The 15 Best Probiotics For Dogs in 2025: Vet-Approved Brands
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Maintaining a healthy gut is just as important for your dog as it is for you. Probiotics—beneficial bacteria that support digestion and immune function—can play a powerful role in your dog’s overall health. Whether your pup struggles with allergies, upset stomach, frequent antibiotics, or you want to boost their wellness, the right probiotic supplement can make a noticeable difference. In this guide, we break down the best probiotics for dogs based on strain quality, CFU count, delivery method, and real pet owner reviews. From powders to chews, you’ll find trusted options that support gut health, reduce inflammation, and promote a happier, healthier pup.
Best Probiotics For Dogs — At A Glance
The Best Probiotics For Dogs According to Science
Dog probiotics are increasingly used to support canine health, particularly for gut health, immunity, and specific conditions such as diarrhea, obesity, and chronic diseases. According to the latest research and studies, the most effective and beneficial probiotics for dogs include:
| Probiotic Strain | Examples | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus species | L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. fermentum, L. reuteri, L. casei | Improve gut health, reduce diarrhea duration, enhance immune function, increase beneficial gut bacteria, reduce harmful bacteria |
| Bifidobacterium species | B. animalis subsp. lactis, B. lactis | Support gut microbiota balance, reduce inflammation, improve metabolic health (especially in obese or elderly dogs) |
| Enterococcus faecium | E. faecium | Regulate gut microbiota, support energy metabolism, reduce systemic inflammation (especially in obese dogs) |
Sources:[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8],[9]
Safety and special considerations
- Probiotic supplementation is well-tolerated in dogs, with no significant adverse effects reported in studies.[3],[7],[8]
- Effects may be more pronounced in elderly or immunocompromised dogs. Responses can vary based on the dog’s baseline gut microbiota.[2],[4]
- Probiotics can be beneficial when used in combination with prebiotics and antioxidants, particularly for managing chronic conditions.[2],[9]
How To Pick The Best Probiotics For Your Dog
| Factor | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Strain Specificity | Named strains like L. acidophilus, B. lactis, E. faecium | Different strains offer different benefits—target gut health, immune support, or inflammation control. |
| Guaranteed CFUs | At least 1–5 billion CFUs per serving | Ensures there are enough live microorganisms to be effective. |
| Multi-Strain Formula | 3 or more diverse probiotic strains | Broad-spectrum benefits for digestion, immune function, and overall health. |
| Shelf Stability | Clearly labeled storage needs (refrigerated or shelf-stable) | Ensures live bacteria survive through storage and ingestion. |
| Prebiotics Included | Ingredients like inulin, chicory root, or FOS | Prebiotics feed probiotics, enhancing their effectiveness in the gut. |
| Delivery Method | Powders, soft chews, capsules, or probiotic-enriched foods | Choose based on your dog’s preferences and ease of administration. |
| Veterinary-Formulated or Approved | Product recommended or developed by veterinarians | Increases trust and often aligns better with your dog’s clinical needs. |
| Clear Labeling & Transparency | Full list of strains, CFUs, expiration date, and third-party testing | Ensures product quality, potency, and safety. |
Always consult your veterinarian before introducing probiotics to your dog’s diet. You can get personalized nutritional advice from an online registered vet nutritionist through Vetster—available anytime, anywhere. You can also chat with an online vet and ask them questions about whether your dog could benefit from probiotics or which strains are best. Additionally, at-home dog gut health tests can provide valuable insights by analyzing your dog’s microbiome. Likewise, an at-home dog allergy test can help identify potential food sensitivities that may be contributing to digestive issues. Armed with this information, you can confidently choose the right probiotic and dietary strategy to support your dog’s optimal health.
Best Probiotics For Dogs
Here are the best canine probiotics of this year.
Nom Nom
Who It’s For: Dog owners seeking a high-quality, well-rounded probiotic suitable for all breeds and sizes, offering proven health benefits.
Probiotics strains: Lactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
Ollie Probiotic Chews
Who It’s For: Pet parents who prefer a convenient, tasty, chewable probiotic for dogs that dislike powders or capsules.
Probiotics strains: Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus, Acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactococcus, Lactis, Lactobacillus reuteri
Open Farm
Who It’s For: Environmentally conscious dog owners looking for certified organic probiotics made from sustainable and high-quality ingredients.
Probiotics strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bacillus coagulans.
Honest Kitchen Instant Goat’s Milk
Who It’s For: Owners of young puppies need a gentle probiotic formula tailored to support early development and digestion.
Probiotics strains: Lactobacillus case, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium longum, and E. thermopilus.
Nusentia Dog Miracle
Who It’s For: Budget-conscious dog owners seeking an effective and affordable probiotic option without compromising on quality.
Probiotics strains: Bifidobacterium animalis lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Stearic acid.
Pawfy
Who It’s For: Dog owners focused on improving their pet’s digestive health or addressing specific gut-related issues like diarrhea or gas.
Probiotics strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis.
Finn
Who It’s For: Dog parents looking for a vet-recommended probiotic with a seal of trust for safety and effectiveness.
Probiotics strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillusreuteri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus bifidum and Lactobacillus casei.
Pawlife
Who It’s For: Owners of small breeds requiring a probiotic specially designed for their smaller size and nutritional needs.
Probiotics strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis.
Nutramax
Who It’s For: Pet parents who prefer a capsule probiotic for precise dosage control and potent formulations.
Probiotics strains: Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus plantarum.
PETAG Bene-Bac
Who It’s For: Dog owners who need an easy-to-apply paste probiotic for picky eaters or pets recovering from illness.
Probiotics strains: Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum.
