The best probiotics for dogs in the UK 2023

The attention you pay to your dog's health is fundamental to its well-being. Beyond a healthy diet, various preventive measures can be taken to keep your canine in good shape. This includes taking probiotics for dogs. Find the best products for your pet in this guide.

Régime vétérinaire Fortiflora Canine Purina 1
8/10

Best value for money

Régime vétérinaire Fortiflora Canine Purina

The best dog probiotic in 2021

An excellent food supplement rich in probiotics. Fortiflora Purina veterinary diet is suitable for dogs of all ages and offers an interesting quality/price ratio.

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In addition to being a dietary supplement, Purina's Fortiflora diet also acts as a fortifier for your dog's overall health. Available in sachets containing a powdered solution, it is easy to integrate into your pet's bowl. The package that is delivered to you serves you for one month, it is up to you to regulate it according to the advice of your veterinarian. With Fortiflora Purina, your dog will not leave any crumbs of his meal.

Probiotics for dogs Pet Friendly Supplies 2
8/10

Best value for money

Probiotics for dogs Pet Friendly Supplies

The best entry-level dog probiotic

Pet Friendly Supplies is a probiotic powder of British origin, developed under strict GMP guidelines, especially for the small budget dog.

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Its delicious taste with liver pellets will whet your dog's appetite and encourage him to finish his meal if you sprinkle it with the right amount. Pet Friendly Supplies Probiotic is contained in a powerful powdered solution. It has many benefits, both curative and preventative. It boosts your dog's immune system, especially after taking antibiotics. Find an effective and safe formula for the well-being of your canine.

Probiotiques Maxxidigest+ Maxxidog 3
9/10

Best premium value for money

Probiotiques Maxxidigest+ Maxxidog

The best premium dog probiotic

The Maxxidigest+ supplement offers a complete probiotic-prebiotic-enzyme formula for maximum effectiveness. It facilitates digestion and intestinal transit.

See price

Just like humans, the dog's diet has evolved towards products that are sometimes heavy to digest and not necessarily healthy. That's why Maxxidigest+ has developed this powerful advanced formula that will provide the best digestive, immune and hormonal health for your dog. Maxxidigest+ powder is equally effective for dogs recovering from serious illness or surgery.

Probiotic for dogs Best Paw Nutrition 4
8/10

Powerful probiotic

Probiotic for dogs Best Paw Nutrition

A human-grade probiotic for your dog

This is a quality standard supplement that all dogs should consume for a better balance of their digestive system.

See the price

Best Paw Nutrition tablets are composed of both enzymes and probiotics that provide the right digestive support for your dog. Having received the GMP and ISO 9001: 2008 standards, this supplement guarantees the standard quality of a human medicine, the dog being considered as a member of the family. The enzymes ensure rapid assimilation of digested food and convert it into nutrients that the body can easily absorb.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best probiotic for dogs

Any specific needs?

The best dog probiotic in 2021

The best entry-level dog probiotic

The best premium dog probiotic

A human-grade probiotic for your dog

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best probiotics for dogs

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Régime vétérinaire Fortiflora Canine Purina 5
8/10
Probiotics for dogs Pet Friendly Supplies 6
8/10
Probiotiques Maxxidigest+ Maxxidog 7
9/10
Probiotic for dogs Best Paw Nutrition 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Régime vétérinaire Fortiflora Canine Purina
Probiotics for dogs Pet Friendly Supplies
Probiotiques Maxxidigest+ Maxxidog
Probiotic for dogs Best Paw Nutrition
An excellent food supplement rich in probiotics. Fortiflora Purina veterinary diet is suitable for dogs of all ages and offers an interesting quality/price ratio.
Pet Friendly Supplies is a probiotic powder of British origin, developed under strict GMP guidelines, especially for the small budget dog.
The Maxxidigest+ supplement offers a complete probiotic-prebiotic-enzyme formula for maximum effectiveness. It facilitates digestion and intestinal transit.
This is a quality standard supplement that all dogs should consume for a better balance of their digestive system.
Form
Powder
Powder
Powder
Tablets
Action on intestinal flora
Taste
Other interventions
Immune system strengthener
Soothes itchingStrengthens the immune system
Works on the immune and hormonal system
Works on the immune system
Product weight
0.1 lb.
50 g
435 g
140 g

