This content was reviewed by veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Racine, DVM.
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Human probiotics have become a health craze due to their numerous benefits, but have you considered them for your furry friend? We all know how fickle a dog’s digestive system can be. Fortunately, specially formulated dog probiotics can be a life-changer for dogs suffering from digestive and other health problems. What do you need to know about pup probiotics, and which products are your best bets?
Always consult your vet before giving your pup any medications or supplements.
| Winner | Runner-Up | Third Place |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are formulas containing living gut-friendly bacteria found naturally in the digestive tract and other areas of the body. The goal of ingesting probiotics is to maintain healthy levels of good bacteria, prevent gastrointestinal (GI) problems, and boost the immune system after being disrupted by illness, infection, antibiotic treatment, or other stressors.
Benefits
Probiotics have many health benefits, but some key advantages include:
- Decreases incidences of diarrhea and flatulence
- Improves bad breath
- Helps recovery from illnesses and infections
- Enhances immune response
- Helps manage many diseases, like inflammatory bowel syndrome, and kidney disease
- Reduces pain and swelling due to anti-inflammatory properties
- Improves stress response
Expert Tip: Many report diarrhea or other stomach upset upon starting a new probiotic regimen. However, this is common with any significant dietary adjustment — for pets and humans. So, it may be best to ease into the treatment with less than the recommended dose, allowing time for your pet’s tummy to calibrate to this nutritional change.
What To Look For
Each dog’s health needs are different, so you want to look for a probiotic formula that contains bacterial strains that address those individual needs, e.g., intestinal infections, diarrhea, etc. For that reason, we’ve listed the probiotic blends in each product we review.
Products you’re considering should list the specific bacterial species and strains, such as Bifidobacterium animalis. The best formulas include several strains to simultaneously help multiple aspects of their digestive and immune systems.
We’ve included a summary of the best bacterial strains for dogs and their specific benefits. Click here to jump to that section.
What Is CFU?
When comparing probiotic formulas, you’ll usually notice a CFU count as a prominent “selling point.” CFU stands for “colony-forming unit,” and a CFU count quantifies how many live bacteria cultures in a probiotic are active and can divide to form these beneficial colonies.
Is a higher CFU count better? It depends. If you give your dog probiotics daily to maintain digestive and immune health, a lower CFU count should suffice (between 3-10 billion CFU). However, a higher CFU count is ideal for illnesses and health problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), food allergies, after antibiotic treatment, and other cases.
Prebiotics
You’ll want to look for a probiotic blend that includes a prebiotic. Prebiotics promote probiotic growth, which helps keep harmful bacteria under control in the dog’s gut.
Best Probiotics For Overall Dog Health
We’ve chosen our top picks based on several factors, including the variety of blends, other ingredients, customer feedback, and pricing.
Winner: Nom Nom Probiotic Support Review
We chose Nom Nom Probiotic Support as the best dog probiotic for its combination of blends, reasonable price, and fantastic customer reviews. Nom Nom, a popular fresh dog food delivery service, has two different probiotic blends for dogs (full spectrum and GI-targeted) and a probiotic for cats. Their blends are formulated by their expert team of veterinary nutritionists and microbiologists. The company also offers a gut health test for dogs and cats that can help you determine if they need a probiotic.
The full-spectrum probiotic formula includes a prebiotic and seven strains of live bacteria to help maintain normal digestive and immune function and intestinal tract health.
The GI-targeted formula includes Saccharomyces boulardii, which can help treat diarrhea, Clostridium difficile, and inflammatory bowel disease in dogs. S. boulardii is also beneficial if your dog is taking antibiotics. It’s a healthy yeast that’s also considered a probiotic rather than a bacteria so that it won’t be killed by antibiotic use.
Recommended use:
- Mix one level scoop of the powder into food once daily
- Protect from light, high temperatures, and moisture
- Refrigerate for optimal preservation
Probiotics included in Full Spectrum Blend: Inulin (prebiotic), Bifidobacterium animalis, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. reuteri, L. fermentum, L. rhamnosus, and Pediococcus acidilactici.
Probiotics included in GI-Targeted Blend: Inulin (prebiotic), Bifidobacterium animalis, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Saccharomyces boulardii.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Formulas contain no dairy, rice, wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients | No money-back guarantee |
| Each batch is independently tested for quality | |
| 20 billion CFUs per serving, including strains derived from healthy dogs | |
| Made in the USA | |
| Free shipping |
Price
Runner-Up: Nusentia Probiotic Miracle Review
Nusentia Probiotic Miracle is our #2 pick as the best dog probiotic for its combination of blends and overall fantastic customer reviews. It also has a 60-day 100% money-back guarantee.
