Trying to find the best probiotics for dogs? You‘re in the right place. We looked for the best-rated ones, tested them on our own dogs, and compiled a list of the ones that passed our thorough checks.
Read on to see which ones we‘ve chosen and why.
Quick Glance at the Top 10 Probiotics
Petpedia is reader-supported. We may earn a commission from Amazon or other partners when you make a purchase through one of the links on our site. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure. Honest Paws Pre+ Probiotics
Best for Aging Dogs
- Supports the immune system
- Reduces bad breath
- Easy to use
FullBucket Daily Dog Probiotic
Best Vet Recommended
- Super concentrated
- For both active and aging dogs
- Eliminates bad breath
Nutri-Vet Pre & Probiotic Soft Chews
Best Tasting
- Excellent for bloatedness
- Contains inulin and yeast
- Stay fresh container
Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora Probiotics
Best for Combining with Antibiotics
- Contains antioxidants
- Can lower cholesterol levels
- Helps reduce flatulence
Dr. Mercola Complete Probiotics
Strongest Option
- Excellent for detoxification
- Supports B vitamins production
- High concentration of ingredients
PetHonesty Digestive Probiotics Chews
Best for Detoxification
- Boosts good bacteria production
- For dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Excellent enzyme blend
Fera Pet Organics Probiotics + Prebiotics
Best Organic Option
- Helpful for allergies
- 100% Organic
- Improves pet coat strength and look
Nusentia Probiotic Miracle
Best Value
- Gluten and dairy-free
- Effective against all gas problems
- Improves nutrient absorption
Innovet Advanced Probiotic Chews
Best for Inflammations
- Contains CBD
- Reduces stomach pain
- Anti-inflammatory
The Best Probiotics for Dogs in Detail
If you want to learn more, continue to see why we chose these products and how they can help you and your dog.
Honest Paws Pre+ Probiotics
Best for Aging Dogs
- CFU: 5 billion
- Flavor: Chicken
- Form: Sticks
- Weight: 1.05 oz
- Servings: 30
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Honest Paws is an esteemed company that creates CBD products for pets, such as CBD oil to topicals, creams, and probiotics. Each Pre+ Probiotics stick contains 5 billion CFU of a probiotic blend of six different probiotic cultures and inulin, a beneficial prebiotic. This makes it great for gut health and creating balance in your dog‘s stomach. Another essential ingredient in this product is — spinach leaf extract, which is excellent for cellular restoration and healthy aging support.
Honest Paws Pre+ Probiotics comes with 30 separate packets, each containing one stick equivalent to one serving. It‘s straightforward to use, and you can mix it with food or directly feed it to your dog — whatever is easier for you.
We tried the sticks on Bella, our eight-year-old Dachshund, and were amazed by their quality and ease of use. Bella has had constant problems with her stomach, and her stool was always soft. We tried the product, and at first, it didn‘t seem to have done anything. But after a week and a half, Bella‘s stool was completely normal again. She used it for the whole month and had no problems whatsoever. We can definitely recommend it for long-term stomach repair, especially to older dog owners.
Pros
- + Supports the immune system
- + Reduces bad breath
- + Easy to use
Cons
- − Takes time to show effect
Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites
Best for Diarrhea
- CFU: 3 billion
- Flavor: Pumpkin and chicken
- Form: Soft chews
- Size: 12.7 oz, 25.4 oz, & 35.3 oz
- Servings: 90, 180, & 250
Zesty Paws is famous for creating great treats for dogs and cats. Probiotic Bites for canine use are another one of their successes. The Zesty Paws probiotic comes in the form of soft chews enriched with six probiotic bacteria. It also includes pumpkin and papaya, excellent enzyme sources, to help improve digestion and stomach health. Moreover, no grains, soy, or corn are used.
Besides helping the gut and digestion in general, it‘s also useful for urgent situations. For example, if your dog has diarrhea, these chews can help stop it due to their specially designed formula. Furthermore, Probiotic Bites are also great for strengthening the immune system. What more can you ask?
It can be used for all sizes and ages, even for small breed puppies. Additionally, it comes in three sizes, so you can buy depending on your needs with no fear you‘ll run out or buy way too much. Customers are delighted with these chews‘ function and speed of action. However, some dogs might dislike the strong pumpkin taste. But don‘t worry. Now you can buy this product in chicken flavor too.
