The 5 best probiotics for dogs to aid in digestion and gut health

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The best probiotics for dogs are beneficial bacteria strains that support their digestive health. Along with high-quality fiber-packed dog food, probiotic supplements can ease symptoms like diarrhea, itchy skin, and potentially anxiety. They can also help relieve chronic gastrointestinal (GI) distress like inflammatory bowel disease. That's because adding good bacteria to the gut helps lower inflammation in the GI tract, support digestion, and speed up the gut microbiome's recovery after a virus. 

We asked veterinarians what makes a good probiotic for dogs and researched dozens of supplements to make our recommendations. Our experts say that the best dog probiotics contain multiple strains of good bacteria that are easy to digest. Our top pick is Nutramax Proviable-DC Digestive Health Supplement, which may ease short-term and chronic GI problems. Our other picks come in chews and powder format, flavored and flavorless, so you can find the most appropriate supplement for your dog.

If your dog has symptoms of digestive issues and you're considering probiotics, be sure to talk to your vet first so they can rule out any serious medical conditions.

Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Our top picks for the best probiotics for dogs

Best overall: Nutramax Proviable-DC Digestive Health Supplement - See at Chewy

Best chews: Vet's Best Probiotic Soft Chews - See at Chewy

Best powder: Vital Planet Flora Dog Probiotic - See at Chewy

Best for diarrhea: Zesty Paws Probiotic Pumpkin Bites - See at Chewy

Best for chronic DI diseases: Visbiome Vet High Potency Probiotic for Pets - See at Visbiome Vet

Best overall

Nutramax is a well-established brand that makes some of the best dog supplements, and Proviable-DC has been tested and approved by ConsumerLab. This probiotic contains 5 billion CFUs and seven strains of bacteria, including Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and others recommended by Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou, a veterinarian and associate professor of food microbiology in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Connecticut. CFUs refer to the number of live microorganisms present in a probiotic. Amalaradjou recommends aiming for between 1 to 10 billion CFUs when choosing one of the best probiotics for dogs.

Nutramax Proviable-DC contains a combination of prebiotics and probiotics, a smart choice for a gastrointestinal supplement, says Dr. Mike Salkin, a veterinarian with JustAnswer. That's because a combination may help the bacteria strains survive longer in the gut microbiome.

This probiotic is more affordable than many competitors and convenient since it doesn't require refrigeration. Because it's safe for cats, it's also ideal for multi-pet households where pets may share food. A downside of this supplement is that it's only available in capsules, which may make it more difficult to give to your dog.

Best chews

Consistency is key for probiotics, making chews a great option if your dog rejects capsules or powder added to their food. Formulated by veterinarians, Vet's Best Probiotic Soft Chews contain six bacteria strains and a reported 1.5 billion CFUs per chew. However, independent testing by ConsumerLab found a count closer to 2.1 billion CFUs per chew. 

The chews are made with potato starch and dried chicken liver and are free of wheat, corn, and gluten for sensitive dogs. They also contain ocean kelp, which studies show contains natural antioxidants, and the prebiotic inulin for additional potential health benefits. They're intended to be taken once per day, and at only 16 calories per chew, they're appropriate for most dogs.

Vet's Best only offers this chew in chicken flavor. If your dog dislikes chicken, Finn Digestive Probiotics may be more appropriate. The beef-flavored chews are a bit less expensive but have not been tested by ConsumerLab.

Best powder

A powder probiotic is a good option for dogs that dislike tablets or chews. The Vital Planet Flora Dog Probiotic is a flavorless powder that you can easily sprinkle on or mix into your dog's food.

We like that this supplement has 20 billion CFUs and all of the expert-recommended bacteria strains. It also contains fructooligosaccharides, a prebiotic, and is certified by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), an organization which tests animal supplements to ensure their safety. 

Picky dogs may dislike the chalky texture of powder. We also wish the powder were available in flavored options for different tastes. If you'd prefer to purchase flavored supplements, Vital Planet makes probiotic bacon-flavored soft chews and beef-flavored tablets.

