7 Probiotics to Get Your Dog’s Gut Health in Check
The probiotics your pup should have in their medicine cabinet.
share article
Your pet wants you to read our newsletter. (Then give them a treat.)
If your cabinet reflects the health trends of the past few years, there’s a solid chance you have a few probiotics stashed away on a high shelf. Maybe you liked the packaging, maybe a particular brand was served to you by the Instagram algorithm, or maybe your doctor insisted this was the next best thing for your health.
Whatever your gateway into probiotics, you may still not fully grasp what the microorganisms that comprise the genre actually are or do — and you’re not alone. That’s why we reached out to a few experts to get to the bottom of what probiotics are and why your dog may need them in their own pantry.
Your Pet’s Behavioral Issues Might Be All in Their Gut
It’s a gut thing: Your dog’s GI issues could be linked to their mental health.
So, what exactly are probiotics, anyway? According to Mary Ellen Sanders, PhD, an internationally recognized leader in probiotic microbiology, in the canine gastrointestinal(GI) tract, probiotics promote health by “piggybacking on the important relationship between the normal immune system and microbes.” When the immune system senses these microbes in the gut, it launches a response to protect the body. In layman’s terms: Probiotics effect bodily functions ranging from digestion to immune health and can even influence mood.
OK, so when should you start your dog on a probiotic supplement plan? When it comes to optimizing the use of probiotics, Dr. Robert Boyle, a clinical lecturer with the UK’s National Institute for Health Research, suggests taking a preventative approach. “Once disease is established, it is harder for [probiotics] to compete with pathogenic bacteria and processes that have already become established in the gut,” ” Dr. Boyle says. Not only do probiotics keep your dog’s gut microorganisms balanced, they also boost digestion, energy levels, and metabolism, as well as aid their natural immune defenses. That’s why it’s so important to start your dog on a diet rich in good microflora while they’re in good health.
Gut Feelings: How to Balance Your Pet’s Microbiome
The mind-gut connection isn’t just for people — your dog or cat’s gut microbiome plays a big role in their health and well-being.
Below, the seven probiotics for dogs that’ll help supplement their daily diet.
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
Ask anyone who’s hidden vegetables from a toddler by shrouding them in cheesy noodles: There are smart ways to make nutrients taste good. The Honest Kitchen’s human-grade probiotic formula for dogs is one of them. Made from dehydrated goat’s milk, it’s easy to add to any meal or can be served as a course of its own. Produced by free-range goats, it contains no byproducts, preservatives, or GMO ingredients. Plus, it’s made right here in the U.S., so you can feel good about reducing your carbon pawprint.
$15 at Amazon
These probiotic chews are designed to promote healthy yeast production in pups, making their unique blend of properties, antioxidants, and live cultures an ideal way to balance good gut bacteria. The popular blend, a mix of delicious and nutritious ingredients, helps you pet live a healthy and active life.
$37 at PetLab Co.
This veterinarian recommended formula of 100 percent traceable and functional ingredients promotes healthy digestion and supports normal gut flora in your pup. Made with pumpkin (a source of fiber), ginger (an anti-inflammatory), and seven probiotics that aid in regular digestion, Open Farm’s chews are a great start for improving your pup’s gut health.
$35 at Open Farm
Packed with pre and probiotics, Finn’s digestive probiotic supplements are ideal for the dog suffering from sudden weight gain, allergic reactions, itchy skin, loose stools, or other negative side effects of unhealthy microflora. By replacing your pup’s bad gut bacteria with good, these probiotic enzymes will restore balance to their GI tract, leading to a happier and healthier dog.
$30 at Finn
Made with natural ingredients including organic ginger and turmeric and a proprietary probiotic blend, these board-certified veterinarian-reviewed probiotic supplements are free of artificial flavors and fillers, such as grain, soy, and corn. So, you can expect only the good stuff and skip all the yucky extras.
$21 at Wild One
Vet nutritionist developed and and PhD developed, this four ingredient blend of prebiotic Jerusalem artichoke and pumpkin seeds with tasty bone broth and several strains of probiotics makes for a perfect simplistic powdered formula. Helping to combat bloat, gas, and diarrhea, it’s an ideal preventative supplement for health-minded dog parents.
$27 at Amazon
Nom Nom has two board-certified veterinary nutritionists on staff and is committed to sustainability. Whenever possible, they make sure their ingredients are sustainably sourced, and are working to ensure zero food waste in their facilities, so you can feel good purchasing from an ethically minded brand.
$40 at AmazonRelated articles
![Pomeranian stands in front of a yellow bowl of homemade probiotic yogurt]()
Are Probiotics Actually Something Your Dog Needs?
Time for a (literal) gut check from four experts.
![A cat licking yogurt from a spoon.]()
6 Best Cat Probiotics
Is your cat’s microbiome out of whack? It may be time to add probiotics to their diet.
![Dog in high contrast lit hallway standing near a food bowl]()
Your Pet’s Behavioral Issues Might Be All in Their Gut
It’s a gut thing: Your dog’s GI issues could be linked to their mental health.
![Grey cat at looking up from eating on floor at home]()
Gut Feelings: How to Balance Your Pet’s Microbiome
The mind-gut connection isn’t just for people — your dog or cat’s gut microbiome plays a big role in their health and well-being.
![A dog sitting on the floor with a bowl of kibble.]()
Everything You Need to Know About Your Dog's Gut Microbiome
Microscopic organisms may reveal pathways to better health for your pet.
Avery Felman
Avery is an editor at The Wildest. She has written for numerous publications, including Refinery29, BuzzFeed, and V Magazine. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her fiancé and cat, Chicken, and has high hopes that one of them will let her adopt a dog.
Elizabeth Kennedy
Elizabeth Kennedy is a freelance writer and editor in the San Francisco Bay Area.