What Are Probiotics for Dogs?

Probiotics for dogs are “good” live bacteria that help keep your dog’s gut healthy. They live in the digestive system and help break down food, take in nutrients, and support the immune system (FAO/WHO, 2001). Probiotics can be found naturally in a dog’s gut, in some dog-safe foods, or in supplements.

What Are Dog Probiotics?

Dog probiotics are usually supplements made for dogs that contain live, healthy bacteria. These products are designed to give dogs safe and helpful types of bacteria, like Enterococcus faecium or Lactobacillus acidophilus (ISAPP, 2014; FDA, 2022).

While probiotics can also come from food or occur naturally in the gut, supplements give the exact strains and amounts that have been shown to help dogs.

Types of Dog Probiotics

• Capsules / pills
• Powders
• Pastes or liquids
• Dog foods with added probiotics
• Probiotic treats
• Natural sources (e.g., plain yogurt or kefir if dog tolerates dairy)—note these may provide probiotics. However, they may not offer the specific strains proven to benefit dogs.

What’s in Dog Probiotics?

Most dog probiotic supplement generally contains one or more types of bacteria and/or yeast strains that can carry out a variety of different functions. For example, some strains may help reduce diarrhea, while others support nutrient absorption or boost the immune system.

What to Look for in a Dog Probiotics?

When choosing a dog probiotic, Dr. Coates (PetMD) recommends looking for products that contain well-studied and safe strains such as:

• Enterococcus faecium
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus casei
• Lactobacillus plantarum
• Bifidobacterium bifidum
• Bifidobacterium animalis
• VSL#3

They strains are also on FDA’s 2022 list of approved non-toxigenic microorganisms for animal use, meaning they meet safety standards for animals, including dogs.

What Is the Most Effective Probiotic for Dogs?

There is no single probiotic supplement that works best for every dog and every health condition. Effectiveness can depend on your dog’s individual needs, health status, and how their body responds to a particular strain or blend.

Among the safe and well-studied options, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium are the most commonly used probiotics for dogs.

How to Choose a High-Quality Dog Probiotic

While there’s no single “best” probiotic for every dog, there are certain things you can check on the product. When comparing products, check the label for these key factors:

1) Look for Clear Strain Identification

• High-quality probiotics don’t just list “Lactobacillus acidophilus” — they should give the full strain code (e.g., Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM).
• These codes identify specific, clinically studied strains.
  If the product provides genus + species + strain ID, that’s a sign of quality.
• Here’s a list of some of the most researched probiotic strains for dogs and how each one can support your dog’s health:

2) Check for CFU Guarantee Through Shelf Life

• • Some products only state CFU “at time of manufacture.” This means by the time it reaches the pet’s bowl, much of it could be dead.
  • Look for a guarantee like: “Contains X CFU at expiry date.” This shows the company has tested stability and factored in natural die-off.
  • For dogs, most veterinarians and research suggest an effective probiotic should provide 1–10 billion CFU per serving. Smaller dogs may do well at the lower end, while larger dogs or those with digestive issues often benefit from higher counts within this range.

3) Verify Dog-Specific Research

• • Some probiotic strains work great in humans but don’t colonize well in dogs.
  • Strains like Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415, Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7, and some Lactobacillus strains have published studies in dogs.
    If the strain has canine studies, that’s the gold standard.

4) Check Manufacturing Standards

Look for terms like:

• • “Human-grade” facilities
  • “GMP-certified” (Good Manufacturing Practice)
  • “Third-party tested”

These reduce the risk of contamination and prove the CFU numbers are real.

5) Ask for a Certificate of Analysis (COA)

A COA confirms:

• • Which strains are in the product
  • How many CFUs are guaranteed
  • Shelf-life stability tests

This is the most reliable proof of viability and quality.

6) Watch Out for Red Flags

• • Labels that just say “proprietary probiotic blend” without strain names.
  • No CFU count listed.
  • Only vague claims like “supports gut health” without evidence.
  • Overly high CFU claims (100+ billion) without shelf-life guarantee — often marketing hype.

Where to Buy Quality Probiotics for Dogs?

Finding the right probiotics for dogs doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At MedCart, Australia’s trusted online medical marketplace, you’ll find a range of dog probiotics from reliable brands—all in one place.

For a detailed guide on choosing the best probiotic for dogs, including the strains to look for and product recommendations, check out our full article: Best Probiotics for Dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can dogs have human probiotics?

Do dog probiotics help with allergies?

Is Greek yogurt a probiotic for dogs?

Does pumpkin work as a probiotic for dogs?

Is Enterococcus faecium a probiotic for dogs?

What is the best probiotic for dogs?

Should I give my dog a probiotic?

Do probiotics help dogs with licking paws?

References

• FAO/WHO (2001). Health and nutritional properties of probiotics in food including powder milk with live lactic acid bacteria.
• ISAPP (2014). Probiotics: definition and scope.
• FDA (2022). List of non-toxigenic microorganisms for animal use.
• Additional reading: WebMD, PetMD, PetFoodReviews AU, Normanhurst Vet, Westie Foundation, IntechOpen, AAFCO Annual Committee Report.