Digest on This: The Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs

Ensuring the health and well-being of our furry family members is a top priority for all dog owners. One increasingly popular way to support your dog's health is through the use of dog probiotics. These beneficial bacteria can have a significant impact on various aspects of your dog's health, from digestive support to immune system enhancement. This article will delve into the numerous benefits of dog probiotics, the science behind their effectiveness, and how to incorporate them into your dog's daily routine.

 

UNDERSTANDING DOG PROBIOTICS

What Are Dog Probiotics?

Dog probiotics are the same as human probiotics (although humans and dogs may benefit from different strains of probiotics – more on that below).

Probiotics are live microorganisms, primarily bacteria, that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. For dogs, these beneficial bacteria can help balance the gut microbiome, which is essential for overall health. The gut microbiome is a complex community of microorganisms that reside in the digestive tract, playing a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function.

 

How Do Dog Probiotics Work?

All probiotics, including dog probiotics, work by populating the gut with beneficial bacteria, which can outcompete harmful bacteria and support a balanced microbiome. This balance is crucial for preventing and managing various health issues. Dog probiotics can enhance the gut barrier function, reduce inflammation, and modulate the immune system, leading to improved health outcomes.

 

BENEFITS OF DOG PROBIOTICS

Improved Digestive Health

One of the most well-known benefits of dog probiotics is their positive impact on digestive health. Dog probiotics can help alleviate common gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea, constipation, and bloating. By promoting a healthy balance of gut bacteria, probiotics improve digestion and nutrient absorption.

Diarrhoea Management

Dog probiotics are particularly effective in managing acute and chronic diarrhoea. They can shorten the duration of diarrhea and reduce its severity by restoring the balance of good bacteria in the gut. This is especially beneficial for dogs undergoing antibiotic treatment, which can disrupt the gut microbiome and lead to antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Enhanced Nutrient Absorption

A healthy gut microbiome ensures that your dog effectively absorbs nutrients from their food. Dog probiotics aid in breaking down food particles and facilitating the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. This leads to better overall health and can improve energy levels, coat quality, and weight management.

Strengthened Immune System

The gut is home to a significant portion of the immune system, and a balanced gut microbiome is essential for robust immune function. Dog probiotics can help enhance the immune response, making dogs less susceptible to infections and illnesses. 

Immune Modulation

Dog probiotics modulate the immune system by promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This helps maintain a balanced immune response, preventing overreactions that can lead to allergies and autoimmune disorders.

Enhanced Vaccination Response

Studies have shown that probiotics can enhance the effectiveness of vaccinations by boosting the immune response. This means that dogs given probiotics may develop stronger immunity from vaccines, providing better protection against diseases.

Allergy Relief

Dog probiotics can play a role in managing and alleviating allergies in dogs. Allergies often stem from an overactive immune response, and probiotics can help regulate this response by promoting a balanced immune system. 

Skin Health Improvement

Dogs with skin allergies or atopic dermatitis can benefit from probiotics. By reducing inflammation and supporting the immune system, dog probiotics can help alleviate symptoms such as itching, redness, and irritation. This leads to healthier skin and a shinier coat.

Reduction in Antibiotic Side Effects

Antibiotics, while essential for treating bacterial infections, can disrupt the gut microbiome and lead to side effects like diarrhea and yeast infections. Dog probiotics can help mitigate these side effects by replenishing beneficial bacteria and restoring balance in the gut.

Prevention of Yeast Overgrowth

Dog probiotics can prevent the overgrowth of yeast in the gut, which can occur after antibiotic treatment. This is particularly important for preventing conditions such as yeast infections, which can cause discomfort and further health complications.

Behavioural and Mental Health

Emerging research suggests that the gut-brain axis plays a significant role in regulating behaviour and mental health. Dog probiotics can influence this connection by promoting a healthy gut microbiome, which in turn supports cognitive function and emotional well-being.

Anxiety and Stress Reduction

Dog probiotics may help reduce anxiety and stress in dogs by producing neurotransmitters such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in mood regulation and can help calm anxious dogs.

Improved Cognitive Function

Dog probiotics can also support cognitive function in aging dogs. By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, probiotics may help maintain mental sharpness and slow the progression of cognitive decline.