Pros
- + Enzyme-based
- + Natural flavor
- + Soy, corn, and grain-free
Cons
- − The pumpkin taste might be too intense for some dogs
FullBucket Daily Dog Probiotic
Best Vet Recommended
- CFU: 5 billion
- Flavor: Natural
- Form: Powder
- Size: 3.07 oz & 15.34 oz
- Servings: 30 & 150
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FullBucket Daily Dog Probiotic is one of the most potent veterinary strength supplements. It can improve your dog‘s gut health faster and safer. It contains Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii, a premium probiotic found only in the best products. Besides it, there are also other probiotic bacteria and yeast to enhance probiotic function.
The probiotic content is encapsulated to remain safe before entering your pet‘s stomach. Furthermore, the FullBucket probiotic powder is more efficient than many others. Therefore, it is excellent for both emergency situations and regular stomach balance support.
Oliver, a two-year-old Bernese, has struggled with terrible breath, and no teeth cleaning sticks or toothpaste could help. So, we decided to test this probiotic, as many dog owners suggested it helped them with this problem. We tried mixing the powder with breakfast. It didn‘t seem to change the taste of his food, and he ate it every morning with no fuss. After five days, the bad breath didn‘t completely disappear, but it definitely improved a lot.
Additionally, other dog owners noticed that it also helps with allergies, which is an added benefit. On the downside, some dog owners suggested that this product is a bit on the pricey side. But, if you think about it, it‘s worth it — it doesn‘t have to be used constantly and works twice as fast.
Pros
- + Super concentrated
- + For both active and aging dogs
- + Eliminates bad breath
Cons
- − On the pricey side
Nutri-Vet Pre & Probiotic Soft Chews
Best Tasting
- CFU: 1 billion
- Flavor: Cheese and liver
- Form: Soft chews
- Size: 6.3 oz
- Servings: 120
Nutri-Vet probiotic chews are among both dog and owner favorites due to their taste (for the former) and their price (for the latter). Like many other probiotics out there, Nutri-Vet chews are formulated with three different probiotic types, containing 1 billion CFU per serving. They also contain inulin for better immunity and digestion. Furthermore, they work wonders for dogs with bloated stomachs and gas problems.
What separates Nutri-Vet probiotic chews from other brands is that they contain natural liver and cheese, giving them the flavor 99% of dogs love. In addition, they come in a massive package of 120 chews that can last anywhere between one and four months, depending on your dog‘s size and health issues. The only problem we stumbled upon is that there are no instructions on how long you should use them and when to stop or pause. Still, overall, this is an excellent low-price product.
Pros
- + Excellent for bloatedness
- + Contains inulin and yeast
- + Stay fresh container
Cons
- − No clear information on how long to use
Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora Probiotics
Best for Combining with Antibiotics
- CFU: 1 billion
- Flavor: Liver
- Form: Powder
- Size: 1.06 oz
- Servings: 30
Purina is one of the top pet food brands, and their Pro Plan FortiFlora probiotics are another success story. They come in powder and tablet form, the latter being slightly more challenging to administer.
This product is made in a different way than others on the market. It uses only one highly functional bacterial probiotic. By using dried Enterococcus Faecium fermentation by-products, it achieves the highest quality possible.
It‘s excellent for diarrhea and IBS, and it‘s especially beneficial if your dog has to take antibiotics. Furthermore, it can also improve your canine‘s immunity and lower cholesterol levels. What‘s more, its liver taste matches well with any dog food brand, so supplementing won‘t be a hassle.
The only problem we identified is that it contains salt, which isn‘t typically found in probiotics or dog food. Still, the fact that speaks in FortiFlora‘s favor the most is that most customers who try it once never change it.
Pros
- + Contains antioxidants
- + Can lower cholesterol levels
- + Helps reduce flatulence
Cons
- − One of the ingredients is salt
Dr. Mercola Complete Probiotics
Strongest Option
- CFU: 38 billion
- Flavor: Natural
- Form: Powder
- Size: 3.17 oz
- Servings: 45
Dr. Mercola Complete Probiotics is the strongest probiotic you‘ll find on the market. It remains unmatched by any product, with 35 billion CFUs per serving. So, be careful not to overdo it when giving it to your pet since it‘s pretty potent.
