Signs Your Dog Needs Prebiotics Or Probiotics

A healthy microbiome (made up of your gut and the microbiota that grow there) is the foundation of general good health for all species—dogs included. And the great news is, it’s easy to improve your pup’s microbiome by supplementing their diet with prebiotics and probiotics.  Prebiotics consist of fiber to feed the good bacteria and enhance healthy gut bacteria populations, while probiotics are the living bacteria themselves. Some products include pre- and probiotics in a single supplement, making it easy to give both in one go.If you’re wondering if your dog needs prebiotics or probiotics, here are ten reasons why you might want to consider them:

1. Supporting Your Dog’s Everyday Digestion

If your dog suffers from conditions affecting their digestive tract, it’s crucial to support their microbiome. Research shows probiotics can lead to a general improvement in stool quality in most dogs[1]. Owners and veterinarians also anecdotally report pre- and probiotics helping dogs with a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, from flatulence to pancreatitis. 

In mild cases of diarrhea, for example, your veterinarian will likely recommend starting probiotics, because intestinal inflammation could create an environment more prone to an imbalance of good and bad bacteria. Probiotics can help rejuvenate the colonies of beneficial bacteria and help your dog recover quicker[2,3]. 

2. Supporting Their Gut Health During Treatment

Recent evidence suggests that probiotics might also provide some extra support for dogs undergoing treatment for more severe gut diseases. Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome and parvovirus are both examples of potentially life-threatening conditions where probiotics have improved patient outcomes when used with other therapies[2,4].

Just remember to always check a pre- or probiotic product isn’t oil-based if your pet is on a low-fat diet.

3. Supporting Your Dog’s Skin

While the link between skin and gut health isn’t fully understood yet, we know that bacteria colonies live on the skin in a similar way to those living in the intestines. The ‘good’ bacteria in our body play an important role in training our immune system to form a defense against the invasion of ‘bad’ bacteria into our blood system, and keeping inflammation at bay[5]. As such, pre- and probiotics may help support your dog’s healthy skin. Probiotics in particular have been found to support reduction of inflammation[6]. 

Some foods can trigger skin reactions in dogs with food allergies. So, for dogs prone to skin inflammation, supporting the immune system through probiotic supplements also makes sense. If your dog has a known food allergy, always check the list of ingredients for any potential allergic triggers.

4. Your Dog Can’t Keep Weight On

If your dog is underweight, there might be several causes. Calorie deficits are common in young, healthy working dogs. However, in older, more sedentary dogs, your veterinarian may want to check for underlying medical conditions. Causes of low body weight include poor absorption of nutrients (malabsorptive conditions), genes, stress, diabetes, and cancer, to name a few. Regardless of the cause, giving probiotics to support your dog’s digestive function and immune system may be helpful. But always get a health check from a veterinarian if you are worried about your dog’s weight.

5. Your Dog Loves To Scavenge

For dogs that are partial to a rummage in the undergrowth, it’s hard to control what unexpected (and sometimes disgusting) challenges their gut might face. Rotten foods, soil, and dirty water might contain harmful bacteria (such as clostridium species) that can cause serious tummy troubles—and probiotics are great for recalibrating the microbiome. 

6. Your Dog Is Prone To Stress And Anxiety

The link between probiotics and stress, or low mood, is a fascinating and relatively new area of research. A correlation between gut dysbiosis (a disrupted microbiome) and depressive disorders has been shown in people[7], and although research in dogs is in its infancy, a similar link exists[8]. 

One study found that breeding dogs treated with probiotics had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their stools[9], supporting the theory that probiotics can reduce stress and anxiety. Scientists have even identified specific bacterial populations in dog feces linked to aggression and phobic behaviors, which suggests that manipulating the microbiome might be helpful to these dogs too[10].

7. Your Dog Seems Low On Energy

Lethargy is a symptom of a vast range of conditions, and you should get any sudden changes in your dog’s energy levels checked out by your veterinarian. However, if your dog is otherwise healthy and just a little lackluster, it might be time to take a look at their lifestyle. Adding pre- and probiotics to your dog’s diet is a simple step to improve their general health—and particularly their weight regulation—reducing general stress and improving digestion and nutrient intake.

8. Your Dog Is On Antibiotics Or Other Drugs

It stands to reason that if antibiotics strip the intestines of harmful bacteria, they’re also likely to affect the good bacteria. This can lead to increased yeast infections, skin issues, and loose stools. So, if your dog is prescribed a course of antibiotics, ask your veterinarian about probiotics. 

When it comes to gastrointestinal disease, veterinary medicine is generally moving away from antibiotic treatment[11] unless your dog is showing signs of infection or inflammation—such as dogs at risk of sepsis. Other drugs, such as omeprazole, can also lower the pH of the stomach and affect the bacterial colonies in the small intestines.

9. Supporting Your Dog’s Immune System

The gut microbiome is closely linked to the immune system. It’s been shown that increased immune proteins are passed in the stools of dogs being given probiotics, alongside reduced stress hormones[1,9]. In humans, gut dysbiosis is linked with many medical conditions, including diabetes and asthma[12,13]. Probiotics are a simple way to support your dog’s immune system in their gut and potentially across all their body systems.

10. You Have A Healthy Dog

If your dog has a clean bill of health, you might have ruled out giving them probiotics. But, as with all areas of medicine, prevention is better than cure, and research is continually unearthing more information about the protective properties of the microbiome. 

In a time where allergies, skin disease, intestinal issues, obesity, and stress are on the rise, it makes sense to be proactive in maintaining your dog’s health for as long as possible. Pre- and probiotics could build the foundation for your dog to stay in the best possible condition for many years to come.

FAQs

Do Dogs Need Both Prebiotics And Probiotics? 

Probiotics are living bacteria that help promote a healthy gut microbiome, and prebiotics usually consist of fiber that feeds and supports these healthy bacteria. Products that contain both pre- and probiotics will increase the chances of maintaining a healthy microbiome in your dog’s gut.

Can I Give Probiotics To My Dog Every Day?

Yes, probiotics are generally recommended to be given daily over a sustained period. In fact, they’re safe to give to most dogs for their entire lives. If you’re unsure about giving your pet probiotics, ask your veterinarian for guidance.

Can I Give My Dog Probiotics If They’re On Antibiotics?

If your dog is receiving treatment from a veterinarian, any supplementary therapies should be discussed with them first. In most cases, it’s safe to give probiotics alongside antibiotics, and after the completion of the course. Probiotics will not make antibiotics any less effective. However, you should give your dog the antibiotics first, then leave two hours before you give the probiotics, to make sure the latter have the best chance of being effective.