10 Best Probiotics for Dogs UK 2022 | PURINA, Buddy & Lola and More

Like humans, dogs have millions of bacteria living in their gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This 'microbiome' of bacteria supports digestion and the immune system and, when working correctly, protects the gut from any harmful pathogens that are ingested - we all know that dogs will eat virtually anything they find on the floor!

If the gut bacteria become unbalanced or disrupted, it enters a state known as dysbiosis. This can be caused by antibiotics, stress (such as that caused by moving house or staying in kennels), diet changes, scavenging decaying matter or faeces or an underlying digestive health issue. Probiotics are a great way to fix this imbalance.

These supplements contain carefully selected strains of beneficial bacteria that can survive the strong acidic conditions of the stomach. They boost the natural microbiome of the gut, allowing it to regain balance in favour of the 'good' bacteria. Probiotics can help clear up diarrhoea, soothe anal gland itch, reduce allergy sensitivities, lessen flatulence and ease bloating, among a host of other things.

1. Choose Between Tablets, Pastes, Powders or Individual Treat-Sized Options
2. Decide if You’re Looking for a Preventative or Reactive Probiotic
   
3. Look Out for Specific Bacteria Strains to Combat Particular Health Issues
4. Check for Extra Beneficial Ingredients, Such as Prebiotics and Vitamins

Probiotics come in various forms, so you'll want to choose the type that suits your dog's attitude towards taking medication. Some dogs will eat pretty much anything you give them, but others need their medication to be concealed in something delicious! It's worth thinking about if you're dog is particularly fussy.

• Tablets or pellets: can be crushed up and mixed with their usual food if your dog refuses to swallow them. Plus, they are an easy option for getting the dosage right. 

• Pastes: are syringed directly into the mouth. Most of these have a tasty meaty flavour that dogs actually enjoy, but accidentally over-syringing is a risk. 

• Powder: usually comes in loose form with a scoop. This is often one of the cheapest options, but it can be tricky to measure out. Sometimes, it comes in convenient ready-to-use sachets, however, these tend to cost more, and the single-use packaging isn't great for the environment.

• Snack-sized probiotics: make giving the probiotics to your dog a breeze, as they're usually flavoured and can be chewed up like a treat. However, these tend to cost more than the less tempting options.

Probiotics can be administered either as a preventative or reactive treatment. If you prefer to take preventative measures, look for probiotics labelled as 'one-a-day' that say they can be used indefinitely to 'support gut health'. These will ensure you've got a little long-term 'insurance'.

On the other hand, probiotics can be administered as a short-term, intensive solution for treating a bout of diarrhoea or anal gland itch, for example. Remember, though, that if your dog's diarrhoea does not cease within 24 hours, take them straight to a vet, as it doesn't take long for dogs to become dangerously dehydrated.

Make sure you're also keeping on top of your dog's other regular preventative measures like dog wormers!

Different strains of probiotics have different properties and outcomes. Some supplements contain multiple bacteria strains, and some just contain a single type. If you're looking to treat a specific symptom, check the label carefully to see which bacteria strains are included. Here's a list of the most common dog-friendly probiotic bacteria to look out for.

• Bacillus coagulans: bacteria are known to reduce many types of diarrhoea.

• Bifidobacterium animalis: bacteria can assist with ongoing diarrhoea and can soothe the stomach after a course of antibiotics.

• Enterococcus faecium: bacteria helps reduce diarrhoea caused by stress.

• Lactobacillus acidophilus: bacteria reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions to food.

• Lactobacillus casei: bacteria are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

• Lactobacillus fermentum: bacteria can assist with recovery from urinary infections.

• Lactobacillus plantarum: bacteria help reduce bouts of diarrhoea.

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus: bacteria help de-escalate food and skin allergies.

If your dog has problems with its joints, check out our recommendations for dog joint supplements.

When shopping for probiotics, it's worth keeping an eye out for products that contain any other beneficial ingredients. For example, prebiotics are substances that encourage healthy bacteria to thrive. These are usually in the form of indigestible plant fibres, which resist the acid in the gut and instead 'feed' the good bacteria strains, meaning they are more likely to outcompete harmful bacteria. 

Vitamins such as A, C and E can also be added to probiotic supplements, as during (and after) bouts of diarrhoea, your dog needs to replenish nutrients at a higher rate than usual. A separate multi-vitamin supplement could also be used instead if you'd prefer.

Kaolin clay is often found in high-strength, topical diarrhoea treatments as it binds to and neutralises harmful bacteria and viruses in the intestinal tract. It also firms up faeces, resulting in a swift recovery from diarrhoea episodes.

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of probiotics for dogs available and understand how our ranking was determined.

This article’s chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:

1. Furever Friendz - Canine Probiotics & Prebiotics for Digestive Health for £19.99
2. Pet Naturals of Vermont - Daily Probiotic Digestive Health Supplement for £10.75
3. Buddy & Lola - Probiotics For Dogs for £17.97
4. PURINA - Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements FortiFlora Probiotic for £23.44
5. Avipro - Plus Probiotic, Prebiotic and Electrolytes for £11.25

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used. 

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Written and researched by Lucy Smith