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Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - probiotic for dogs

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How to choose your probiotic for dogs

In order for the probiotic to be an effective treatment and not represent any risk for your dog, the following information must be taken into account.

#1 - The brand

As with any product you would like to purchase on the market, the brand name is of utmost importance. Often, reputable names are a sign of quality and effectiveness on the products they provide. So, if you are going to subject your beloved pet to a probiotic, be aware of the recommended brands on this kind of food supplement. In relation to this idea of brand name, you should know that the bacteria used in the probiotic should not be antibiotic resistant and should have the property of clinging to the intestines to do their effect on the animal's body well. The more branded the product, the more certain the investment in research.

#2 - The strains contained

The digestive mechanism of animals is not totally similar to that of humans. Therefore, it is obvious that the probiotic prescribed to a dog is specific to the treatment of its organism. The strains are the determining properties of the animal probiotic. The best known are Lactobacillus acidophilus casei (prevents the multiplication of undesirable bacteria and increases resistance to foreign microorganisms), Enterococcus faecium (promotes digestion) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (fights diarrhea). Normally, about ten strains in the probiotic is the maximum amount recommended: too many strains in the probiotic make preservation difficult.

#3 - The UFC (Unité Formant Colonie)

This is simply the unit that counts the live bacteria present in the probiotic. To be effective on the dog, the daily CFU must reach 1 to 5 billion viable bacteria. A lower quantity is therefore useless. This recommended dose can be ingested in several doses during the day. Some brands offer containers with hundreds of millions of bacteria, a grandiose number if you think at first glance, but largely insufficient to produce the desired effect on the dog's body. Also beware of a number that exceeds 5 billion bacteria, it would cause new imbalances on your pet.

Nutritional contribution

Probiotics have the ability to compensate for nutritional deficiencies: they participate in the production of group B vitamins. Be careful, the dose of probiotic is important because if it is high it will have no beneficial effect on your dog's intestinal mechanism.

#4 - Conservation

Normally

, probiotics are active at temperatures above 20 degrees. It is then ideal to keep their container at a temperature well below 20 degrees, to allow them to keep their effectiveness once integrated in the animal's digestive tract. In this perspective, you should prefer probiotics in dry form, which is easier to preserve. Also keep in mind that the CFU in the liquid form is quite high.

#5 - The condition of your pet

If your pet is a victim of frequent gastrointestinal disorders, probiotics could be an alternative that would help him overcome his ailments, while improving the health of his immune system and acting favorably on his stress. However, you need to detect if the disorders do not have another pathological origin, i.e. an organ dysfunction, a virus, a bacterium or a poisoning. To be sure, the best resolution is to consult a veterinarian, who will be able to guide you on which probiotic to take (or not) after having properly diagnosed your beloved doggie.

When should you give your dog a probiotic?

The best probiotics for dogs 9

If you notice that your dog is not behaving as usual, he is suffering from some kind of ailment. If your dog is vomiting or showing other symptoms of digestive problems (diarrhea or constipation), don't delay going to your veterinarian. Most often, your veterinarian will prescribe probiotics in the following cases.

  • Tohelp digestion: a well-balanced intestinal flora has a positive influence on the rest of the dog's organs and immune system.
  • Rebalance after medical treatment: especially if your dog has taken antibiotics over a period of time, the probiotic will rebalance his body.
  • Stress management: yes, certain contexts sometimes make your dog frustrated and out of control. The stress then has an unfortunate effect on his immune and digestive systems. To calm him down, you can offer him a preventive probiotic.
  • Complement on the treatment of a skin condition: from time to time, this condition is linked to intestinal disorders. Whatever its origins, the probiotic reinforces the effectiveness of the treatment of the condition.