Best for diarrhea

If your dog has temporary diarrhea, usually from eating something they shouldn't have, their gut bacteria will temporarily be out of balance. While they'll likely get better in two to four days, giving them a probiotic alongside a highly digestible diet and fiber can help speed up the recovery, says Dr. Jan Suchodolski, a veterinarian and associate director for research at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine Gastrointestinal Laboratory.

In fact, a 2023 study in the Canadian Veterinary Journal found that giving puppies with acute diarrhea a multi-strain probiotic for seven days helped them recover much better and faster than puppies that went without. Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites contain six strains of gut-friendly bacteria at 3 billion CFUs per chew and carry the NASC seal.

They're a soft chew supplement, which makes them easy to feed most dogs. The chews contain flaxseed, garbanzo flour, papaya, and pumpkin, which are great sources of fiber that Suchodolski says is crucial to helping firm up stool alongside a probiotic. They are easy to dose for different size dogs (1 chew per 25 pounds), and you can purchase quantities from 10 to 250.

The ingredient list is longer than many of our other recommendations, so these treats may not be good for dogs with food sensitivities.

Best for chronic GI diseases

Studies show giving dogs a probiotic regularly can improve symptoms of chronic gastrointestinal problems, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and chronic diarrhea. Some research suggests this is thanks to the improved intestinal mucosa balance, while others point to lowering inflammation, which allows gut bacteria to thrive and restore the gut microbiota.

Visbiome, formerly known as VSL#3, makes some of the most widely recommended probiotic supplements for both dogs and humans. It contains Bifidobacterium longum and multiple Lactobacillus strains, both of which have been shown to be effective for chronic GI issues in the aforementioned studies. Moreover, ConsumerLab testing showed Visbiome Vet to be highly potent, with 225 billion CFUs per packet. While even more CFUs might not necessarily be better, Amalaradjou says that Visbiome Vet's predecessor, VSL#3, has been tested in humans and dogs and has had positive effects on some digestive conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease. 

We like that Visbiome Vet comes in powder form, which can easily be mixed with your dog's food, but it's also available in a capsule. And while it should be refrigerated for storage long-term to maintain the live microorganisms, it can be kept at room temperature for up to seven days for easier travel.

The main downside is that it's expensive, at $2.16 per dose. But the price may be worth it if you and your veterinarian decide a more robust supplement is appropriate for your dog.

What to look for in probiotics for dogs

Probiotics are essentially good bacteria or good "bugs" that naturally occur in the gut, Amalaradjou says. Your dog's gut can have an imbalance of these good bugs for a variety of reasons, from gastrointestinal inflammation to a poor diet. Probiotics help you get more of these good bacteria into your dog's system, creating a more diverse internal environment. Amalaradjou says this can aid digestion. Here are a few things to consider when shopping for the best probiotics for dogs.

Colony-forming units (CFUs): Make sure you're purchasing a product with a good number of CFUs. These are the live organisms that live in probiotics. Amalaradjou and Salkin say that, in general, products containing between 1 to 10 billion CFUs are a smart choice.

Storage instructions: Clear instructions are important to consider when shopping and should be easily accessible to the buyer, ideally on the brand's website and the package itself. For example, probiotics left for just 15 minutes in a hot car can impact their viability, so Amalaradjou recommends keeping a close eye on proper storage instructions to ensure the supplements remain viable. 

Live organisms: It's important to pay attention to the number of live organisms in a probiotic supplement. Amalaradjou says a brand should disclose the number of live organisms a product will have at the end of its shelf life. 

Expiration date: The best probiotics for dogs should also have an expiration date on the package, Amalaradjou says. Expiration dates should be clearly listed on the bag, bottle, or box containing the probiotics. 

Third-party testing and NASC seal: Suchodolsk says probiotics are an unregulated market, so testing from independent labs like ConsumerLab can help you determine whether a product is of sufficient quality. Another quality marker to look for is the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seal, which denotes a supplement is from an audited, trustworthy company.

