Is your dog experiencing discomfort due to irritated bowels or other gut health issues? We understand the challenges of dealing with such problems, and fortunately, there's a simple solution to help them feel better: probiotics and digestive chews designed specifically for dogs!
By incorporating these supplements into your dog's daily routine for a few weeks, you can expect to see various positive effects, including improved bowel regularity. Additionally, a healthier coat, enhanced cognitive function, and a fortified immune system are just a few of the advantages linked to maintaining a well-functioning digestive system.
Certain ingredients are essential in digestive supplements, with probiotics being a prime example. These live microorganisms naturally inhabit your pup's gut and play a vital role in maintaining its proper function. In fact, the gut plays a significant role in your dog's immune and digestive health.[1,2,3,4] Thus, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is vital for the optimal functioning of both their digestive and immune systems.
Many probiotics and digestive chews on the market come with hefty price tags and questionable additives. Selecting the right probiotic for your dog hinges on three crucial factors: the use of safe ingredients, effectiveness, and value for your money.
It can be difficult to find what the best probiotic for your dog is, that's why Great Life Tips has compiled a list from months of research about the best probiotics for dogs to keep your pup healthy and happy. But first, let’s go over the essential features and ingredients to look for and what to avoid when searching for digestive supplements, and how a daily supplement could improve your dog’s overall health.
Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs
Enhances Digestive System Functionality
- Alleviates digestive discomfort
- Promotes regular and healthy bowel movements
Helps Alleviate Blockages
- Serves as a natural laxative
- Addresses issues related to constipation
Enhances Overall Well-being
- Restores gut health
- Relieves problems associated with poor gut health
Reinforces the Immune System
- Fortifies the immune system
- Aids in defending against illnesses and infections
What to Look for in a Quality Digestive Supplement for Dogs
Considering all the beneficial qualities mentioned above, we've broken down a list of four key characteristics to always consider when searching for a high-quality digestive support supplement. Be sure to look for these essential features:
Natural Ingredients
Your beloved canine companion deserves nothing but the best, so ensure that the supplement you provide contains clean, natural ingredients. This means avoiding any additives like artificial coloring, synthetic flavoring, or questionable chemicals used to prolong shelf life. Some helpful and natural ingredients known to support digestive health in dogs include pumpkin, blueberry, and mineral oil—keep an eye out for these components in the list below.
Expertly Formulated
It's essential to place your trust in a dog supplement that has been formulated by experts in canine health. Make certain that the supplement you select has been created by veterinarians, so you can have confidence in the ingredients they have carefully chosen.
Includes Both Probiotics and Prebiotics
As mentioned earlier, a healthy gut translates to a healthy pup. While some dogs may naturally maintain a healthy gut, many benefit from a daily probiotic to ensure everything runs smoothly. Digestive supplements that incorporate a probiotic enzyme blend not only support a healthy gut but also boost your dog's immune system.
Prebiotics are another vital component of digestive supplements. Although they may sound similar to probiotics, these fibrous plants offer their unique advantages, including promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and enhancing digestive health. Prebiotics essentially serve as nourishment for the probiotics in your dog's gut, ensuring optimal functionality.
Features Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Introducing essential vitamins and minerals into any supplement you provide your dog is always a wise move. This is especially crucial in the context of digestion, as additional nutrients can greatly assist in getting your dog back on track to regular bowel movements.
What to Avoid When Buying Dog Probiotic Supplements
Formulas Without Probiotics or Prebiotics
We cannot stress this enough: probiotics are essential for your dog's well-being! While a digestive support supplement without probiotics may offer some limited assistance, the combination of prebiotics and probiotics works together to thoroughly cleanse their system from within, preventing episodes of diarrhea, constipation, or other gut-related issues.
Additives
Every substance you introduce into your dog's system should be natural and beneficial for their health. Unfortunately, supplement labels are at times designed to be deceptive or perplexing for consumers. This is because many supplements contain fillers, preservatives, potential allergens, and other unnecessary additives like artificial food coloring. These additives provide no medical benefits and may potentially lead to allergic reactions or sensitivities in your dog.
Be discerning and prioritize authentic ingredients—be vigilant in spotting harmful added components, and don't settle for anything less than what's healthy for your canine companion.
Top 5 Probiotic Supplements for Dogs
Based on our own extensive research, the metrics provided by our Great Life Tips Ranking System, and consideration of thousands of reviews by Shoppers just like you, we've compiled a list of what we've found to be the top five products in this category, on the market today.
1. PupGrade Digestive Support
Total Ranking
417 votes
9.7/10
A+
Overall GradePROS
- Comprised of Natural Ingredients
- Formulated by Veterinarians
- Contains Probiotics & Prebiotics
- Includes Essential Vitamins & Minerals
- Excellent US-Based Customer Service
- 90-Day, Risk-Free, Money-Back Product Guarantee
CONS
- Only Available Online
The Bottom Line
Our top choice is the PupGrade Probiotic & Digestive Chew, a veterinarian-formulated product that combines quality ingredients with an affordable price point. This product offers outstanding value with its compact packaging, enticing dog-friendly flavor, and a comprehensive list of natural, safe components. These nutrient-rich chews are designed to support a healthy digestive system and fortify the immune system.