 

THE ROLE OF PREBIOTICS IN DOG HEALTH

What Are Dog Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are non-digestible fibres that serve as food for beneficial bacteria in the gut. They help stimulate the growth and activity of probiotics, enhancing their effectiveness. Prebiotics are found in various foods, such as chicory root, garlic, and bananas, and can also be included in supplements.

Benefits of Dog Prebiotics

Enhanced Probiotic Effectiveness

Prebiotics provide the necessary nutrients for probiotics to thrive, ensuring that the beneficial bacteria can colonize the gut effectively. This synergistic relationship between prebiotics and probiotics leads to a more balanced and healthier gut microbiome.

Improved Gut Health

Prebiotics promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, which can outcompete harmful bacteria and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal issues. This leads to improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and better overall gut health.

Immune Support

Prebiotics can enhance immune function by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that play a role in modulating the immune system. This leads to a stronger and more balanced immune response, reducing the risk of infections and autoimmune disorders.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROBIOTIC FOR YOUR DOG

Factors to Consider

When selecting a dog probiotic, it's important to consider several factors to ensure you choose a high-quality product that meets your dog's needs. 

Strain Specificity

Different strains of probiotics offer different health benefits. Look for products that contain specific strains known to support canine health, such as Bacillus coagulans (also known as lactobacillus sporogenes) Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, and Enterococcus faecium. 

CFU Count

The colony-forming unit (CFU) count indicates the number of viable probiotic bacteria in a product. Higher CFU counts generally provide more potent benefits. However, it's important to choose a product with an appropriate CFU count for your dog's size and health needs.

Quality and Purity

Choose dog probiotics from reputable manufacturers that adhere to high-quality standards. Look for products that are free from fillers, artificial additives, and harmful preservatives. Third-party testing can provide additional assurance of a product's quality and purity.

Consulting Your Veterinarian

Before starting your dog on a probiotic regimen, consult your veterinarian. They can provide guidance on the best probiotic strains and products for your dog's specific health needs. Your vet can also monitor your dog's response to probiotics and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan.

HOW TO INCORPORATE PROBIOTICS & PREBIOTICS INTO YOUR DOG'S ROUTINE

Dietary Sources of Dog Probiotics

In addition to supplements, you can also incorporate natural sources of probiotics into your dog's diet. Foods such as yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables contain beneficial bacteria that can support gut health. It's important to choose dog-safe options and avoid products with added sugars or artificial ingredients. Also note that it can be difficult for your dog to obtain enough probiotics through its diet from these foods.  As such, supplementation is usually the preferred method.

Dietary sources of Dog Prebiotics

Unlike dog probiotics, dog prebiotics are easier to obtain in sufficient quantities through your dog’s diet.  Dog prebiotics are found in foods that contain high level of soluble fibre such as pumpkin, beet pulp, lentils, beans, chickpeas, flaxseed, raw oats, Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes), sweet potato.

Dog Probiotic & Dog Prebiotic Supplements

Supplementation is a much easier way to ensure your dog gets enough probiotics. Dog probiotic supplements come in various forms, including powders, capsules, and chews. Select the form that best suits your dog's preferences and your lifestyle.

Probiotic powders & probiotic chews for dogs are a particularly convenient and tasty way to provide your dog with the benefits of probiotics. These powders and chews are formulated with beneficial bacteria and often include prebiotics to enhance their effectiveness. They are designed to be palatable, making it easy to incorporate them into your dog's daily routine.

Dog Probiotics in Marlo

Marlo is a Complete All-In-One Nutritional Supplement for dogs, in the form of a daily meal topper powder.  One of our most potent ingredients is our dog probiotic.  Each serve contains 1 Billion CFU of what we consider to be the best dog probiotic strain out there – Bacillus coagulans.

We use a premium, human grade Bacillus coagulans which, unlike other probiotics, is a spore and not a bacteria.  This is important because it means that Bacillus coagulans can function as both a probiotic AND a prebiotic.  It does everything the other strains do and more, because it increases the amount of other healthy strains of probiotic in the gut – talk about potent!

Benefits of Probiotic Powders and Probiotic Chews for Dogs

Ease of Administration

Probiotic powders and probiotic chews are an easy and stress-free way to give your dog probiotics. Unlike pills, which can be difficult to administer, powders and chews are typically well-accepted by dogs. This makes it simpler to ensure your dog receives their daily dose of probiotics.

Marlo has been scientifically formulated to include the ideal amount of probiotic for your dog in each serve, so you can take the guesswork out.

