Does your furry friend have a case of the runs that’s turning your home into a biohazard zone? We’ve all been there – standing in the middle of the living room at 3 AM armed with paper towels and wondering what in the world we’re gonna do about our pup’s explosive situation. If you’ve been frantically searching “do probiotics help dog diarrhea” you’re in the right place.
I’ve experienced the doggy diarrhea nightmare firsthand (my carpet still hasn’t forgiven me), and I’ve learned that probiotics might just be the unsung hero your dog’s gut has been waiting for.
What Causes Dog Diarrhea in the First Place?
Before we dive into the probiotic solution, let’s understand why your dog’s digestive system decided to stage a rebellion. Doggy diarrhea is one of the top reasons pet parents end up at the vet, usually clutching a poop bag and looking totally traumatized.
Common Causes (AKA Your Dog Made Poor Life Choices)
- Garbage adventures: Your dog’s amazing talent for finding and consuming things they absolutely shouldn’t
- Sudden food changes: Switching kibble without a transition period (rookie mistake!)
- Medication side effects: Antibiotics are notorious gut disruptors
- Stress and anxiety: Vet visits, boarding, or thunderstorms can trigger tummy troubles
More Serious Causes (Time to Call the Vet)
- Bacterial infections: Salmonella or E. coli are no joke
- Parasites: Those tiny freeloaders like Giardia can cause major problems
- Food allergies: Some dogs just can’t handle certain proteins or grains
- Foreign objects: Dogs have an unfortunate habit of swallowing non-food items
- Health conditions: Like colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or pancreatitis
What Are Probiotics and How Do They Work for Dogs?
So what exactly are these magical probiotics everyone keeps recommending? In simple terms, probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in your dog’s digestive tract Think of them as the good guys in an ongoing battle against the bad bacteria that cause digestive upset
Your dog’s gut naturally contains billions of these microorganisms (collectively called the microbiome). which help with
- Breaking down food
- Absorbing nutrients
- Strengthening the immune system
- Fighting off harmful bacteria
- Producing vitamins and other nutrients
When this delicate bacterial balance gets disrupted (by antibiotics, stress, or dietary changes), diarrhea often follows. Probiotics help restore order to the chaos by replenishing the good bacteria.
The Science Behind Probiotics for Dog Diarrhea
But do they actually work? According to research and veterinary experts, YES! Several studies have shown that certain strains of probiotics can be extremely effective at treating diarrhea in dogs, especially when it’s caused by:
- Antibiotic treatment
- Stress (like boarding or travel)
- Dietary indiscretions (trash can raids)
- Food sensitivities
Probiotics work by:
- Introducing billions of beneficial bacteria back into the gut
- Crowding out harmful bacteria
- Strengthening the intestinal barrier
- Reducing inflammation
- Supporting proper immune function
Some veterinarians even consider probiotics to be as effective as antibiotics for treating certain types of diarrhea in shelter dogs!
Best Probiotic Strains for Dogs with Diarrhea
Not all probiotics are created equal! Some bacterial strains are particularly effective for dogs with digestive issues:
- Bifidobacterium animalis (strain AHC7): Specifically helps with diarrhea
- Enterococcus faecium (strain SF68): Can shorten the duration of diarrhea episodes
- Lactobacillus acidophilus: Improves stool quality and frequency
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus (strain LGG): Effective against various types of diarrhea
- Bifidobacterium longum: May help with digestive issues
It’s important to note that dogs have different gut bacteria than humans, so dog-specific probiotics are preferable to human products like yogurt or human supplements.
When Should You Give Your Dog Probiotics for Diarrhea?
Probiotics can be particularly helpful when your dog experiences:
- Stress-induced diarrhea: Before travel, boarding, or other stressful events
- Antibiotic treatment: During and after courses of antibiotics
- Dietary changes: When transitioning to a new food
- Mild, non-emergency diarrhea: When they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t
- Recovery from illness: To help restore gut health
How to Give Probiotics to Your Dog
Probiotics for dogs come in several forms, and which one you choose may depend on your dog’s preferences and the severity of their symptoms:
Probiotic Supplements
These come as powders, capsules, treats, or pastes:
- Powders: Mix directly into food (my go-to method for my picky eater)
- Capsules: Can be hidden in treats or given directly
- Chewable treats: Easy administration for most dogs
- Pastes: Great for rapid delivery via syringe
Many vets recommend Purina Fortiflora for diarrhea, which gets excellent reviews from dog owners. It contains Enterococcus faecium, which is specifically known to help with doggy diarrhea.
Food with Probiotics
Some dog foods contain probiotics in their ingredients list, but the effectiveness is questionable. Bacteria are sensitive to temperature, air, and moisture, so it’s unclear if the probiotics remain alive long enough to be beneficial.
Human Foods with Probiotics
While plain, unsweetened yogurt or kefir contains probiotics, they’re not always the best choice for dogs:
- They may not contain the specific strains beneficial for dogs
- Many dogs are lactose intolerant
- They might contain sweeteners that are harmful to dogs
- There’s limited scientific evidence they actually help
Our Experience: A Real-Life Probiotic Success Story
Our dog Georgie once had a terrible case of diarrhea after eating some questionable canned food. We tried a bland diet, which helped a bit, but the loose stools lingered for over a week. After a vet visit to rule out parasites, we decided to try probiotics.
Within 48 hours of starting a quality probiotic supplement, we noticed his stools becoming firmer. By day 4, things were almost back to normal. It was seriously like magic!