It combines 14 different probiotic bacteria to achieve the best results in terms of digestion, bowel transit normalization, and immunity. This product is entirely free from irritants and doesn‘t contain wheat, lactose, GMOs, or soy. Just probiotic bacteria and cellulose that keeps them together.
It‘s completely neutral in taste, so it can be combined with any food. In other words, you can be sure that your pet won‘t notice it. Moreover, it isn‘t exclusively a canine-only probiotic, so you can use it freely for your cat too. Just keep in mind that it’s super powerful, so dose carefully.
Pros
- + Excellent for detoxification
- + Supports B vitamins production
- + High concentration of ingredients
Cons
- − It may be too strong for some pets
PetHonesty Digestive Probiotics Chews
Best for Detoxification
- CFU: 6 billion
- Flavor: Pumpkin & chicken
- Form: Chews
- Size: 9.5 oz
- Servings: 90
PetHonesty Digestive Probiotics Chews are an excellent easy way to help your pet get their gut health and digestion in balance. They use seven strains of premium bacteria probiotics and additional natural ingredients to make this product. Pumpkin and papaya enzymes are also included to help digestion and balance the digestive system. Furthermore, sweet potato and flaxseeds are in charge of general gut health and detoxification.
These chews are suitable for all dog sizes and weights, and they‘re especially beneficial for dogs with sensitive stomachs. In addition, PetHonesty Probiotic Chews are easy to administer and can be used to prevent and treat any stomach problems. And, since the pumpkin flavor doesn‘t suit all tastes, PetHonesty created the chicken flavor chews to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Pros
- + Boosts good bacteria production
- + For dogs with sensitive stomachs
- + Excellent enzyme blend
Cons
- − Not all dogs love the pumpkin flavor
Fera Pet Organics Probiotics + Prebiotics
Best Organic Option
- CFU: 5 billion
- Flavor: Natural
- Form: Powder
- Size: 2.54 oz
- Servings: 60
Fera Pet probiotic powder is an excellent and completely organic product for gut health. It contains 12 different probiotic strains and organic acacia and inulin for optimal results. It is fantastic for digestion and immunity and also has some added benefits. For example, pet owners noticed that their pets‘ fur becomes stronger and shinier than before after using Fera probiotic powder. It‘s also excellent for maintaining metabolism, weight loss, and energy boost.
The powder doesn‘t have a distinctive taste, but some dogs still notice it in their food. If your dog is one of those that can sense it, it‘s recommended to mix the flavor with more flavorful food to cover the taste. All in all, it‘s useful for households with cats and dogs, as it‘s suitable for both. This way, you won‘t have to buy two separate products.
Pros
- + Helpful for allergies
- + 100% Organic
- + Improves pet coat strength and look
Cons
- − Some pets dislike the natural flavor and noticed it in their food
Nusentia Probiotic Miracle
Best Value
- CFU: 1 billion
- Flavor: Natural
- Form: Powder
- Size: 1.55 oz & 4.62 oz
- Servings: 120 & 360
Nusentia Premium blend is another top-notch probiotic that can be used for both dogs and cats. It‘s created using only simple premium ingredients, including six different probiotics and one prebiotic. Expectedly, there are no common allergens like wheat, chicken, etc.
Since there are no chemical preservatives in it, this product needs to be kept in a dry and cold place, preferably a refrigerator. The premium blend works like clockwork for gas problems, nutrient absorption, excessive yeast, and other stomach problems.
One package contains between 120 and 360 servings and can last for months. And, naturally, with the 360-serving pack, you‘re really getting the best possible value for your money.
Pros
- + Gluten and dairy-free
- + Effective against all gas problems
- + Improves nutrient absorption
Cons
- − It needs to be refrigerated
Innovet Advanced Probiotic Chews
Best for Inflammations
- CFU: 3 billion
- Flavor: Duck and sweet potato
- Form: Soft chews
- Size: 12.7 oz
- Servings: 90
Innovet Advanced Probiotic Chews come from one of the most popular CBD companies. For this product, they combined the ingredients used for their organic, full-spectrum dog CBD oil with a carefully chosen blend of probiotics and prebiotics.
