Published: May 2021 | Updated: August 2022
Probiotics, or "good" bacteria, are one of the hottest topics in dog nutrition. Probiotics are one of several types of beneficial bacteria that support immune health, help digestion and absorption of nutrients, and improve overall health.
In fact, you could have taken a probiotic without even knowing it if you've ever eaten yogurt. Most yogurt contains live cultures of friendly bacteria offering us a tasty way to improve our gut health.
When you hear the word probiotic, most people and organizations are referring to gut-dwelling microbes that are beneficial or "friendly." All animals' gastrointestinal systems contain billions of them, which help in food digestion, battle pathogens, generate nutrients and vitamins, and strengthen the immune system.
The term comes from the Latin word "for" (pro) and the Greek word "life" (bio). Probiotics for dogs are an excellent addition to your dog’s general diet routine to ensure optimal well-being.
Do All Dogs Have Good Bacteria?
Bacteria can be found in any part of your dog's digestive system. Just a few bacteria reside in the stomach, but the amount of bacteria increases as you head down the intestines.
But, your dog's colon is home to the vast majority of bacteria.
The gut microbiome is the diverse culture of bacteria and other microorganisms in your dog's stomach. These bacteria work as a team and behave similarly to any other organ. The microbiome has been dubbed "the forgotten organ" by many scientists.
The gut microbiome is the collective genes of the bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that live in our intestines. It's an important part of overall health, and it's also impacted by diet and lifestyle choices like exercise.
The dog gut microbiome is similar to a human gut microbiome. Dogs naturally have a variety of beneficial bacteria in their digestive tract, which help them digest food, fight off pathogens and produce essential vitamins and nutrients.
Like humans, dogs can develop imbalances in their microbiome that lead to digestive problems or skin issues. The good news is that you can help maintain your dog’s gut health, and improve his overall well-being, by feeding him a high-quality, varied diet with fiber and probiotics included.
Natural Probiotics For Dogs
In many cases, our dogs’ bodies are able to maintain a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria. When they're sick or stressed (or dogs over age five), though, it doesn't take long for the bacteria in the digestive tract to lose their balance.
Diarrhea, nausea, and other problems can occur as a result. Or, sometimes, your dog may not even be displaying any symptoms yet have an unbalanced gut. This is where probiotics come into play.
The term "gut dysbiosis," or "gastrointestinal dysbiosis," refers to an imbalance of "good" vs. "unhealthy" bacteria.
Inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic pancreatitis, the development of asthma, and cancer have all been related to gut dysbiosis.
High-quality canine probiotics reduce, and in many cases prevent, the above conditions. In addition to the above conditions, high-quality probiotics aid in the prevention and treatment of allergies and atopic skin disorders, as well as the reduction of the risk of respiratory tract infections and the management of urinary infections.
There's also a decrease in cancer-promoting enzymes and bacteria metabolites, according to research. Furthermore, the metabolic system's efficacy is significantly improved.
What Else Can Cause An Imbalanced Gut?
If your dog's gut health is giving you trouble, there are a number of reasons why.
Stress is one of the biggest problems for dogs, especially if it's not handled properly or goes on for too long. A poor diet can also be bad for your dog's gut health, as well as allergies, antibiotics and antifungals (and other medications).
- Lack of exercise
- Lack of sleep
- Lack of hydration
All of these things can make it difficult for your dog's gut microbiome to function properly. If you want to help keep your dog's gut healthy, there are some simple steps you can take.
A big part of maintaining a healthy gut is making sure your dog is getting enough probiotics, which are found in yogurt, kefir and some supplements.
You can also supplement your dog's diet with prebiotic foods like garlic or a product that has been specially formulated for pets, like Daily Dog. Give your dog plenty of time outside so they'll have plenty of opportunities to get fresh air and exercise.
Probiotics are especially important for dogs because they have a shorter digestive system than humans. Because of this, it's much easier for them to get sick from things like food-borne illness or diarrhea. Luckily there are some simple steps you can take to help keep your dog healthy and happy!
Saccharomyces Boulardii For Dogs
Don’t let the scientific name intimidate you. We’ll call it S. boulardii to make it a bit less overwhelming. This type of yeast, with the complicated scientific name, can actually work wonders for your dog.
You would be surprised at how significant of an impact a high-quality probiotic such as this can have on your dog’s health.
S. boulardii is a type of yeast used as a high-quality probiotic and can be found in FullBucket’s Daily Dog Probiotic Powder. In its natural environment, it’s generally found growing on the skins of tropical fruits like mangoes.
A few of its benefits include:
1) Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
This yeast strain in particular has been shown to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and as a result, it has been promoted by holistic doctors and veterinarians as a viable probiotic therapy for the prevention and treatment of a variety of gastrointestinal problems in dogs.
2) Pathogen-Fighting Yeast
At the next bowel movement, the pathogenic cells and S. boulardii cells are also removed. In other words, once your dog goes out to go potty, both the yeast and harmful bacteria in the gut will be contained in his feces and out of his body.
3) Managing Diarrhea
S. boulardii has been shown to be particularly helpful in the treatment of diarrhea caused by systemic antibiotics. The antimicrobial effects of S. boulardii are not limited to animals with GI problems; it has been shown to reduce the occurrence of diarrhea in healthy dogs as well.
Probiotics For Good Dog Gut Health
Beneficial bacteria may sound a bit ironic, since we were taught from a young age that all bacteria are bad. But, beneficial bacteria plays a major role in your dog's and your own immune systems.
And, S. boulardii is one of the most beneficial bacteria.
Probiotics are good for your dog's gastrointestinal health, which means they help his stomach, small intestine, and colon. Probiotics can also provide relief from some of the side effects of medications that are used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs.
Probiotics improve your dog's immune system by promoting a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut and intestines. Your dog will be better able to fight off harmful bacteria that could make him sick if he has an imbalance in those beneficial bacteria levels.
When your dog (or you) take antibiotics, they kill off the bacteria in your body. However, they also kill off beneficial bacteria that help your immune system function properly. This can lead to digestive issues and other problems.
Remember, antibiotics are unable to destroy S. boulardii, which is one of the many reasons this particular strain comes highly recommended by veterinarians. And, it can be used in conjunction with antibiotics to protect beneficial gut bacteria and avoid antibiotic-related diarrhea.
You can find a highly concentrated form of S. boulardii in Daily Dog.
Read More:
Saccharomyces boulardii inhibits inflammatory bowel disease
Saccharomyces boulardii in dog with chronic enteropathies
Adherence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella to the surface of Saccharomyces boulardii