This formula contains six different strains and a prebiotic to combat dog diarrhea, loose stool, yeast overgrowth, bad breath, constipation, itching & scratching, allergies, digestive issues, and gut-related problems.
Recommended use:
- Sprinkle this tasteless and odorless powder on your dog’s food daily.
- For wellness: 1 scoop (under 50 lbs); 2 scoops (over 50 lbs).
- Therapeutic use: 3 scoops (under 50 lbs); 5 scoops (over 50 lbs).
- You can store it at room temperature for up to a year.
Probiotics included: Inulin (prebiotic), Bifidobacterium animalis lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius, L. plantarum, and L. reuteri.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-natural formula with no rice, soy, dairy, fillers, or byproducts | A few pet parents said it upset their dog’s stomach and/or caused diarrhea |
| Suitable for a variety of health concerns | Can get lumpy |
| 1 billion CFUs per serving | |
| Tasteless and odorless | |
| 60-day money-back guarantee | |
| Safe for dogs and cats | |
| Made in the USA |
Price
- Starts at $25.99 for one 44g jar (120 scoops)
Third Place: VetriScience Vetri Mega Probiotic Review
VetriScience is a well-respected canine supplement brand, and its probiotic formula doesn’t disappoint. If your dog scoffs at powder on his food, VetriScience’s capsules could be an excellent solution.
This product contains a prebiotic, seven bacterial strains, and five billion CFU per capsule. It’s recommended for supporting digestive health and issues related to food sensitivity and allergies. It also promotes a healthy immune and neurological system.
Recommended use: Give one capsule daily for dogs under 40 lbs (2 capsules for dogs over 40 lbs). Store in a cool, dry place.
Probiotics included: Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) prebiotic, Bifidobacterium bifidum, B. Iongum, Enterococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. brevis, L. plantarum, and L. casei.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-natural and non-dairy | Contains rice flour (some dogs are sensitive) |
| Promotes healthy digestive, immune, and neurological systems | Several pet parents said it caused diarrhea |
| 5 billion CFUs per capsule | |
| Safe for dogs and cats | |
| Made in the USA |
Price
- Starts at $28.50 for 120 capsules
Honorable Mention: PetHonesty Digestive Probiotic Chews Review
If you’re looking for an alternative to powders or pills, these PetHonesty’s probiotic chews with enzymes help support digestive health, immunity, and nutrient absorption. They come in two flavors (duck or pumpkin) and don’t contain wheat, corn, soy, dairy, harmful chemicals, preservatives, or artificial flavoring. Each chew contains five strains of bacteria, a prebiotic, and three billion CFUs.
Made in the USA in a Good Manufacturing Practices-certified and FDA-approved facility, you can trust you are giving your pup a trusted daily supplement. They have a money-back guarantee and subscription option to save 20% on recurring purchases. You can also save 10% if you bundle three together.
Recommended use: Best when taken on a full stomach after mealtime. One chew per day per every 25 lbs of dog’s weight.
Probiotics included: Inulin (prebiotic), Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. brevis, L. fermentum, L. lactis, and L. plantarum.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-natural with no wheat or dairy | Contains fewer strains than our top 3 picks |
| Promotes healthy digestive and immune systems | |
| 3 billion CFUs per chew | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee | |
| Save 20% with auto-shipping | |
| Made in the USA |
Price
You can save 20% off the following price with auto-shipping.
- $26.99 for a one-time purchase (90-count)
Honorable Mention: Honest Paws Pre+ Probiotics Review
Honest Paws, a premium manufacturer of CBD oils and CBD treats, offers a vet-formulated probiotic powder blend that contains a prebiotic, six strains of bacterial probiotics, and Solarplast, a spinach leaf extract that promotes cellular restoration and repair. Each serving contains five billion CPUs and comes in a single packet, making dosing a breeze. It’s chicken-flavored and contains all-natural ingredients.
Recommended use: Administer 1 stick per day orally or as recommended by a veterinarian.
Probiotics included: Inulin (prebiotic), Bacillus subtilis (DE111), Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium animalis lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus plantarum.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-natural and non-GMO | Contains rice hull and rice extract blend (some dogs are sensitive) |
| Promotes healthy digestive and immune systems | |
| 5 billion CFUs per serving | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee | |
| Made in the USA |
Price
- $24.95 ($0.83 / Gram) for 30 servings
Probiotics For Specific Health Conditions
Here are some of the best dog probiotics that target specific issues.