Pumpkin and sweet potatoes are also added as natural sources of probiotics and enzymes that help stomach health and digestion, reduce bloatedness, and maintain stomach bacteria balance. CBD extract and hemp seed oil help with inflammation, relieve stomach pain, and have calming properties. But beware that the manufacturer doesn‘t recommend this product for really young puppies.
We decided to test the product on Tina, a six-year-old Samoyed with an ulcer. We consulted the vet and got a green light to try it out. She‘s been in pain and hasn‘t been eating well for some time. After about a week, she got more cheerful and started eating better. We can testify that the product is excellent and that although it can‘t solve all the problems, it certainly helps.
Pros
- + Contains CBD
- + Reduces stomach pain
- + Anti-inflammatory
Cons
- − Unsuitable for really young puppies
Finding the Best Probiotics for Dogs — Buying Guide
Dog probiotics are a relatively new supplement category. As a result, many owners don‘t know what to look for when searching for the right one. With that in mind, we created this concise but comprehensive guide. Read on and find out how to choose the highest-quality probiotics.
CFU (Colony Forming Unit)
You should make sure your dog gets enough probiotic bacteria in each serving. For the best results, the recommended CFU number is anywhere between 1 and 10 billion. But, the exact number will depend on your dog‘s size and weight. Some more potent products can also be helpful but aren‘t necessary.
Prebiotics
You should always look for products that also contain prebiotics. Prebiotics are fibers that are additional help for your dog‘s digestive system. They increase immunity response and help with digestion. Inulin is the most common prebiotic you‘ll see in ingredient lists.
Prebiotics are an addition but aren‘t necessary. If a product has excellent ingredients but no prebiotics, that‘s not a reason not to buy it.
Ingredient Quality
Most probiotic products, especially chews, often contain other ingredients besides probiotics and prebiotics. It‘s important that these ingredients are natural and that the product has no potentially harmful added chemicals.
Form
Probiotics for dogs come in different forms (capsule, tablet, powder) and aren‘t equally easy to administer. For example, regular capsules and tablets are more challenging, as dogs tend to notice them even when completely covered by food and often won‘t take them.
That‘s why powder and chews are likely the best choices. You can mix the powder with your dog’s favorite food, and it probably won‘t even notice it. And with delicious chews, your pets will even enjoy taking their probiotics.
Price
Price is one of the essential factors in choosing probiotics for pets. Although you might be inclined to save on pet products, you shouldn‘t do so with probiotics. To get the safest, most efficient, top-quality products containing the best ingredients devoid of harmful chemicals, expect to pay anywhere between $11 and $40 per package.
FAQ
Should dogs take probiotics?
You should definitely give your dog probiotics. Like humans, dogs need good bacteria for balance and first-aid help when infections start. If you notice that your dog is eating grass or has problems eating food, probiotics will help.
Do probiotics for dogs produce side effects?
Probiotics for dogs generally don‘t produce any severe side effects. But, some bloating, gas, and diarrhea could occur in the beginning for some dogs. In addition, if your dog has some immunity issues, it might experience side effects from using probiotics.
Is taking human probiotics harmful to dogs?
Dogs can take human probiotics, as they aren‘t harmful to them. However, human probiotics generally don‘t contain dog-specific bacteria necessary for canines‘ optimal gut health. So, a high-quality product specifically designed for dogs will always be better.
Can a dog overdose on probiotics?
The short answer is no. While exceeding the recommended dose may lead to stomach issues (e.g., stomach discomfort, nausea, gas, diarrhea), it generally doesn‘t lead to a fatal outcome. This is because dogs‘ bodies typically absorb the amount of probiotics they need and then eliminate the rest.
Can dogs with allergies use probiotics?
Dogs with allergies can use probiotics. Some studies have proven that probiotics can help reduce skin allergies in dogs, so they‘re actually helpful.
While they don‘t directly stop your dog from scratching, they regulate bacteria levels in your pet‘s GI system, improving the immune system. This, in turn, drastically reduces the severity of skin allergies. However, if your dog is allergic to particular bacteria present in the probiotics, they should avoid taking them.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right canine probiotic doesn‘t have to be a challenge — you only have to pay attention to a few essential elements. That being said, we hope our guide helped you learn more about what you need to look for when buying probiotics. All you have to do is look at our list of best probiotics for dogs and choose the right one for your pet.