They feature a diverse range of probiotic enzymes and prebiotics specifically crafted to promote gut health. Additionally, blueberry prebiotic powder, pumpkin powder, and mineral oil have been included to enhance digestive wellness and boost the immune system.
Furthermore, the company's robust return policy includes a 90-day, risk-free, money-back guarantee, highlighting their confidence in the product's effectiveness and quality.
*Results are based on the Great Life Tips Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn About Our Top Pick2. Probiotic Bites
Total Ranking
227 votes
9.1/10
A-
Overall GradePROS
- Comprised of Natural Ingredients
- Formulated by Veterinarians
- Contains Probiotics & Prebiotics
CONS
- Lacks Blueberry Prebiotics for Gut Health
- Limited Return Policy
The Bottom Line
Zesty Paw's Probiotic Bites present a comparable choice to PupGrade's product. They encompass probiotics, omega-3s, and natural ingredients tailored to enhance canine health. Furthermore, Zesty Paws offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and their product has garnered over 40,000 reviews on Amazon.
Zesty Paws secures the second spot on our list due to their chews being somewhat less concentrated than PupGrade's. Overall, PupGrade's chews boast approximately 25% more ingredients per chew. Additionally, Zesty Paw's chews lack some of the additional components found in PupGrade's formula, such as mineral oil and blueberry powder, which contribute to the latter's appeal.
*Results are based on the Great Life Tips Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More3. Digestion & Health Supplement for Dogs
Total Ranking
263 votes
8.7/10
B+
Overall GradePROS
- Natural Ingredients
- Veterinarian Formulated Brand
- Contains Probiotics & Prebiotics
CONS
- Not Served in Single Treat Form
- Not Practical for Larger Dogs
The Bottom Line
The Perfect Poop Digestion & Health Supplement for Dogs offers another compelling option, featuring a rich blend of nutrient-packed ingredients like pumpkin and flaxseed. Unlike some other products on our list, this supplement is not provided in a single treat format; instead, it is served in tablespoons. The package contains fibrous, grassy bits infused with probiotics and prebiotics to support a healthy gut.
It's worth noting that this product appears to be best suited for small to medium-sized dogs, as larger dogs require a significant daily quantity (5 tablespoons compared to one or two for small and medium-sized dogs). Additionally, if your dog is a picky eater, convincing them to consume this supplement may be challenging, as it doesn't come in a single chewable form. However, if your dog is enthusiastic about mealtime, this supplement might be an ideal choice. Customers have reported that their pups thoroughly enjoy both the chicken and cheddar cheese flavors.
*Results are based on the Great Life Tips Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More4. Probiotics for Dogs
Total Ranking
494 votes
8.3/10
B-
Overall GradePROS
- Comprised of Natural Ingredients
- Veterinarian Formulated Brand
- Contains Probiotics & Prebiotics
- Made in the USA
CONS
- Expensive
- Limited Return Policy
The Bottom Line
Probiotics by Tummy Treats stands as another commendable option on our list, primarily due to its high-quality probiotic and prebiotic blends. Featuring a 5-strain probiotic blend, these supplements are an excellent choice for kickstarting your pup's digestive health. Notably, they are crafted in the USA using natural ingredients.
However, it's essential to be mindful of their price point. As of the time of this writing, these supplements are priced at $49.97 on Amazon for a container containing 120 chews. It's worth noting that even dogs weighing less than 25 lbs require two chews, meaning the bottle provides only 60 servings or less per container. For larger dogs over 75 lbs, four chews are needed to experience the supplement's beneficial effects.
Despite the relatively high cost, many customers express high satisfaction with these digestive chews.
*Results are based on the Great Life Tips Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More5. Daily Probiotic for Dogs
Total Ranking
571 votes
7.9/10
C+
Overall GradePROS
- Contains Probiotics & Prebiotics
- Budget-Friendly
- Veterinarian Formulated
- Manufactured in the USA
CONS
- Difficult for Some Dogs to Chew
- Lacks Healthy Fats
- Limited Return Policy
The Bottom Line
Pet Naturals of Vermont's Daily Probiotic emerges as a favorable choice due to its inclusion of a probiotic blend featuring six strains of bacteria, coupled with a prebiotic fiber blend, all at an affordable price point of just $12 (at the time of writing). Additionally, these supplements are made in the USA and have been formulated by veterinarians. Furthermore, they are free from corn, wheat, and soy, consisting solely of natural ingredients.
It's worth noting, however, that these chews are exclusively available in a duck flavor. Despite this limitation, most customers report that their dogs thoroughly enjoy the taste. While the product lacks the inclusion of healthy fats, it serves as an excellent option for pet owners primarily focused on enhancing their furry companion's gut health. It's essential to consider that some customers have observed that these chews are somewhat tougher compared to other alternatives, so it's advisable for dogs with strong teeth, and may not be the best choice for older dogs.
*Results are based on the Great Life Tips Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
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