A few weeks ago, we read an email about probiotics for dogs. The question was: do dogs need probiotics, and the author argued no. In fact, they said they stopped using and recommending them altogether!
It made some interesting points, but it also really highlighted some of the common misunderstandings about probiotics. The general nature of the statements implied that all probiotics are the same or act the same way in the body, thus misrepresenting probiotic and microbiome science in some important ways. Additionally, it discounted the variety of strains and the research that exists. It even claimed that probiotics could be doing more harm than good, and that’s troublesome. And on a more personal note, it implied that all probiotic companies are of the same calibre (and not in a good way).
We are big proponents of probiotics and stand by our belief that most animals benefit greatly from a high-quality probiotic. Probiotics are not just a “fad” or a “trend” – they’ve become popular for a very good reason. Do all dogs need them? No, and we’ll cover that below – but most are going to see significant benefits from their use.
If you’re considering using probiotics or currently use them for any reason, you might be asking yourself if your dog actually needs them, or worse, if they’re doing more harm than good! Our goal with this post is to ease your mind and give you the information you need to make a well-informed choice.
Misunderstandings About Probiotics
These are some misunderstandings about probiotics that may have you scratching your head. Some have nuggets of truth depending on what you’re referring to or how you interpret the science. In most cases, however, the lack of information and context for these misunderstandings is what causes some major issues. That is why having more information is vital!
Before addressing “do dogs need probiotics,” let’s address these blanket statements.
True or False: Most probiotics don’t colonize the gut.
We know that the value of probiotics comes from their ability to colonize the gut, delivering all those benefits we want. So, of course, hearing that they don’t do that is going to be concerning.
What’s the truth? Scientific research literally tells us that “Probiotics administered orally endure one of two fates: some merely pass through, but others colonize the gut.” So yes, some don’t, but SOME DO! You have to consider both!
Some probiotic strains are sensitive to things like heat, antimicrobials, and yes, acidity. However, not all probiotic strains have the same properties, and some strains are more robust than others, so that just means it’s important to make sure the strains in your dog’s probiotics are well-researched.
Perhaps the statement refers to long-term colonization. Probiotics colonize the gut, but usually not long-term. If you stop using them, those colonies are not going to last forever. And we would never expect them to! That’s like saying the benefits of any natural remedy will last forever…
True or False: Probiotics can lower microbial diversity.
Your dog’s (and your own) microbiome naturally features a wealth of diverse bacteria. That’s undeniable. And we love diversity. So this one’s important.
We love a good multicultural melting pot – and that refers to society and to the gut! If you feed one strain, day-in-and-day-out, you’re not encouraging diversity. That’s just common sense.
Instead, you want to welcome lots of different characters to the party! That means looking for many different strains, rotating, switching things up, and taking breaks. This variety is what keeps microbial diversity intact, always learning and working.
In fact, research proves that many probiotics don’t impact the bacterial diversity of a healthy microbiome. So, rather than crowding out all the good and bad bacteria, if you’re rotating and introducing a variety of strains, you’re helping that diversity to flourish and not negatively altering the microbial diversity.
True or False: Probiotics might flare gut problems.
This misunderstanding is that, in cases like SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), some probiotics have the potential to further bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, which would cause flare-ups. Yes, that is 100% true. BUT – and this is crucial – the keyword here is some. It does not give any context or further investigate probiotics for SIBO in full.
Research proves that certain probiotics, namely soil-based ones, have been shown to reduce symptoms of SIBO, one hypothesis is that it is because they don’t colonize in the small intestine and possess anti-inflammatory properties. Ignoring this scientific evidence and denying the value of probiotics in cases like this could mean an animal is actually missing out on much-needed help!! Certain probiotics can actually be wonderfully helpful for animals with SIBO!
There is also the statement that probiotics delay gut recovery after antibiotics. Yes, it has been found that following a course of antibiotics, the limited number of bacteria in probiotic products can colonize the gut. This can slow the balanced return of the diverse and complex colonies of microbes that are unique to an individual’s microbiome. BUT, again, further exploration is important here – a probiotic with diverse strains, coupled with a variety of other actions (food and prebiotics, specifically) can aid in the rebuilding of diversity.
True or False: Probiotic results are inconsistent.
This one is just general common sense. Of course, every animal is different, and what works for one may not work for another. In the case of probiotics, some pets take to them like pigs to the mud, whereas others might have the toots for a few days. Just remember, this logic can be applied to literally ANY SUPPLEMENT. It’s why we say start slow.
Additionally, different probiotic strains will provide different benefits, and a healthy animal may see different results than one with a compromised microbiome. These are all well-known facts.
True or False: Many probiotics don’t contain what’s on the label.
