Probiotic supplements are supplements that contain beneficial bacteria. These supplements increase the population of good bacteria that exists in the intestinal tract in pets. The beneficial bacteria contained in probiotic supplements inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and help keep your pet healthy.
These supplements also improve your pet’s digestion and prevent intestinal disorders that are caused by poor digestion.
Probiotic Supplements for Dogs
Probiotic supplements are also known as Direct Fed Microorganisms or DFM. They comprise of living organisms. Beneficial bacteria exist naturally in the digestive tract of healthy dogs but older dogs, stressed dogs or dogs fed a poor diet, can suffer from a deficiency of these beneficial bacteria. This is turn leads to various health problems.
The administration of probiotic supplements can help overcome this deficiency. The supplements can be administered orally and prove beneficial on the intestinal flora as they control the proliferation of pathogenic or disease-causing bacteria.
Symptoms of Probiotic Imbalance in Dogs
Dog probiotic imbalance symptoms include:
- Constipation
- Flatulence
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Diarrhea
- Dull coat
- Weakened immune system
-
Lethargy
Causes of Probiotic Imbalance in Dogs
The use of medications such as antibiotics and antifungals kill beneficial bacteria together with the pathogenic bacteria present in an ill pet. Age, poor diet, and the ingestion of toxins such as fertilizers or pesticides are other factors that lead to probiotic imbalance in dogs.
Benefits of Probiotic Supplements
Some of the probiotic supplements benefits for dogs are:
- They provide energy to your pet and help him to digest his food better
- They prevent the proliferation of disease-causing bacteria in your pet’s large intestine and protect him from diseases
- They boost your pet’s immune system and enable him to fight off infections
Popular Probiotic Supplements
Popular probiotic supplements consist of various beneficial bacteria, digestive enzymes and other nutrients such as Vitamin C. Some even contain natural antibiotics that help prevent health problems caused by harmful bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella.
Total-Biotics
Total-Biotics contains several strains of beneficial bacteria in addition to probiotics and glutamine.
Natur’s Way Daily MSE
This probiotic supplement contains strains of yeast, fungi and bacteria in addition to vitamins, minerals and digestive enzymes such as amylase, lactase, cellulose and phytase.
Fasttrack Canine Microbial Supplement
This supplement contains live yeast known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium. It also contains digestive enzymes such as amylase, protease and casein.
Ultra Probiotic Powder
The powder contains the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and certain bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium. A daily teaspoon of this product is recommended by veterinarians.
When to Supplement Your Pet’s Diet with Probiotic Supplements
You should add probiotic supplements to your pet’s food when he is a puppy in order to boost his immune system and prepare him when he is ready to be weaned. You should also add probiotic supplements to your pet’s food if he is on antibiotics in order to restore the number of beneficial bacteria that are present in his digestive tract. Pets suffering from digestive problems or those about to be exposed to stressful conditions can also benefit from these supplements.
Probiotic supplements can help your pet fight off diseases better and aid in proper digestion.