Tips on how to select the best probiotic supplement for dogs
Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from gastrointestinal upsets from time to time. In fact, according to several studies, gastrointestinal problems are the second most common health problem in dogs, after skin diseases. Common causes of these gastrointestinal diseases include parasites such as hookworm, giardia, and whipworm and giardia. A dog’s tendency to eat anything, such as table scraps, garbage in the trash can, and drinking from the toilet, are also some of the common causes of gastrointestinal illnesses.
Many trusted veterinarians say that to resolve acute and chronic gastrointestinal disorders, giving dogs probiotic supplements is a good idea. When dogs ingest these supplemental probiotics, the “good bacteria” that live in the gut can help aid digestion and prevent gastrointestinal illness in your canine friends.
There are several probiotic supplements for dogs on the market today. How can you make sure you choose the best one for your pet? Here are some tips you can follow:
Read the species and strains of probiotics that the product has.
A good supplement should have at least 10 dyes or probiotic species. To illustrate this, let’s take for example Lactobacillus acidophilus – a particular form of probiotic. If you are purchasing a product that has this ingredient, please note that Lactobacillus is the genus, acidphilus is the species, and DDS-1 is the strain. The product you will buy must include at least 10 of the above examples. Keep in mind that the more strains the product has, the better, as its diversity will ensure that the good flora in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract is varied enough to protect against all the bad strains of bacteria.
Take note of the number of Colony Forming Units or CFU per gram.
CFUs are a scientific measure of the viable microbes or bacteria in a probiotic. Make sure the dog probiotic supplement you get contains at least 20 million CFUs per gram. However, a product containing billions of CFUs is of course more desirable. This is to ensure that enough viable probiotics reach the dog’s gastrointestinal system.
Make sure that the product meets the GMP requirements.
Don’t be easily fooled by any product that claims to be probiotic. Some of these products may not even contain clinically validated strains. To ensure you purchase the best probiotic supplement for your dog, choose one that meets or exceeds the “Good Manufactured Products” or GMP ISO requirements. Some products may have labels that do not contain this detail, so take the time to contact the manufacturer or go online.
Check the specified storage conditions.
Finally, find out where the product should be stored to ensure maximum survival of the probiotic. Some products may also require specialized storage requirements that you may not be able to meet, so take the time to follow this advice.
Read more useful information about probiotics for dogs here.