Best Probiotic For Dogs With A Sensitive Stomach: NaturVet Advanced Probiotics & Enzymes Review
Many pup owners find this supplement an excellent daily aid for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Each soft chew contains 500 million CPUs of Bacillus subtilis, a PB6 probiotic that’s scientifically formulated to travel through the entire GI tract. The chews also contain special enzymes such as lipase and alpha amylase that are known to help with digestive problems. This veterinarian-formulated supplement is manufactured in the USA in an FDA-audited and CGMP-compliant facility.
Recommended use: Give daily at mealtime: 1 chew (under 20 lbs), 2 chews (21-40 lbs), 3 chews (41-80 lbs), and 4 chews (over 80 lbs).
Probiotics Included: Bacillus subtilis PB6 and Bacillus coagulans
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-natural and wheat-free | Only contains 2 bacterial strains |
| Contains beneficial digestive enzymes | Some customers say their dogs didn’t like the taste |
| 50 billion CPUs of B. coagulans in each chew | |
| 100% satisfaction guarantee | |
| Made in the USA |
Price
- Starts at $18.99 ($1.19 / Ounce) for 70 soft chews
Best Probiotic For Dogs With Allergies: Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites Review
A healthy gut can go a long way to alleviate your dog’s allergy issues. Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites combines a five-strain probiotic formula with special ingredients to help combat more serious allergy and immunity problems.
These chewable bites contain organic licorice root, apple cider vinegar, colostrum, and vitamins, protein, fiber, and antioxidants that are clinically proven to boost the immune system. The peanut butter chews also include wild Alaskan salmon oil to support your dog’s immune system health and skin allergies.
Recommended Use: Begin with half the suggested dose and gradually work up to the suggested daily amount: 1 chew (up to 25 lbs), 2 chews (26-75 lbs), and 3 chews (over 75lbs). Amounts can be split between AM and PM.
Probiotics included: Inulin (prebiotic), Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. brevis, L. fermentum, L. lactis, and L. plantarum.
Note: Many customers say it takes a few weeks to improve allergies and itchy skin, so stick with it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly | Not dairy-free |
| Formula is free of grains, corn, and soy | CFU count is lower than other products reviewed here (250 million per chew) |
| Contains antioxidants to relieve itchy skin | A few reviews that it upset their dog’s stomach |
| Chews are easier to give than powders | |
| 100% satisfaction guarantee | |
| Many customers say their dogs love the peanut butter and lamb-flavored chews |
Price
- $28.97 ($2.59 / Ounce) for 90 chews
Best Probiotic For Dogs With Diarrhea: Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora Review
Vets have been recommending Purina FortiFlora to their patients for years to regulate dogs’ digestive systems when things go awry. This product contains 100 million CFU per gram of Enterococcus faecium and other beneficial ingredients, such as vitamins E, B, and C, antioxidants, beta-carotene, and zinc.
Recommended Use: Feed 1 packet to your dog daily under the supervision of your veterinarian.
Probiotic included: Enterococcus faecium
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Effective against flatulence and diarrhea | Can be hit or miss, depending on your dog’s gut makeup (since it’s only one strain) |
| Comes in pre-measured packets | Doesn’t include a prebiotic |
| Made in the USA |
Price
- $30.99 for 30 individual pouches
Best Probiotic For Dogs With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Four Leaf Rover Gut Guard Review
Four Leaf Rover’s Gut Guard’s special blend of probiotics, L-glutamine, N-acetyl glucosamine, and organic herbs can help control GI inflammation in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This vet-formulated supplement boosts healthy gut flora, breaks down hard-to-digest fibers and starches, and helps seal a leaky intestinal lining.
The organic herbs, such as licorice root, aloe vera, chamomile, dandelion root, ginger root, and burdock root extracts, have exceptional anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the gut of dogs with IBD. Gut Guard is also an excellent probiotic for dogs with other GI problems, including sensitive stomachs, diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
Recommended use: At mealtime, give once daily for healthy dogs and twice daily for immune support (or as directed by your vet.) Dosing: 1/4 tsp (5-25 lbs), 1/2 tsp (25-50 lbs), 1 tsp (50-75 lbs), 1-1/2 tsp (75-100 lbs), and 2 tsp (over 100 lbs).
