The best probiotics for dogs, selected with veterinary guidance

Adding probiotics to your dog's diet may help reduce inflammation in their gastrointestinal (GI) tract, improve digestion, speed recovery of the gut microbiome after a virus, and ease diarrhea. Even more, the best probiotics for dogs can offer benefits beyond digestive support. Research shows these beneficial bacteria may also help manage issues such as itchy skin and possibly even anxiety.

To make our recommendations for this guide, we consulted veterinarians about what's essential to a good probiotic supplement and evaluated dozens of products. Our experts say the most effective options contain multiple strains of easy-to-digest bacteria with proven benefits for canine digestive function and health.

Our top pick is Nutramax Proviable-DC Digestive Health Supplement, which may help ease short-term and chronic GI problems. We've also included flavored chews and unflavored powders among our recommendations, giving you flexibility to choose the format that's best for your dog.

If your dog is showing symptoms of digestive issues and you're considering giving them probiotics, consult your veterinarian first to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Our top picks for the best probiotics for dogs

Best overall: Nutramax Proviable-DC Digestive Health Supplement - See at Chewy

Best chews: Vet's Best Probiotic Soft Chews - See at Chewy

Best powder: Vital Planet Flora Dog Probiotic - See at Chewy

Best for diarrhea: Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites - See at Chewy

Best for chronic DI diseases: Visbiome Vet Advanced GI Care - See at Walmart

Best overall

Nutramax is a well-established brand that makes some of the best dog supplements, including Proviable-DC. The veterinarian-recommended probiotic has also been tested and approved by ConsumerLab, an independent testing organization that evaluates supplements for purity, potency, disintegration, and overall brand integrity.

Proviable-DC is available as a powder that contains 5 billion CFUs (colony-forming units), a measure of the number of live microorganisms in a probiotic. Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou, a veterinarian and associate professor of food microbiology in the department of animal sciences at the University of Connecticut, recommends selecting a probiotic with between 1 and 10 billion CFUs. The formula contains seven strains of bacteria, on the higher end of what's typically found in the best probiotics for dogs, including Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and other strains recommended by Amalaradjou.

The supplement also contains prebiotics, a type of fiber that works in conjunction with probiotics to enhance their effectiveness. This combination is a smart choice for a gastrointestinal supplement because it may help the bacteria strains survive longer in the gut microbiome, says Dr. Michael Salkin, a veterinarian with JustAnswer.

We appreciate that Proviable-DC is more affordable than many of the other probiotics we reviewed and that it doesn't require refrigeration, making it easier to store. It's also safe for cats, which can be helpful in multi-pet households where animals access each other's food. The main drawback is that it's only offered as powder-filled capsules that you sprinkle over your dog's food.

Best chews

Even the best dog probiotics won't be as effective if they aren't given consistently. Chews can make dosing easier, especially for dogs that reject powder. Formulated by veterinarians, Vet's Best Probiotic Soft Chews contain six bacteria strains and list 1.5 billion CFUs per chew. Independent testing by ConsumerLab measured a higher amount, closer to 2.1 billion CFUs per chew.

These chews are made with potato starch and dried chicken liver and are free of wheat, corn, and gluten, making them safe for dogs with certain food sensitivities. They also include the prebiotic inulin along with ocean kelp, which contains natural antioxidants that research suggests may have benefits for animal health. Designed for once-daily dosing, each chew contains just 16 calories, which suits most dogs' daily treat calorie budget.

Vet's Best Probiotic Soft Chews come only in chicken flavor. If your dog isn't a fan of chicken, Finn Digestive Probiotics could be a better alternative. The beef-flavored chews are a bit less expensive but have not undergone third-party testing.

Best powder

A powdered probiotic may be a good option for dogs that refuse tablets or chews. Vital Planet Flora Dog Probiotic comes as an unflavored powder that you can easily sprinkle over on or mix into your dog's food.

This formula provides 20 billion CFUs and includes all of the bacteria strains recommended by our experts. It also contains the prebiotic fructooligosaccharides and carries the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal. The NASC is a nonprofit organization that audits animal supplement companies for quality control and verifies ongoing compliance with manufacturing practices, labeling standards, and adverse event reporting requirements.