Combined Benefits

Many probiotic powders and probiotic chews also contain additional beneficial ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics. This provides a comprehensive approach to supporting your dog's health, combining the benefits of probiotics with other essential nutrients.

As you know, Marlo is a Complete All-In-One Nutritional Supplement for dogs, which targets all areas of dog health.   In relation to gut health, we’ve further beefed up Marlo with some other prebiotics, including flaxseed and chickpea flour. 

Enhanced Palatability

Probiotic powders and probiotic chews are designed to be tasty, making them a treat that dogs look forward to. This enhances compliance and ensures that your dog consistently receives the health benefits of probiotics.

Marlo has been taste tested on the fussiest of eaters, and we’ve found that over 95% of our furry friends love the taste!

Monitoring Your Dog's Health

After introducing probiotics to your dog's routine, monitor their health and behaviour closely. Look for improvements in digestion, coat quality, energy levels, and overall well-being. If you notice any adverse effects or if your dog's condition does not improve, consult your veterinarian for further guidance.

When starting with Marlo, we recommend using a half dose for the first couple of days.  Check our website for some other fun ideas on how to incorporate Marlo into your dog’s daily routine!

 

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SUPPORTING PROBIOTICS FOR DOGS

Clinical Studies and Findings

Scientific research has provided substantial evidence supporting the benefits of probiotics for dogs. Various clinical studies have demonstrated the positive effects of probiotics on canine health, particularly in areas such as digestive health, immune function, and allergy management.  We summarise these studies below, but check out the “Science” section of our website for clinical studies for dog probiotics and each of our other powerhouse ingredients!

Digestive Health Studies

Multiple studies have shown that probiotics can significantly improve gastrointestinal health in dogs. For example, a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that dogs with acute diarrhea experienced a reduction in symptoms and faster recovery when given probiotics compared to a placebo group. Another study in the American Journal of Veterinary Research reported that probiotics effectively managed chronic gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), by reducing inflammation and supporting gut health.

Immune Function Research

Research has also highlighted the immune-boosting properties of probiotics. A study in the Journal of Applied Microbiology revealed that dogs given probiotics exhibited enhanced immune responses, including increased production of antibodies and improved white blood cell activity. This supports the idea that probiotics can help protect dogs from infections and diseases by strengthening their immune system.

Allergy and Skin Health

Probiotics have been shown to benefit dogs with allergies and skin conditions. A study in Veterinary Dermatology reported that dogs with atopic dermatitis showed significant improvement in skin health and reduced itching after receiving probiotic supplementation. This suggests that probiotics can help manage allergic reactions by modulating the immune system and reducing inflammation.

The Gut-Brain Axis and Behavioural Health

The emerging field of research on the gut-brain axis has uncovered fascinating connections between gut health and mental well-being. Studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiome influences the production of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and GABA, which play a crucial role in mood regulation. By promoting a healthy gut microbiome, probiotics may help alleviate anxiety and stress in dogs.

Anxiety and Stress Reduction

A study published in the journal Animal Microbiome found that dogs receiving probiotics exhibited reduced signs of anxiety and stress, including less frequent barking and destructive behaviour. This supports the idea that probiotics can positively impact behavioural health by promoting a balanced gut microbiome and enhancing neurotransmitter production.

Cognitive Function in Aging Dogs

Probiotics may also support cognitive function in aging dogs. Research published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that elderly dogs given probiotics showed improved cognitive performance and reduced signs of cognitive decline. This suggests that probiotics can help maintain mental sharpness and quality of life in senior dogs.

 

CONCLUSION

The benefits of probiotics for dogs are extensive and well-supported by scientific research. Whether you're looking to improve your dog's digestion, boost their immune system, alleviate allergies or support their mental health, probiotics can be a valuable addition to their healthcare routine. Dog probiotic supplements such as probiotic powders and probiotic chews for dogs provide a convenient and palatable way to deliver these beneficial bacteria, making it easy to support your dog's health. When choosing probiotics for your dog, consider factors such as strain specificity, CFU count, and product quality.

Marlo takes the guesswork out with its All-In-One Complete Nutritional Supplement for dogs.  Not only does it contain a premium, human grade probiotic, it also incorporates prebiotics and other powerhouse ingredients to deliver 10 benefits in one daily scoop.