You’re probably aware that probiotics can improve digestive health for humans, but did you know the same is true for a dog’s digestive system? Adding probiotics to your dog’s daily intake can provide many benefits overall to a dog’s health, just by keeping all the microbes that naturally reside in the intestines in balance. Let’s discuss exactly what probiotics are and how your dog can benefit from them.

The Good Stuff

Probiotics are good bacteria, or microbes, that are found naturally in the large and small intestines of humans and dogs. When in balance, we have a healthy gut, feel good, and have no poop issues.

The good bacteria assist with digestion, make nutrients, and boost the immune system. Probiotics and your dog’s digestive system work together in multiple ways by keeping everything in balance to maintain a healthy stomach and providing benefits to a dog’s health in general.

Prescribed Probiotics

Several triggers can upset the balance of good bacteria in your dog’s digestive system, and will ultimately affect your dog’s health overall. Infection, allergies, stress, diet, medications, or just old age can aggravate or trigger these imbalances. In a growing understanding of the benefits of probiotics, many current dry dog foods now add probiotics. Adding probiotics to your dog’s diet is one way to address any health issues your dog may be experiencing.

There are quite a few probiotic supplements available, and you will want to discuss which is the best option, and the correct dosage amount for your dog with your vet. Some of the better probiotics available are:

Thorne Research’s Bacillus Coagulans Vet
Jarrow’s Pet Dophilus
Vetri-Science’s Vetri-Probiotic

Benefits vs. Necessity

The majority of dogs don’t need to take probiotics; however, your dog’s health and digestive system can greatly benefit from adding probiotics [1] – the good bacteria – to their daily intake. In addition to treating diarrhea, upset tummies, and even regulating mood and behaviors, some of the benefits that all dogs can gain from taking probiotics are:

Improving the overall dog digestive system
Preventing urinary tract infections
Preventing allergies
Support the immune system
Regulate appetite

Now we understand more about probiotics, what they are, and the overall dog health and dog digestive system benefits they can provide. Remember, always check with your vet before changing your dog’s diet or adding supplements such as probiotics.

Dogs Know Best

Can it be conceivable that dogs eat poop for reasons other than what we may think? Consider this – a dog understands that healthy animal poop contains good bacteria that their dog digestive system needs to function correctly. It’s almost instinctive for a dog to know what he needs to eat! A hard thought for us humans to swallow, but do dogs know what is best for their health?

If you are not sold on the idea of your dog prescribing a health fix on their own by eating animal droppings, picking up poop in the yard will alleviate that problem. With our busy lives today, it is sometimes difficult to stay on top of the scooping poop game, and there are companies like POOP 911 that will take on the challenge for you. Having someone else scoop the poop regularly is one sure-fire way to keep your dog from eating his own or other poop in the yard.