Just like us, our four-legged friends host a bustling community of bacteria and microorganisms in their gut, forming a unique environment known as the microbiome. This microscopic community plays a pivotal role in their health, influencing everything from digestion to immune function, and even mood. In this article, we'll give you a brief rundown of our top 6 probiotics that are particularly beneficial for dogs, and what to look for in a great gut health supplement.

Did you know that a dog's gut contains approximately 100 trillion bacteria? That's around 3 times more bacteria than cells in their body!

Probiotics

Probiotics are no longer just for humans—they're making waves in the world of dog health too. As we continue to uncover the profound impact of the gut microbiome on disease prevention, mental well-being, and longevity, it’s becoming clear that our canine companions can benefit just as much from these tiny powerhouses as we can. But remember, not all probiotic strains are created equal. Choosing the right one for your dog can make all the difference in supporting their overall health and vitality. Choose your supplements wisely, your pup will love you for it.

What makes a great gut health supplement

• Specificity: the incorporation of a combination of canine-appropriate probiotic strains
• Dosage: probiotic quantities of 2 billion or more CFUs daily for general gut health, and at least 5 billion CFUs to help with gut health issues
• Synergy: not relying solely on probiotics to do everything by themselves; look for the presence of prebiotics (not too much*), anti-inflammatory ingredients and gut-nourishing food compounds

Check out the ingredients list on VITAL DOG Advanced Gut Health probiotic , here.

Things to avoid

• Unknown quantities: be careful of brands that communicate the presence of probiotics, but not the overall amount (usually expressed in terms of "live probiotics" or "probiotic CFUs"). There may be a good reason why they don't divulge the amount (hint: there's not much in there)
• Proprietary formulas or special 'mixes': if the ingredients aren't stated clearly, give it a miss. Manufacturers can put cheap fillers into a 'blend', 'mix', 'formula, 'pack' or 'cocktail' and position it as being gut-friendly, when in fact, it might actually disrupt the gut further.
• Grains, legumes, sugar alcohols and sweeteners: if you see ingredients like wheat, corn, oats, soy, mung beans, molasses or glycerol, just be mindful that these ingredients have been associated with 'leaky gut' conditions, low-level inflammation and fermentative gas. Not what you're after.
• Too many cheap fibres: many soluble fibres are gut-friendly prebiotics that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, but using too much (usually to keep manufacturer costs down) can lead to excessive flatulence and softer, runnier stools in some dogs. Isn't that part of what we're trying to prevent?!

Probiotic strains for dogs

Evidence-based options that we prefer.

1. Lactobacillus rhamnosus

One of the more commonly-used probiotics for dogs, L. rhamnosus has a unique knack for adhering to the mucosal cells of the gut which means it is really effective at occupying the gut lining and crowding out the bad bacteria. What does this mean? It strengthens the walls of the colon, helps reduce populations of harmful bacteria, reduces gut inflammation and is helpful with overcoming diarrhoea. It is especially beneficial for dogs with chronic IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and those with low mood; the absence of this particular strain has been linked to anxiety, making it a great choice for your dog’s emotional well-being.

2. Lactobacillus plantarum

Another popular champion for dogs with ongoing gut inflammation and conditions like IBS or antibiotic-related diarrhoea. L. plantarum assists with supporting the lining of the gut and its integrity, reducing the likelihood of 'leaky gut' whereby food compounds that normally are unable to enter the bloodstream are able to do so, creating systemic inflammation and possibly, skin conditions. A distinctive feature of L. plantarum is its ability to synthesize lysine, an essential amino acid that contributes to the mucosal lining of the gut which helps to create a lubricating barrier between food and the tissues of the gut.

3. Bifidobacterium lactis

This hardworking bacteria is a bit of an all-rounder. It promotes healthy digestion and innate, essential vitamin synthesis by gut bacteria, which together support nutrient bioavailability for the body. It's also an ally for the immune system, helping to galvanise the gut barrier and stimulate the activity of immune cells like macrophages and dendritic cells, to help fight off infections in the presence of pathogens.

4. Bacillus coagulans

Perhaps a lesser-known probiotic that isn't as commonly used as those above, it really is a superhero among probiotics. It's actually considered spore-forming probiotic, meaning that it is more robust that most others, being able to withstand high heat conditions and acidic environments, like the stomach. This means that it's great at surviving the GI tract and colonising in the gut to support a healthy microbiome and reduce inflammation.

5. Lactobacillus paracasei

If you're chasing a probiotic strain to help with an inflammatory skin condition such as atopic dermatitis, whereby your dog's skin is itchy and inflamed, this probiotic should be strongly considered. This friendly bacteria helps to modulate the immune system, preventing it from 'overacting' to certain allergens and triggers, by balancing pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory messengers. It's also anti-microbial by way of competing for gut lining space, muscling out bad bacteria in a similar way to L. rhamnosus.

6. Saccharomyces boulardii

This beneficial probiotic is actually a yeast. It helps to combat both acute diarrhoea as well as stools that have been soft, watery and/or mucous-containing. Despite it being a yeast itself, S. boulardii actually prevents yeast overgrowth along with facilitating the reduction in bad bacteria, for the benefit of microbiome balance. It is often recommended by veterinarians to help support gut health during and after antibiotic treatment.

Digesting it all

Probiotics are, no doubt, a powerful ally for your dog's gut health, overall wellness and longevity. It can be difficult to navigate the various options that are available, which why we've not only created this overview, but also included purposeful probiotics in all VITAL DOG meal toppers. Be careful when navigating the growing number of options that are available and do your best to avoid ingredients like grains, sugars, sweeteners and excessive fibres that may actually aggravate gastrointestinal conditions. Long-term gut goodness awaits!