As a largely unregulated industry, pet health supplements are prone to things like this, and not just probiotics. Are there companies out there that make less-than-stellar choices? Undeniably.
But there are also many companies that take pride in ensuring that their products match labels, ones that go above and beyond with testing and ensure every single batch is made and packaged with only animal health in mind. We know many companies and founders who are committed to quality and the betterment of health.
One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch. That’s why it’s important to do your research. If you ever have doubts or want clarification from a company, reach out. Trust your gut. Ask questions. A reputable company offering high-quality probiotics should be transparent, have answers to all of your questions, and should be able to support the claims they make. It’s that simple. At Adored Beast, we are committed to giving you all the information you need and want to make the choice that you feel is best for your pet. You can always reach out to our dedicated customer success team is you have questions = questions@adoredbeast.com.
True or False: Labels often don’t specify strains.
This one is true. Even we might be accused of this, in a way. Our labels don’t list all the specific strains (some have 14 so space is tough), but we do say to check the website for specific information on strains. And each and every one of our probiotics has specific strain information on the website. We know this to be the case with other reputable companies as well!
Another element of this misunderstanding is the fact that different strains can have opposite effects. So, if a company isn’t doing their due diligence, isn’t paying attention to the science or how different strains play together in the sandbox, the different strains could be counter-intuitive.
We would be bold enough to say that most companies are very careful when formulating and do the necessary research to ensure the best probiotic blend goes into the jar. It’s why we do exhaustive research and read the science: to make sure our blends are safe and beneficial for animals. So, even though the specifics of the strains may not be on the label, it doesn’t mean the company is trying to “hide” something. With a reputable company, those strains have been thoroughly researched and meticulously chosen.
True or False: Marketing claims can be misleading.
This one was personal for us: “Flashy, science-sounding phrases like “genetically unique, derived from wild ancestors” or “the first biologically species-specific probiotic” sound impressive but are often just hype without real evidence.”
We have 7 different probiotics at Adored Beast, one of which is actually the first biologically species-specific probiotic. That’s something we are very proud of. And how did we develop it? By working with a scientist in a laboratory. We have research to back its benefits and how it was developed. Another of our products is a species-appropriate probiotic derived from wolf feces, giving dogs a diverse range of probiotic strains that you won’t find anywhere else. This, too, is backed by scientific research. And again, our probiotics are not the only ones that can back up claims such as these.
This is research to celebrate! Every day we learn more and more, and that just gives us the ability to better help our pets. If you ask us, that’s what we’re all here for, no?
Do Dogs Need Probiotics?
Probiotics can be so helpful for many reasons. Ample evidence supports this. Do dogs need probiotics? In our humble opinion, yes, in many cases they do.
For dogs with digestive upset, probiotics can help support the gut to significantly reduce or even eliminate gut issues. We’re not just saying that – there’s research to prove it.
But it isn’t just dogs with gut issues. Even healthy ones can rotate probiotics several times a year to give the gut a boost. Others may benefit from them when entering new environments, when they’re stressed, or following a round of medications. That said, we know many healthy dogs who use probiotics daily (rotating between different types to feed that diversity) with resounding success.
Of course, since we’re all about context and transparency, not all dogs need them. That might sound funny coming from a company that sells many different probiotics, but it’s true.
For example, severely immunocompromised dogs should be given probiotics with caution and under veterinary supervision, as their immune systems may not be able to handle the strain of any bacterial load. And, as mentioned, some probiotics are not ideal for dogs with SIBO and you need to be careful which ones you choose, and you may want to rotate them in and out of the routine.
Also, remember, probiotics are just one tool in your dog-health toolbox. Just like building a solid house – you need more than one tool to do that – you need more than one tool to build solid health.
Do dogs need probiotics? Ultimately, that’s for you to decide based on your research.
Knowing More is Doing Better
Ultimately, our job as pet parents is to advocate for our animals. And that means reading more, doing research, learning how to interpret labels, reaching out to companies, and generally finding out as much as we possibly can.
While growing, the holistic pet health industry is still young and relatively small. That means our best hope of helping as many animals as possible is to collaborate, not to make general statements without context that ultimately scare pet parents. We can all keep learning every day, and being given more information is what helps us do that, and consequently helps us do right by our pets.
At Adored Beast, we are committed to transparency and giving as much information as we can to help pet parents everywhere do the best they can for their animals. We also celebrate those other companies we know share those same values (of which there are many).
We stand by our probiotics, for the other companies making incredible probiotics too, and for probiotics in general. If asked, do dogs need probiotics, our answer will almost always be yes, with a long list of reasons why and how to find the best one. Are probiotics a magic bullet that will solve all an animal’s issues? Of course not – that’s nonsense, and any company that tells you that is not being truthful. But do they help dogs? Way too many to count.