Interestingly, we got conflicting advice – his primary vet recommended probiotics, while an emergency vet warned they might prevent his body from learning to fight bacteria on its own. In our experience, the probiotics definitely helped speed up recovery without any negative effects.
Beyond Probiotics: Other Ways to Help a Dog with Diarrhea
While probiotics can be super effective, they work best as part of a multi-pronged approach:
Pumpkin Power
Plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling!) is a miracle worker for doggy diarrhea. The soluble fiber absorbs excess water in the intestines and helps firm up stools.
- Small dogs: 1-3 teaspoons per meal
- Large dogs: 1-3 tablespoons per meal
Fasting (for Some Dogs)
Many vets recommend a 12-24 hour fast to give the digestive system a break. Think of it as hitting the reset button! Just make sure your dog always has access to fresh water.
BUT fasting isn’t appropriate for:
- Puppies under 3 months
- Senior dogs
- Toy breeds
- Dogs with existing health conditions like diabetes
Bland Diet
After the fasting period (or immediately if fasting isn’t appropriate), offer a bland, easily digestible diet:
- Plain boiled chicken and white rice
- Boiled, mashed sweet potatoes (no skin)
- Boiled, unseasoned eggs
- Plain, low-fat cottage cheese
Start with small, frequent meals and gradually transition back to regular food once stools firm up.
When to Skip the Home Remedies and Call the Vet
While probiotics and other home treatments can work wonders for mild diarrhea, some situations require immediate veterinary attention:
- Bloody or black diarrhea
- Diarrhea with vomiting
- Lethargy or weakness
- Signs of pain
- Fever
- Diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours
- Signs of dehydration (sunken eyes, dry gums, loss of skin elasticity)
Final Thoughts: Are Probiotics Worth It for Dog Diarrhea?
In our experience, absolutely yes. Probiotics have helped our dog recover from diarrhea faster on multiple occasions, and they’re a staple in our pet emergency kit.
For best results:
- Choose a high-quality, dog-specific probiotic
- Look for products with multiple beneficial strains
- Check the expiration date and storage requirements
- Start with a lower dose and increase gradually
- Be consistent with administration
Have you tried probiotics for your dog’s diarrhea? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Disclaimer: We’re not veterinarians, just dog lovers who’ve dealt with our fair share of doggy diarrhea! Always consult your vet before starting any new treatment, especially if your dog’s symptoms are severe or persistent.
Benefits for the whole dog
Advertisements touting the benefits of probiotics are plentiful claim that they are a cornerstone of preventative care. Probiotics boost the healthy gut bacteria that help digest food. They are a well-known therapy for diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. More recently, they’ve been found to counter urinary tract infections, immune system disorders and even anxiety.
In fact, mental health is one of the most exciting revelations about probiotics. Your dog’s gastrointestinal tract and brain are in constant contact, and proper microorganisms in the intestines can help with mental and emotional regulation.
The bacterium called bifidobacterium longum, commonly known as BL999, is at the forefront of this discovery. Dr. Ragen T.S. McGowan, a pet behavior researcher for Nestlé Purina, reported that dogs who took BL999 were less likely to bark, jump, spin or pace in situations that normally caused them distress. They were also more likely to explore a new environment.
The most widely known probiotics are the live cultures found in yogurt, but they are also available as nutritional supplements. Labels should include an expiration date, the exact species, the number of microorganisms in the product and a guarantee for the number of live organisms. The manufacturer should be able to provide support for the efficacy of the product, preferably a study by an external, accredited researcher.
Joseph J. Wakshlag, D.V.M. 98, Ph.D. 05, professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation, recommends Fortiflora and Proviable as probiotic products that have studies showing their efficacy. He says that VSL#3 may be helpful for patients with irritable bowel disease.
Probiotics are measured in colony forming units, or CFUs. The current recommendation for dogs is 1-10 billion CFUs a day.
Most dogs willingly eat probiotics added to their food. If your dog is pickier, a capsule form can be easily disguised in a treat.
Probiotics can be given proactively if you know a stressful event is coming up, such as boarding while you are on vacation or moving. Start giving the probiotics several days in advance so that your dog already has an ideal gastrointestinal tract.
You can also give probiotics daily as part of your dog’s long-term health care.
Probiotics normalize the conditions in the intestines by changing the local acidity of the digestive tract and releasing short-chain fatty acids.
This gives dogs a leg up if they end up ingesting harmful bacteria such as Salmonella. Probiotics help inhibit the growth of these bacteria by competing for the same nutrients and resources. Boosting the populations of helpful bacteria limits the nutrients available for the bad bacteria and reduces their numbers to levels that your dog can tolerate better.
Your dog’s gastrointestinal tract contains about 70% of their immune system, putting it on the front line for preventing pathogens from accessing the rest of the body. By normalizing the conditions in the digestive system, probiotics allow the immune system to function properly.
Probiotics are safe. Studies for any given product should show that the probiotic does not promote antibiotic resistance in other bacteria and that it is not pathogenic itself.
Severely immunocompromised dogs should only be given probiotics with caution and under veterinary supervision, as their immune systems may not be able to handle the strain of any bacterial load, regardless of its pathogenicity.
Diarrhea in Dogs: How To Quickly Treat At Home
FAQ
How long does it take for probiotics to work in dogs with diarrhea?
Can I give my dog probiotics if he has diarrhea?
How do I tell if my dog needs a probiotic?
What is best to give dogs with diarrhea?