Some picky dogs may dislike powder's chalky texture, and it isn't available in different flavors. However, Vital Planet offers probiotic bacon-flavored soft chews and beef-flavored tablets.

Best for diarrhea

Diarrhea is fairly common in dogs, usually from eating something they shouldn't have. When this happens, the balance of bacteria in the gut can become temporarily unbalanced. While most episodes pass in two to four days, adding a probiotic to a highly digestible, high-fiber diet can help speed up the recovery, says Dr. Jan Suchodolski, a veterinarian and associate director for research at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine Gastrointestinal Laboratory.

Research supports this. A study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal found that giving puppies with acute diarrhea a multi-strain probiotic for seven days helped them recover much better and more quickly than puppies that went without. Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites contain six strains of gut-friendly bacteria and have 3 billion CFUs per chew. The product also carry the NASC Quality Seal.

In addition to probiotics, the chews contain flaxseed, garbanzo flour, papaya, and pumpkin, which are great sources of fiber that Suchodolski says are crucial in helping firm up stool. Their soft texture makes them easy to feed to most dogs, and dosing is straightforward — one chew per 25 pounds. You can purchase them in quantities from 10 to 250 chews.

Because the ingredient list is longer than that of many of our other recommendations, these chews may not be a good choice for dogs with food sensitivities.

Best for chronic GI diseases

Studies show that giving dogs a probiotic regularly can ease symptoms of chronic gastrointestinal conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and chronic diarrhea. Some studies attribute these benefits to improved intestinal mucosal balance, while other studies point to reduced inflammation that allows gut bacteria to thrive and restore the gut microbiome.

Visbiome, formerly known as VSL#3, manufactures some of the most widely recommended probiotic supplements for both dogs and humans. Visbiome Vet Advanced GI Care contains Bifidobacterium longum, along with several Lactobacillus strains, both of which have shown effectiveness for chronic GI issues in the aforementioned studies.

ConsumerLab testing found that Visbiome Vet is highly potent, measuring 225 billion CFUs per packet. While a higher CFU count isn't necessarily better, Amalaradjou says that Visbiome Vet's predecessor, VSL#3, has been studied in both people and dogs and has shown positive effects for certain digestive conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease.

We like that Visbiome Vet comes in a powder that is easy to mix with your dog's food, and it's also available in capsule form. To maintain the live microorganisms, it should be refrigerated for long-term storage. However, it can be kept at room temperature for up to seven days.

The main drawback is its cost, around $2.50 per dose. However, the higher price may be worth it if you and your veterinarian decide a more robust supplement is most appropriate for your dog.

What to look for in probiotics for dogs

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria, also known as good "bugs," that naturally exist in the gut, Amalaradjou says. A dog's gut can have an imbalance of these good bugs for a variety of reasons, including gastrointestinal inflammation or a poor diet. Probiotic supplements can help dogs get more beneficial bacteria and promote a more diverse microbiome, which Amalaradjou says can aid digestion and potentially have other positive effects on a dog's health.

Here is what to keep in mind when shopping for the best probiotics for your dog.

Colony-forming units (CFUs): Choose a product with a good number of CFUs, which are the live organisms in a probiotic supplement. Amalaradjou and Salkin say that products containing between 1 and 10 billion CFUs are a smart choice.

Expiration date and live organisms: A product should clearly display an expiration date on the packaging. Amalaradjou says a brand should also specify how many live organisms will be present at the end of the product's shelf life.

Dosing and storage instructions: Products should include clear dosing instructions, either on the label or the brand's website. Amalaradjou also recommends closely following storage instructions to ensure viability. For example, probiotics left in a hot car for just 15 minutes may become less viable.

Third-party testing and NASC Quality Seal: Animal supplements, including probiotics, are an unregulated market, so independent testing from organizations like ConsumerLab can help you determine whether a product is of sufficient quality, Suchodolsk says. Another quality marker is the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal, which shows that a supplement is from a company that has been audited and meets established quality control standards.

