How to buy dog probiotic treats
Let’s try a quick experiment.
If you would, pull up a web browser, head to the Google homepage, and type in any combination of the words “dog” and “probiotics.”
How many search results appeared?
Do you feel like pulling your hair out yet?
I’ve been in your shoes before, and wondered why it had to be so complicated. After all, all you really want is to support your dog’s digestive tract and overall health.
So today, I’m letting you in on the secret formula.
When it comes to your dog’s digestive health, there are 3 key questions to ask before you spend any amount of money on probiotic dog treats, probiotic chews for dogs, probiotic powder, or any other variation of beneficial bacteria to support a healthy gut.
Here’s three easy questions to help you navigate the muddy probiotic waters for your adult dog.
1. Will my dog eat these probiotics?
Palatability matters. If your dog won’t eat the probiotic because it smells bad or tastes terrible, then you just wasted money. The truth is, each dog has different preferences and you may not know for sure how they will react to a supplement until you do a test run. Since this is the case, look for a company that offers a money-back guarantee if your pup does not agree with the supplement.
A guarantee also shows that the company stands behind their product, which is a sign that they took great care in formulating and producing the probiotics.
2. Are these probiotics backed by valid research?
Probiotics for dogs can be created by anyone. It is crucial that you do some homework and check that the company you have decided to purchase from has invested time and money in their product formulation.
Some topics to investigate include which strains of good bacteria or yeast were used and how much probiotic is guaranteed to be in a serving.
The strains of bacteria (or yeast) used should be proven to be effective in dogs, not just in other species. It’s also important to remember that not all probiotics are created equal. Yeast-based strains, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, are super-powered organisms that may be more effective than some bacteria-based probiotics.
Additionally, be sure to read the guaranteed analysis on the supplement’s back label, which will be able to tell you how much probiotic (bacteria or yeast) is viable in one serving.
3. What form is the dog probiotic offered in?
It is no use buying a supplement that you will forget to give your dog. View supplementation like antibiotics--it will not work unless you are consistent and give the entire course. While you will see some changes within days of using effective probiotics for dogs, staying the course is best, as 30 days of use will really make an impact.
The best form of probiotic product to use will not only depend on your own lifestyle and how you want to use dog probiotics, it will also vary based on the different ages and stages of a dog’s life.
For example, puppies will benefit from slightly different concentrations and strains than adult dogs and in certain situations, a different form of probiotic will be beneficial. Additionally, a stressed canine digestive tract may require different nutrients than a probiotic simply used for daily support. In times of severe emergency, probiotics may be accompanied by other natural ingredients in a comprehensive repair formula.
There are many different forms of probiotics available: powder, paste, probiotic dog treats, and dog probiotic chews. Choose what works best for your lifestyle, your dog’s life stage, and the overall situation at hand.
Knowing the answers to these three questions will greatly simplify your search for the best probiotic supplement for dogs. Now you can rest easy knowing that your pooch’s GI tract and immune system are well cared for by loads of healthy bacteria and yeast.
