The 10 Best Probiotics for Dogs in 2024 (Reviews & Guide)

Trying to find the best probiotics for dogs? Youre 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 weve chosen and why.

Quick Glance at the Top 10 Probiotics

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Honest Paws Pre+ Probiotics

Best for Aging Dogs

  • Supports the immune system
  • Reduces bad breath
  • Easy to use

Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites

Best for Diarrhea

  • Enzyme-based
  • Natural flavor
  • Soy, corn, and grain-free

FullBucket Daily Dog Probiotic

  • 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

star 10

Best for Aging Dogs

  • CFU: 5 billion
  • Flavor: Chicken
  • Form: Sticks
  • Weight: 1.05 oz
  • Servings: 30
  • Use PETPEDIA coupon code for 15% Off!

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 dogs 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. Its 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 didnt seem to have done anything. But after a week and a half, Bellas 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

star 9.8

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, its 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 youll 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 dont 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

star 10
  • CFU: 5 billion
  • Flavor: Natural
  • Form: Powder
  • Size: 3.07 oz & 15.34 oz
  • Servings: 30 & 150
  • Use PETPEDIA coupon code for 20% Off!

FullBucket Daily Dog Probiotic is one of the most potent veterinary strength supplements. It can improve your dogs 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 pets 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 didnt seem to change the taste of his food, and he ate it every morning with no fuss. After five days, the bad breath didnt 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, its worth it — it doesnt 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

star 9.9

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 dogs 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

star 9.7

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.

Its excellent for diarrhea and IBS, and its especially beneficial if your dog has to take antibiotics. Furthermore, it can also improve your canines immunity and lower cholesterol levels. Whats more, its liver taste matches well with any dog food brand, so supplementing wont be a hassle. 

The only problem we identified is that it contains salt, which isnt typically found in probiotics or dog food. Still, the fact that speaks in FortiFloras 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

star 9.9

Strongest Option

  • CFU: 38 billion
  • Flavor: Natural
  • Form: Powder
  • Size: 3.17 oz
  • Servings: 45

Dr. Mercola Complete Probiotics is the strongest probiotic youll 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 its 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 doesnt contain wheat, lactose, GMOs, or soy. Just probiotic bacteria and cellulose that keeps them together.

Its completely neutral in taste, so it can be combined with any food. In other words, you can be sure that your pet wont notice it. Moreover, it isnt 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

star 9.9

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 theyre 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 doesnt 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

star 9.8

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. Its also excellent for maintaining metabolism, weight loss, and energy boost. 

The powder doesnt have a distinctive taste, but some dogs still notice it in their food. If your dog is one of those that can sense it, its recommended to mix the flavor with more flavorful food to cover the taste. All in all, its useful for households with cats and dogs, as its suitable for both. This way, you wont 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

star 9.8

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. Its 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, youre 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

star 10

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 doesnt 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. Shes been in pain and hasnt 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 cant 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 dont 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 dogs size and weight. Some more potent products can also be helpful but arent necessary. 

Prebiotics

You should always look for products that also contain prebiotics. Prebiotics are fibers that are additional help for your dogs digestive system. They increase immunity response and help with digestion. Inulin is the most common prebiotic youll see in ingredient lists.

Prebiotics are an addition but arent necessary. If a product has excellent ingredients but no prebiotics, thats not a reason not to buy it. 

Ingredient Quality

Most probiotic products, especially chews, often contain other ingredients besides probiotics and prebiotics. Its 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 arent 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 wont take them.

Thats why powder and chews are likely the best choices. You can mix the powder with your dog’s favorite food, and it probably wont 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 shouldnt 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 dont 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 arent harmful to them. However, human probiotics generally dont 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 doesnt 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 theyre actually helpful. 

While they dont directly stop your dog from scratching, they regulate bacteria levels in your pets 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 doesnt 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.

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