Proven bacteria strains: There are dozens of probiotic bacteria strains, but most formulas contain between one and eight. The most common are subtypes of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, two bacteria families that produce GABA, an important neurotransmitter that's quickly absorbed in the GI tract and has a key influence on the gut-brain axis. While research comparing each strain head-to-head is limited, Amalaradjou and Suchodolski recommend looking for a probiotic that includes bacteria strains supported by research or anecdotal evidence for effectiveness in gut health. Here are some of the most well-researched strains in canines:

• Enterococcus faecium: A lactic acid bacteria shown to improve loose stools when combined with a healthy diet
• Lactobacillus acidophilus: Naturally found in the gut, this strain adheres well to the intestinal mucus and strengthens intestinal barrier function
• Lactobacillus casei: One of the most researched probiotic strains, with a high acidic tolerance that allowis it to survive the passage through the GI tract and adhere well to the intestinal barrier
• Lactobacillus plantarum: A well-studied probiotic strain with a high survival rate in the GI tract, high genomic diversity, and notable benefits for puppies with GI issues
• Bifidobacterium animalis: A probiotic strain with a high survival rate against GI acid that helps with acute diarrhea in dogs
• Lactobacillus reuteri: Another beneficial strain of the Lactobacillus family, producing antimicrobial compounds that outcompete harmful microbes and support a healthier gut environment

How our picks for the best dog probiotics compare

How we selected the best probiotics for dogs

We selected the probiotics in this guide using the criteria outlined by our experts and combed through peer-reviewed to identify the most beneficial bacteria strains for gut health.

Our evaluations of probiotics focused primarily on the specific live strains included, the total CFU count, and whether the product had been independently verified by ConsumerLab or carried the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal, which is granted to companies that undergo regular audits for supplement safety and quality.

We also assessed each supplement's dosage instructions, storage requirements, and whether the label disclosed the number of live organisms present. Finally, we looked at factors that could support consistent use and acceptance among dogs, such as flavor options, delivery format (capsule, powder, chew), and whether the supplement is safe for multi-pet households.

Dog probiotics FAQs

What is the most effective probiotic for dogs?

Our top overall pick is Nutramax Proviable-DC Digestive Health Supplement. It's been independently verified by ConsumerLab and is frequently recommended by veterinarians. However, the best probiotic for your dog is ultimately the one your veterinarian recommends. If your vet gives you the go-ahead to start your dog on a probiotic, look for a product that's transparent about its formulation. It should clearly list its specific bacteria strains and CFU count, provide storage directions and an expiration date, and disclose the number of live organisms it contains.

How do I tell if my dog needs a probiotic?

The best probiotics for dogs can help alleviate some gastrointestinal conditions and stomach upset, but they aren't a cure-all. "For the most part, in dogs, when probiotics are used, they are used to help with digestion to support the immune system and to maintain a healthy gut," Amalaradjou says. Our experts recommend speaking with your veterinarian before starting your dog on probiotics. It's important to rule out more serious underlying conditions that require more intensive care. For example, if your dog has chronic diarrhea, your vet may recommend a special diet as part of their treatment, and some flavored probiotic supplements could interfere with treatment.

Do vets recommend probiotics for dogs?

Veterinarians sometimes recommend probiotics to help ease digestive discomfort or promote gut health. While these supplements can be supportive, they shouldn't be viewed as a medication or solution for a potentially more serious problem.

What are signs my dog needs probiotics?

Salkin says veterinarians and pet owners sometimes give probiotic supplements to dogs undergoing antibiotic treatment. Disturbances to the gut microbiome and accompanying symptoms, such as diarrhea, can signal something is amiss. However, Salkin says not to rush into buying a probiotic supplement expecting it will resolve your dog's digestive problems. "A probiotic or prebiotic does not preclude a physical exam and testing in the form of blood, urine, and fecal testing," he says. If you suspect your dog has gastrointestinal distress, your first step should be consulting your veterinarian.

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