Probiotics for Dogs and Cats

Benefits of Probiotics (and Prebiotics) for Dogs and Cats

Many of us think of bacteria as harmful, or even deadly, but did you know that certain bacteria are not only desirable, but necessary for your pet's good health?

"Friendly" bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifido-bacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus are just a few of the helpful microorganisms that can reside in your dog or cat's intestinal tract where they play an important role in defending his body against disease and illness.

These kinds of bacteria are referred to as "friendly" because, rather than causing illness and disease, they serve to defend your pet from harmful organisms which can invade his body from time to time.  

Keeping this complex ecosystem of microorganisms in balance, however, is not always easy.  In this ongoing “tug of war” between friendly and harmful bacteria, sometimes the friendly bacteria get outnumbered due to a number of causes:  

• The use of prescription drugs
• The aging process
• An inadequate diet
• A compromised immune system
• Fertilizers, pesticides and other chemical pollutants
• Stress  

Probiotics and Prebiotic Supplements for Dogs and Cats:

Complete Probiotics for Pets

Vetri-Probiotics BD (for dogs only)

Gastriplex

OptaGest - prebiotic and plant enzymes

Plant Enzymes and Probiotics

Learn more about Digestive Enzymes for Dogs and Cats

Probiotics and Antibiotics

One of the most common ways that the ratio of friendly-to-harmful bacteria gets nudged out of balance is through the use of antibiotics. Of course, the use of these drugs is not always avoidable, especially if your dog or cat is fighting a serious infection.

Unfortunately, antibiotics are not able to distinguish between friendly and harmful bacteria, so when eradicating the harmful bacteria (the source of many serious infections), they also kill off a large number of friendly bacteria. This leaves your pet with even less of a defense the next time he is exposed to harmful microorganisms.  

Chemicals in the water supply and soil can have much the same effect. They do eliminate many of the harmful bacteria your pet is exposed to; but they also upset the balance between good and harmful bacteria. In this way, chemicals can also have a negative impact on your pet's health.  

Even a natural event such as aging can affect the balance of good and harmful bacteria in your pet's intestinal tract. Regardless of the cause, if your pet shows any of the signs of an unhealthy intestinal tract, this should serve as a red flag: It’s time to intervene and help your pet get his intestinal ecosystem back on the right track. Some of the most common symptoms of an unhealthy digestive tract are the following:  

• Flatulence
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Sluggishness
• Skin problems
• Irritable Bowel Syndrom (IBS)    

Probiotic Supplements for Dogs and Cats - Replacing Friendly Bacteria

One of the simplest and most effective remedies for poor digestion is to administer probiotics to your pet. Probiotics are  supplements comprised of different kinds of friendly bacteria. The ingredients in them may vary from brand to brand, as do the methods of delivery. For instance, probiotics may come in capsule, paste, liquid, or tablet form. They may even be included in some brands of commercial pet food, although this is not considered the best source since, according to some studies, certain brands do not contain the amount or even the kind of probiotics that are stated on the labels. For this reason, supplements are considered the more effective way to go.  

What are Prebiotics?

Complete Probiotics for Pets by Mercola

This probiotic supplement for dogs and cats contains 10 strains of beneficial bacteria to promote optimal health in the digestive tract. If your pet suffers from skin problems, food intolerance, bad breath and gas, a probiotic supplement may help get their digestive system back in balance.

To purchase or learn more about Complete Probiotics for Pets...

Vetri-Probiotic BD by Vetri-Science

This formula, for dogs only, contains both probiotics, the preboitic FOS and digestive enzymes to aid in proper digestion and functioning of the GI tract. Especially beneficial after antibiotic treatments and for dogs with food sensitivities. Improves digestion, reduces gas, promotes regularity and settles the stomach.

To purchase or learn more about Vetri-Probiotics BD...

Gastriplex

To purchase or read more about Gastriplex...

Animal Essentials Plant Enyzmes and Probiotics

This formula contains both plant enzymes and a probiotic to aid in the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients. It provides the enzymes that have been processed out of most commercial pet foods.

To purchase or learn more about Animal Essentials Plant Enzymes and Probiotics...

OptaGest by InClover

OptaGest contains four plant enzymes to aid in the digestive process. A properly functioning digestive system can improve your pets overall health. OptaGest also contains the prebiotic FOS which helps the "good" bacteria thrive in the intestinal tract.

To purchase or learn more about OptaGest...