Does Giving Dogs Probiotics for Diarrhea Work?

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are not a reference to a single type of microorganism, but rather a collective term for living microorganisms that can benefit the host by improving the balance of the host's intestinal flora. In a healthy dog, the intestines contain beneficial bacteria, harmful bacteria, and conditional pathogenic bacteria. The beneficial bacteria fall under the category of probiotics. Since probiotics play a positive role in maintaining flora balance and preventing diarrhea caused by flora imbalance, many pet owners believe that giving their dogs probiotics can help alleviate diarrhea. However, it's important to note that probiotics have specific usage methods, and misuse may not yield the desired results.

How to Properly Use Probiotics

1. When a dog has diarrhea, it indicates that the balance of its intestinal flora has been disrupted. It's correct to supplement with probiotics in this situation, but it's crucial to understand that not all probiotics are effective for treating diarrhea. Common probiotics include lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, and bacillus subtilis, among others. If a dog's diarrhea is due to a lack of lactobacillus, then simply feeding it probiotics that only contain bifidobacterium will not alleviate the diarrhea. Therefore, it's essential for pet owners to research the basic information of probiotic products before making a choice.

2. Some pet owners may split a single pack of probiotics into multiple doses to extend its effectiveness, but this is actually incorrect. Probiotics are living bacteria, and once they come into contact with oxygen, they begin to die. The longer they are stored, the less effective they become. Therefore, probiotics should be dissolved in warm water and administered to the dog as soon as the pack is opened.

3. Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria, and probiotics are also bacteria. If they are used together, the probiotics will be destroyed as soon as they enter the dog's body, rendering them ineffective. Therefore, probiotics should not be used concurrently with antibiotics.

The dosage of probiotics should be strictly controlled according to the instructions, and it's important not to feed dogs probiotics meant for humans or to substitute them with yogurt, as these can hinder the effectiveness of probiotics. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to consult an online veterinarian.