Practical recommendation

Having a dog implies a commitment to protect and care for it like a child. Dog health insurance is an option you may want to consider, to help you manage the costs you owe the veterinarian in case of illness or accident.

The different types of probiotics for dogs

Depending on your dog's ability to ingest, you can use these few types of probiotics.

The capsule

The most common form of probiotics for dogs is the capsule. The normal intake consists of introducing the capsule in your pet's meal. The instructions always accompany the device, but to be sure, consult your veterinarian to find out the dose to take. Also, be sure to respect the duration of the treatment so as not to end up with a deficiency or excess.

The powder solution

Sometimes

your dog is smart enough to detect the little intruder in his bowl, so he becomes more reluctant to the treatment. If this is the case, opt instead for the probiotic powder solution, which is easy to sprinkle and less visible at first sight. For this case again, respect the dose for a good effectiveness of the intake.

The chewing paste

Easy

to chew like a soft candy, the probiotic in chewable paste is more discreet in the mouth if you add it to your doggie's meal. Find out what doses to prescribe from your vet.

The injection

If

your dog is really more reserved about absorbing different medications, the shot remains a possible and more relevant alternative. In this case, it is preferable that your veterinarian take care of it, so as not to be mistaken about the dose and the injection to be given to the dog, unless of course you feel you have the right skills.

Kibbles and probiotics

Sometimes you will see dog food where it is mentioned that probiotics are present: this can raise doubts, just in terms of cooking (at high temperature) and shelf life.

Probiotic or activated vegetable charcoal?

Probiotic

A probiotic for dogs is not a medicine with a curative purpose, but rather a preventive food supplement. However, intestinal disorders (vomiting, diarrhea, constipation) may be treated instantly by taking a probiotic.

The main effect of probiotics is to rebalance the dog's intestinal flora. Subsequently, probiotics have become a treatment that improves the animal's general health by strengthening its immune system, promoting the proper functioning of its organs and even acting on stress management.

Active vegetable carbon

Activated vegetable charcoal is a natural detoxifier with an absolutely remarkable absorption capacity. As a result, it is used as a preventive or curative measure against bloating, stomach aches, diarrhea, heartburn, gastric reflux and even bad breath in dogs.

If your dog is prone to frequent flatulence, activated charcoal is the quickest solution: it captures gas and other unwanted disturbances in no time. In addition, the absorbent nature of charcoal can cancel out the effects of any medication or dietary supplement, unless it is taken outside of meals.

Verdict

Before deciding on what to give your dog, take the time to consult your veterinarian: he will be able to determine and reveal to you with complete confidence the origins of the ailments affecting your dog, and thus prescribe effective treatments to be provided. However, remember that probiotics are a food supplement, not a drug like activated charcoal.

Why buy a probiotic for dogs?

Helps relieve digestive problems

When your pet is ill or feeling stressed, the balance between healthy and pathogenic microbes in his gut can be upset. This can lead to problems such as diarrhea, gas, cramps and bad breath. Probiotics have been shown to reduce the duration of diarrhea in dogs by seven to four days.

Reduces the side effects of antibiotics

Antibiotics do not distinguish between good and bad bacteria. And while antibiotics are effective in fighting infections, they can also cause diarrhea or other gastrointestinal side effects in your dog. If you know in advance that your dog will be taking antibiotics, you may be able to avoid unpleasant side effects by introducing your dog to probiotics a few days in advance and continuing them beyond the duration of the antibiotic treatment.

Keeping healthy and feeling good

Older dogs are much more susceptible to a weakened immune system. And since nearly 70% of immune cells are found in the gut, promoting the growth of healthy or "good" bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract is a good way to boost immunity. Your dog's gut flora is very important to his overall health and well-being and can be the key to a long and happy life.