Proven bacteria strains: There are dozens of probiotic bacteria strains, but most formulas use anywhere from 1 to 8. Most common are sub-types of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, two bacteria families that produce GABA, an important neurotransmitter that's quickly absorbed from the GI tract and a key influence on the gut-brain axis. While we don't have research comparing each strain head-to-head, Amalaradjou and Suchodolski recommend looking for a probiotic that contains bacteria strains shown through research or anecdotal evidence to be effective for gut health. Here are some of the most well-researched strains in canines:

• Enterococcus faecium is a lactic acid bacteria shown to improve loose stool alongside a healthy diet.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus is a bacteria strain naturally found in the gut. It adheres well to the intestinal mucus and strengthens the intestinal barrier function.
• Lactobacillus casei is one of the most studied probiotic strains. It has a high acidic tolerance, which means it can survive the passage through the GI tract and adhere well to the intestinal barrier.
• Lactobacillus plantarum is a well-studied probiotic strain with a high survival rate in the GI tract, a high genomic diversity, and it has been shown to be particularly beneficial on GI issues in puppies.
• Bifidobacterium bifidum is one of the dominant bifidobacterial species. It is highly adaptive, thrives in the gut, and may help reduce acute diarrhea in dogs.
• Bifidobacterium animalis has a high survival rate against GI acid and has been shown to help with acute diarrhea in dogs.
• Lactobacillus reuteri, another beneficial strain of the Lactobacillus family, can produce antimicrobial compounds to outcompete harmful microbes and promote a healthier gut environment.

How we selected the best probiotics for dogs

We selected the best probiotics for dogs based on the criteria shared by our experts and combed through peer-reviewed studies to determine the most gut-friendly bacteria strains. Then, we evaluated leading probiotics predominantly based on which live bacteria strains they contained, the number of CFUs, and if the formula had been verified by ConsumerLab or the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), which grants its seal for products from companies that are regularly vetted for quality and safety of their animal supplements. Lastly, we considered each supplement's storage instructions and whether the product had information about the number of live organisms. We also noted if products were flavored, their method of delivery (capsule, powder, chew), and their safety for cats in multi-pet households.

Dog probiotics FAQs

Should I give my dog probiotics?

The best probiotics for dogs may be helpful for some gastrointestinal conditions and upset, but they are not a miracle supplement. "For the most part, in dogs, when probiotics are used, they are used to help with digestion to support the immune system and to maintain a healthy gut," Amalaradjou says. Our experts say you should consult your veterinarian before starting your dog on probiotics. It's vital to rule out any potential underlying causes that may be serious and require more intensive care. For example, if your dog has chronic diarrhea, your vet may recommend a special diet as part of their treatment, and some flavored probiotic supplements could interfere with treatment.

What is the best probiotic for dogs?

The best dog probiotic is the one recommended by your veterinarian. If they give you the go-ahead to start your dog on probiotics, we recommend buying a supplement that is forthcoming about all of its components. Probiotic supplements should at least name their strains and the number of CFUs, provide directions for storage, have an expiration date on the package, and disclose the number of live organisms.

What are signs my dog needs probiotics?

According to Salkin, veterinarians and pet owners may consider giving probiotic supplements to dogs undergoing antibiotic therapy. Changes in the gut microbiome and accompanying symptoms, such as diarrhea, might indicate something is amiss. But Salkin says not to rush into buying a probiotic supplement with the hope that it will solve your dog's digestive problems. "A probiotic or prebiotic does not preclude a physical exam and testing in the form of blood, urine, and fecal testing," he says. If you suspect your dog might have gastrointestinal problems, talk to your vet first.

Do vets recommend probiotics for dogs?

Veterinarians may recommend the best dog probiotics to help ease digestive discomfort or maintain a healthy gut. Our experts say probiotic supplements may be helpful for your dog, but they should not be seen as a medication or as a solution for a potentially more severe problem.