Probiotics included: Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, and Pediococcus acidilactici
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-natural, non-GMO, and organic | Only has 3 strains of bacteria |
| Excellent blend of anti-inflammatory ingredients | |
| 6 billion CPUs per 1-1/2 teaspoon scoop | |
| 30-day satisfaction guarantee | |
| Formulated by a holistic veterinarian |
Price
- $39.99 for 30 large dog doses
Best Probiotic For Dogs On Antibiotics: FullBucket Review
FullBucket has a yeast-based powder probiotic that’s an excellent option if your dog is taking antibiotics. Each serving contains five billion CFUs of Saccharomyces cerevisae boulardii, a yeast probiotic that antibiotics won’t kill. This all-natural product also contains a prebiotic, digestive enzymes, and L-glutamine, an important amino acid that helps support a healthy GI lining.
Note: Our number one pick, Nom Nom, also offers a probiotic that contains S. boulardii, in addition to several bacteria strains.
Recommended use: One scoop on food with each meal for adult dogs (1/4 scoop for puppies).
Probiotic included: Saccharomyces cerevisae boulardii
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ideal for dogs taking antibiotics | Doesn’t contain any bacterial probiotic strains |
| All-natural, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO | Some users say it wasn’t effective for their dogs |
| Save 20% with auto-shipping | |
| Made in the USA |
Price
You can save 20% off the following price with auto-shipping. You get free shipping on orders over $50.
- Starts at $27.99 for one 87g jar (30 servings)
Most Beneficial Bacteria Strains For Dogs
Bacterial species used most frequently in probiotics for dogs are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.
- Bacillus coagulans are soil-based bacteria that are resistant to destruction from stomach acid. It’s been shown to help with stool quality, nutrient absorption, diarrhea, gas, and overall intestinal and immune health in dogs.
- Bifidobacterium animalis is naturally found in your dog’s large intestine. It helps to improve overall intestinal health, prevent inflammatory activity and infection and resolve canine diarrhea.
- Lactobacillus acidophilus helps to promote antibacterial and antifungal properties in the GI tract. It also helps prevent diarrhea associated with an antibiotic. Finally, it may help reduce cholesterol levels and improve growth in puppies and younger dogs.
- L. fermentum, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius, L. reuteri, L. plantarum, and L. casei are all critical in the healthy canine gut. They provide anti-microbial properties in the GI tract and help improve intestinal problems.1
- Enterococcus faecium aids in digestion and helps to maintain a healthy mix of bacteria in the dog’s stomach. It also helps protect against Shigella, E. coli, Salmonella, and other pathogens.1
- Pediococcus acidilactici is used to treat constipation and diarrhea, relieve stress, and enhance the immune response. It’s also known to protect the small intestine from pathogens, such as E. coli and Salmonella.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our readers often ask about dog probiotics.
Can Dogs Take Human Probiotics?
Human probiotics aren’t harmful to dogs but may not help your pup. Why? Many of the bacteria strains in humans can differ from those in dogs, so giving your dog a dog-specific probiotic is more beneficial. But keep in mind that a human probiotic blend could have other ingredients that may be harmful to dogs, so it’s wise to go with a doggy blend.
Can Puppies Take Probiotics?
Yes, older puppies can take probiotics formulated for dogs. What’s the best probiotic for puppies? Any of the products we review here are safe and beneficial for puppies. Just follow the safe starting age (typically eight weeks) and serving size for your puppy’s weight.
Are There Natural Probiotics For Dogs?
A natural source of natural probiotics for dogs is yogurt or kefir. You’ll want a product high in live cultures with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Added sugars aren’t healthy for dogs, and some artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, are toxic for dogs. Also, plain, Greek-style yogurt is better because it has lower levels of lactose, which can cause digestive issues in some dogs.
Fermented vegetables can also be a healthy source of natural probiotics for dogs, but you want to ensure they don’t contain any onions, garlic, or chives, as these are toxic for dogs. See which foods are and aren’t safe for dogs.
Why Do Vets Recommend Probiotics? (Video)
See one family’s story about how their vet-recommended probiotic helped their senior Shih Tzu.
Other Ways To Remedy Digestive Problems
Besides adding probiotics to your dog’s diet, there are other things you can do to treat your dog if he’s suffering from chronic GI problems. First, check out our tips to cure a dog’s upset stomach.
You may also want to consider switching your dog’s diet. Several companies specialize in all-natural, high-quality dog food blends formulated to address GI problems and allergies. And they deliver right to your door. Read our reviews of the best dog food subscriptions to learn more.
Sources: [1] Doggy’s Digest
Tagged With: Comparison, Reviewed By Dr. Racine, DVM, Supplements