Reduces skin allergy symptoms

Allergies are on the rise in both humans and dogs. Researchers have attributed this, in part, to an imbalance of bacteria in the gut. Because the gut and immune health are so closely linked, giving your dog probiotics can reduce skin allergy symptoms.

Minimizes tummy aches due to food changes

If your dog has been eating the same food for a long time and you make a change, I can almost guarantee that your four-legged friend will experience gastrointestinal distress as a result. Prepare your dog's gut with probiotics to level the playing field against "good" and "bad" bacteria before switching to a different food.

Tips

A regular cure

In agreement with your veterinarian, you can regularly administer probiotics to your dog to give him the best form. It's like taking vitamins yourself over a period of time to replenish.

As a preventive measure

Don

't wait until your dog is sick to give him probiotics. The probiotic is supposed to support his natural defenses and have a lubricating effect on his digestive system to improve its function.

Homemade Probiotic

If

you can get the ingredients, you can make a probiotic solution yourself with fermented milk (cow, goat or sheep) mixed with kefir grains. The mixture is to be fermented for 2 to 3 days, and the dose is given according to the vet's advice.

Probiotic-prebiotic effectiveness

The

probiotic is significantly more active if combined with the prebiotic. Although these two names differ only by one vowel, their role is totally different: indeed, the probiotic is the bacteria itself, the prebiotic is the fiber that will feed the probiotic and promote its development.

Specific probiotic

The

dog does not take the same probiotics as you do. Specific bacteria must be contained in the probiotic solution for dogs to have the desired effect. So, remember to read the labels to check if these bacteria are present in the food supplement.

FAQ

What is the best probiotic for dogs?

The best probiotic for dogs depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find the best products available.

How do I know my dog needs probiotics?

He doesn't have to be sick, on the contrary. Remember also to give him quality food, the probiotic supplement will be even more effective this way.

How does the probiotic stimulate the dog's immune system?

It identifies pathogens and triggers the appropriate immune response.

How often should a dog take probiotics?

Occasionally, depending on the dose prescribed by your veterinarian. Indeed, the intestinal flora has its own natural regeneration mechanism, the probiotic only supports the process.

What other benefits does taking probiotics bring?

It also prevents diabetes and obesity in dogs.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , vetostore.com
  2. , caniprof.com
  3. , zoomalia.com
  4. , cogiito.com
  5. , ultima-affinity.com
  6. , cliniqueveterinaireheliovet.com
  7. , hectorkitchen.com
  8. , dogsnaturallymagazine.com
  9. , petlifetoday.com
  10. , akc.org
  11. , woopets.fr
  12. , hectorkitchen.com
  13. , avisdechien.fr
  14. , planeteanimal.com
  15. , animobouffe.com
  16. , lacompagniedesanimaux.com
  17. , amazon.co.uk
  18. , refuge-bellegarde.fr
  19. , amazon.co.uk
  20. , vetostore.com
  21. , blog.bouvier-suisse.com
  22. , caniprof.com
  23. , blog.ultrapremiumdirect.com
  24. , blog.direct-vet.fr
  25. , chien.ooreka.fr
  26. , wamiz.com
  27. , zoomalia.com
  28. , zoomalia.com
  29. , mondou.com
  30. , soignezvotreanimalaunaturel.com
  31. , novaprobiotics.com
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Régime vétérinaire Fortiflora Canine Purina 10
Régime vétérinaire Fortiflora Canine Purina
Probiotics for dogs Pet Friendly Supplies 11
Probiotics for dogs Pet Friendly Supplies
Probiotiques Maxxidigest+ Maxxidog 12
Probiotiques Maxxidigest+ Maxxidog
Probiotic for dogs Best Paw Nutrition 13
Probiotic for dogs Best Paw Nutrition

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