Probiotics For Dogs
There are many dog probiotics available in the market, and they come in different forms. Some come in pills. While others are available in solutions or powders. It is essential to ask a vet what specific probiotic a dog should intake, no matter what dog breeding they have.
Each supplement contains different kinds of probiotic strains, each with its own set of health benefits. So if you want your dog to get the most out of a probiotic supplement, make sure you choose a supplement specially formulated for your dog’s health needs. For instance, if your dog has diarrhea, a Bifidobacterium strain would be great. And if your dog needs to increase their absorption of vitamins and minerals, a Lactobacillus would be more appropriate.
Some of the most common types of probiotics that, according to studies, are suitable for dogs include:
Spore Forming Probiotics
As the name suggests, these probiotic strains are capable of forming spores. They create a type of hard shell coating that allows them to survive in a wide variety of environments. This helps them reach your dog’s GI tract intact making them ideal for fighting small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). They are also known as soil-based probiotics since they are usually found in soil and water.
Lactic Acid Probiotics
Most dog probiotics found in the market today are made from lactic acid produced by the Lactobacillus bacteria. These are the same type of bacteria found in milk. These strains are beneficial for your dog’s immune and digestive system.
Lactobacillus Plantarum, for instance, can help strengthen the GI tract of dogs suffering from IBS and reduce the risk of antibiotic-related diarrhea. Another strain, Lactobacillus acidophilus, not only helps boost canine immune health but also reduces the risk of clostridia.
Other lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains commonly added in dog probiotics are:
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lactobacillus casei
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Pediococcus acidilactici
- Bifidobacterium animalis
Probiotic Yeast
A probiotic yeast is a type of fungus that brings a number of health benefits. The most common example of this is saccharomyces boulardii which can be found in both humans and dogs. Aside from helping with acute and chronic diarrhea, S. boulardii can also be used to treat candida and other chronic canine inflammations.
Can A Dog Eat Foods With Probiotics?
Yogurt or kefir, and any other foods with probiotics can benefit your dog. However, since dogs are not meant to eat most of these foods, it is essential to control food servings to avoid digestive problems.
Additionally, yogurt contains lactose which can be troublesome for dogs.
Portions should be determined according to the dog size. Giving more than one teaspoon of yogurt to a small dog can cause gastrointestinal discomforts. Before giving human food to your dogs, even if probiotics are present, it is best to check the labels.
Can Puppies Take Probiotics?
Getting started with probiotics at an early age is excellent. Puppies can take probiotics so they can have a better immune system while still young. Moreover, puppies who take probiotics earlier are known to have reduced the chances of having digestive tract infections, diarrhea, and constipation.
How Often Do Dogs Need Probiotics?
Though studies show that dogs also need probiotics, the amount and frequency of probiotics supplementation may vary from one dog to another. Certain dogs require probiotics daily, while others only need it every other day. The way to determine how often they need probiotics is similar to how it is with humans. You can start by following the instructions in the supplementation. Do that for a month or two, then play around with the amount to see if you can get away with giving it daily or every other day.
You can identify if the dog is not okay with the supplementation amount if they show signs of discomfort or perhaps even pain. Put simply, there’s no answer to your question. It’ll require a bit of testing to find out.
What Time Of Day Should I Give My Dog Probiotics?
First thing in the morning is the perfect time of day to give your dog probiotics. That’s because the microbiota of a dog may resist the good bacteria provided by probiotics when their stomach is full of acids. If you give it in the morning while they have yet to eat anything, their gut system would offer no resistance to the good bacteria. As a result, they’ll absorb the supplement more easily.
Side Effects of Dog Probiotics
Probiotics are suitable for your dogs, and in most studies, there weren’t any adverse effects noted. However, some dogs may experience discomfort, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Such discomforts can affect how your dog behaves.
As a responsible pet owner, you have to check which probiotic supplement you are giving your dog. Book an appointment and ask your veterinarian about it.
Being a fur parent takes a lot of responsibility, and you must always put your dog’s health first. Adding probiotics to the diet of a healthy dog has a lot of benefits. Furthermore, it prevents GI discomforts and problems, and it boosts the dog’s immune system.
Dog probiotics should be carefully researched, especially their benefits, their possible contraindications, and side effects. Getting advice from your vet can help in administering probiotics with ease.
Being a fur-parent takes a lot of responsibility, and you must always put your dogs health first. Adding probiotics to the diet of a healthy dog has a lot of benefits. Furthermore, it prevents GI discomforts and problems, and it boosts the dog’s immune system.
Dog probiotics should be carefully researched, especially their benefits, their possible contraindications, and side effects. Getting advice from your vet can help in administering probiotics with ease.
Benefit From The Latest Advancements In Probiotic Science With Bionaze
Bionaze is a proprietary blend of probiotics proven to promote ear, nose, and throat health, improve digestion, and support your immune system. The active ingredients BLIS K12, and BL-04 are considered among the best probiotics according to science.
Get 25% Off Your First Order when you use BIO25 at checkout!
This Content Has Been Reviewed For Factual Accuracy
This content has undergone thorough fact-checking by our team of internal experts. Learn more about the meticulous editorial standard for our website here.
ADVERTISEMENT
About The Author
Lenard Arceo is an experienced writer who enjoys learning to code in his spare time. He has a fascination with health and nutrition and enjoys sharing his knowledge and research. He is proud of his commitment to communicating factual content that has helped his readers with life changing choices over the years.
