Probiotics For Dogs

Canine Probiotics Is Not Just Yogurt

Have you, along with many other dog owners, long known the benefits of probiotics for dogs?

Well-long before anyone really knew about beneficial microorganisms with the name "probiotic," owners of show dogs were mixing yogurt with kibble to give their dogs' coat an extra shine and to combat diarrhea caused by the stress of constant travel.

As anecdotal evidence accumulated and holistic approaches to both animal and human health gained scientific acceptance and popularity with the general public toward the end of the 20th century, so too did the wisdom of giving probiotics for dogs become more widely known.

In the course of the past few decades, scientific organizations have begun to run clinical trials, testing many of the more serious claims made by advocates of probiotics. And the result of these studies thus far? Many of the claims made for probiotics, for dogs as well as humans, have been validated.

Studies have proven the benefits of probiotics for dogs with regard to:

• Digestive health, where probiotics are most commonly prescribed and where most of the research has been done.
• Overall vitality and immune response.

Anecdotal evidence about the results of giving canine probiotics to dogs, combined with research done on probiotics and humans, suggests that probiotics may be useful for dogs in either the prevention or treatment of everything from allergies to certain cancers.

What Difference Exists in Pet Probiotics for Dogs and Humans?

For the most part, probiotics serve the same function in both dogs and humans. The differences lie in the divergent structure of canine and human digestive tracts, and the different nutrient needs of the two species.

Thus, while most probiotics that are beneficial to humans are also beneficial to dogs and vice versa, there are a few cases where particular strains are more helpful to one species or the other.

For this reason, even though human probiotic sources will almost certainly be beneficial to dogs as well, canines may derive the greatest benefit from a high quality probiotic supplement formulated specifically for dogs.

To give a specific example, the probiotic bacteria Enterococcus faecium has been proven to enhance immune response in puppies if given from the time of weaning to one year of age, and almost certainly provides a superior immune response for adult dogs as well.

For this reason, many well-respected probiotic supplement brands such as Protexin® make sure to include Enterococcus faecium among their ingredients.

There is no such research supporting this particular use for humans, and in fact Enterococci bacteria have produced an opportunistic antibiotic-resistant strain that occasionally appears with harmful effects in human hospitals.

This does not indicate, however, that the bacteria are harmful when given in probiotic form to dogs or humans, as no problems have ever been reported from either use.

European Union Food Safety (EFSA) Regulations And Probiotics

Through a quirk of EFSA rules, probiotics intended for animals are classified as "feed additives for animals," a classification that faces more difficult hurdles to approval than human probiotics. Efforts are being made to classify these probiotics under a QPS ("Qualified Perception of Safety") standard, as they have been in wide use without harmful effect for many decades.

However, as recently as October 2009 and June 2010, over 280 claims for probiotics (190+ in October 2009 and 90+ in June 2010) from a variety of clinical trials were rejected, regardless of statistically significant outcomes indicating both safety and effectiveness.

In one case, dogs were fed 50 times the recommend maximum dosage of a probiotic supplement for over three months. Not a single dog showed any negative effects whatsoever.

Yet a review board, acknowledging the outcome, claimed the trial failed to provide evidence of safety.

With standards like these, it is not surprising that absolutely no results were approved as valid in establishing either safety or efficacy.

While one understands the desire of the EFSA panel to ensure maximum safety, one must suspect the criteria of being too strict in this instance. It is notable that almost no claims were rejected because of statistical results. Rather, in nearly every case, the positive statistical results were thrown out due to "inadequate experimental design".

In the United States, Europe, and the rest of the world, probiotics have been used in one form or another for over a century with no adverse results.

We can only hope the EFSA will either clarify its objections or move to allow probiotic benefit and safety claims under the QPS standard in the immediate future.

Differences Among Different Brands of Probiotics for Dogs

There are so many brands of probiotics available that the sheer range of choice can easily be overwhelming to the consumer. But it is possible to make an intelligent decision as to which to purchase.

Some of the criteria to consider when choosing a probiotic supplements for your dog include:

• Which strains of bacteria are used?
• Is it stabilized?
• What level of potency does it contain?
• How does it need to be stored (i.e. does it require refrigeration)?
• What form of supplement are you looking for? (i.e., capsules, paste, etc.)
• What is the reputation of the manufacturer?

Some Popular Brands of Probiotics for Dogs

If you choose to give your dog a probiotic supplement, there are a variety of quality brands to choose from. In the United States, some of the most respected and well known brands include:

• FastrackWysong
• Jarrow Pet Formulas
• Purina FortiFlora

These are only a few of the many brands of probiotic supplements out there.

Some are of lower quality. I strongly encourage you to do your own research or speak to a veterinarian before ordering or purchasing any supplement.

In Europe Protexin® (which I am using in my practice) is the one of the best and they have long been approved. They are based in England and make great pet probiotics, not just for dogs and cats, also horses.