Can Dogs Take Human Probiotics? Dogs are known for their loyalty and love, and many people believe that they can also benefit from human probiotics.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help to improve gut health in both people and dogs. There are a few things to keep in mind when giving probiotics to a dog, however, as not all species of probiotics are safe for them and some may even have adverse effects.
Before giving your dog human probiotics, be sure to speak with your veterinarian first.
Probiotics for humans have been shown to offer a wide variety of health advantages, including the restoration of a healthy balance to the population of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, protection against diarrhoea, and even a reduction in the signs and symptoms of anxiety. It’s interesting to note that many of these same advantages also apply to your canine or feline companion.
Also Read: What is air dried dog food?
So, can dogs consume probiotics meant for humans? Yes, your dog might be able to eat some of your probiotics if you let him. The components must not pose a significant health risk or be poisonous.
Should you give your dog a human probiotic that hasn’t been studied in clinical trials on canines on a regular basis?
No, that’s not a good plan at all. This section will explain why.
Why Are Dogs Not Allowed to Consume Human Probiotics?
Before we get into the answer to that question, it is important to understand why it is recommended that dogs take probiotics in the first place.
To begin, you may head off future digestive problems by including probiotics in your canine companion’s regular diet. This will serve as a prophylactic precaution.
However, probiotics are more typically recommended when your dog is sick, getting treatment with antibiotics, or eating an imbalanced diet. All of these factors can lead to a reduction in the number of bacteria that live in your pet’s digestive tract, which can result in inflammation, diarrhea, and a diminished immune response.
You may bring your dog’s digestive system back into balance, lessen the intensity and frequency of diarrhea, and even strengthen their immune system by giving them a probiotic supplement in addition to their regular food.
If it’s true that dogs should get probiotics, then why can’t they have some of what you have?
Because, to put it plainly, your digestive system and the digestive system of your dog are not at all comparable to one another. The probiotics that we take include highly specific types of “good” bacteria, which are responsible for contributing to our overall sense of well-being. A good number of them are also useful for canines, but if the probiotic you purchase is developed for humans and hasn’t been properly evaluated on canines, there is a possibility that it can make your dog’s digestive system uncomfortable.
This could cause them to experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea – the very symptoms that you are attempting to protect them from in the first place by administering a probiotic to them.
Because of this, it is always best to err on the side of caution and offer your canine companion dog probiotics, also known as probiotics that have been demonstrated to be safe for dogs. Because of this, they are receiving the species-compatible probiotic strains that they require for a healthy digestive tract.
What Should You Look For in Dog Probiotics?
When looking for the ideal probiotic for your closest companion, there are a few things you need to keep in mind, including the following:
It ought to have multiple strains of species-specific “good” bacteria, such as the following: The health benefits of probiotics for dogs are maximized when the product contains a diverse range of bacterial strains. Your dog’s digestive tract should experience benefits that are unique to their species from each strain. Here are a couple things that are important to keep in mind:
- This particular strain of bacteria, known as Enterococcus faecium, has been shown to reduce digestive troubles in dogs brought on by illness or stress, as well as promote healthy skin, coat, and teeth in canines.
- Enterococcus faecium- This strain of probiotic bacteria is effective against different types of infectious diarrhea, such as acute, antibiotic-induced, and giardia or so-called “traveler’s” diarrhea. –
- Bacillus coagulans – This strain of probiotic bacteria is effective against different types of infectious diarrhea. Additionally, it can reduce the severity of common digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Probiotics are only effective while the organisms they contain are still alive: Each serving of an efficient probiotic should have millions of live organisms; in fact, the more organisms there are, the better. It is possible that some brands of dog food contain probiotics, however it is highly improbable that the bacteria will remain alive after being subjected to the production process.
- It ought to originate from a reliable source: It is not the case that supplements, in general, or pet supplements in particular, are subjected to the same levels of stringent control as pharmaceutical products. This is especially true of pet supplements. Because of this, businesses are under very no responsibility to publicly disclose the components of their products or provide evidence to support their claims regarding their potency and efficacy.
That is not acceptable to us, which is why we place such a high emphasis on testing. In order to confirm that our dietary supplement is risk-free, accurate, and effective, we subjected its components to a total of eight independent microscopy examinations. Discover more about our methodology for testing right here.
Signs Your Dog Needs a Probiotic
Probiotics can help dogs with a variety of issues, including digestive problems and skin conditions. Here are some signs your dog may need a probiotic:
- Your dog has a change in bowel habits, specifically diarrhea or constipation.
- Your dog is scratching more than usual or has redness or inflammation on their skin.
- Your dog is lethargic and has trouble staying awake.
- The vet has prescribed your dog a new medication that seems to be causing adverse effects, such as vomiting or diarrhea.
- You’ve noticed an increase in allergies in your home – especially to things like dogs, cats, feathers, grass, etc.
Conclusion
There are some potential side effects associated with taking human probiotics, such as gas and diarrhea. Consult with your veterinarian if you notice any negative side effects after giving your dog probiotic supplements.