Another probiotic paste alternative is FullBucket Dog Probiotic Paste. It’s a highly concentrated yeast-based formula that supports natural gut defenses during periods of stress. It contains 12.5 billion CFUs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii per serving. This formula also includes prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and L-glutamine. It’s the ideal probiotic paste for dogs on antibiotics.
Florazil
Who It’s For: Busy dog parents looking for a probiotic spray that’s quick to apply and easy to use with any food.
Probiotics strains: Liquid Lactobacillus plantrum, liquid Enterococcus thermophilus, liquid Lactobacillus casei, liquid Bifidobacterium bifidum, liquid Bifidobacterium, Liquid Bacillus subtilis, liquid Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and liquid Bifidobacterium longum.
MaryRuth’s
Who It’s For: Pet owners seeking a liquid probiotic that is easy to administer, especially dogs with dietary restrictions.
Probiotics strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium lactis, and B. breve.
Honest Paws
Who It’s For: Dog owners preferring a versatile powdered probiotic to mix into meals for seamless feeding.
Probiotics strains: Inulin (prebiotic), Bacillus subtilis (DE111), Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium animalis lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus plantarum.
Zesty Paws Probiotics For Dogs
Who It’s For: Pet parents with grain-intolerant dogs needing a probiotic that aligns with their grain-free dietary requirements.
Probiotics strains: Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus lactis.
Best Soil-Based Probiotics For Dogs
A solid-based dog probiotic, such as Vitality Science Pet Flora, can help restore your pet’s health. Soil-based probiotics, also known as soil-based organisms (SBOs) or spore-forming probiotics, are unique due to being cultivated on the earth instead of dairy. Most dog probiotics are grown in dairy products and may be less effective, potentially causing more problems for animals with lactose intolerance. Soil-based probiotics for dogs are probiotic supplements derived from naturally occurring beneficial bacteria found in soil. These probiotics are composed of hardy and resilient bacterial spores that can withstand harsh environmental conditions and easily survive the journey through the dog’s digestive system. Vitality Science takes the soil-based probiotics and then adds Humic and Fulvic acids extracted from ancient plant deposits. Natural humic acid is one of the most effective anti-virals on the planet. They recently increased the humic acid to 30 percent. Their products are backed by 50 years of research, and over the past 17 years, they have helped thousands of dog owners and their pets.
Can I Give My Dog Probiotics While On Antibiotics?
Did you know that antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria? When dogs are prescribed antibiotics for bacterial illnesses such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), gastrointestinal infections, or skin infections (dermatitis), the antibiotic kills or weakens disease-causing bacteria to prevent or treat the disease. However, it also kills off the “good” bacteria in the gut.
This is precisely why antibiotics can be difficult for dogs to tolerate and often cause common side effects such as diarrhea, digestive tract inflammation, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal issues. Yes, you can give probiotics to dogs while they are on antibiotics! If your dog is on antibiotics, feeding probiotic supplements may help mitigate the potential stress of the antibiotics, such as side effects. Probiotics will repopulate the good bacteria killed by the antibiotic, thereby restoring and maintaining healthy bacterial levels. This can contribute to the quick elimination of the infection.
Best Probiotics For Dogs On Antibiotics
The best probiotic strain for dogs on antibiotics is Saccharomyces boulardii, commonly referred to as S. boulardii. Unlike bacterial probiotics, this unique yeast strain is unaffected by antibiotics, making it an ideal choice for dogs undergoing antibiotic treatment. By using S. boulardii, you can help your dog avoid antibiotic-related stress, protect beneficial gut bacteria, and restore the balance of good bacteria. In a recent study, S. boulardii showed effectiveness in treating both acute and chronic diarrhea in dogs. Additionally, it has been reported to aid in addressing issues such as Candida, yeast infections, and chronic inflammation.[5] If your dog is about to start an antibiotic regimen, immediately beginning them on a yeast-based probiotic, such as S. boulardii, can help minimize side effects and maintain gut health.
FullBucket Health Dog Probiotic
Veterinarians have used FullBucket Health in their daily practice since 2010. Unlike most probiotics on the market, which use bacteria-based probiotics (which don’t work well when your dog is on antibiotics), FullBucket dog probiotics are formulated with the world’s leading yeast probiotic strain, Saccharomyces boulardii. This strain of probiotics is safe to use during antibiotic therapy and supports optimal digestion. Their formula is also enhanced with prebiotics, digestive enzymes (Including Protease, Lipase, cellulase, and amylase), and L-glutamine. Each serving contains 5 billion CFUs of Saccharomyces boulardii. This all-natural, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO canine probiotic formula is also manufactured in the United States. It contains flaxseed meals and natural flavors for optimal taste.
How to Keep Dog Probiotic Bacteria Alive (Handling & Storing)
Did you know that oxygen and high temperatures can also cause probiotic bacteria to die rapidly? Probiotics are living microorganisms that have evolved inside your dog’s digestive system, as your dog’s gut is an anaerobic or oxygen-free environment. When you feed your dog probiotics, you introduce living bacteria into their gastrointestinal tract. If you want your dog to benefit from it, you must know how to keep them alive.
While good manufacturers help you accomplish this to some extent through packaging, there are some storing and handling practices you must follow:
Never store them in a medicine cabinet in a bathroom where you shower. The heat and humidity from the hot water can kill the probiotics.
The Bottom Line
Probiotics for dogs have become increasingly popular among pet owners looking to improve their furry friend’s overall health and well-being. In addition to adding probiotics to your dog’s diet, other steps can help address chronic GI issues, such as performing a dog gut health test to identify underlying problems.
Sometimes digestive issues aren’t caused by chronic GI problems but by your dog’s diet. In such cases, switching to a fresh dog food diet could make a difference. Many companies offer personalized food blends that are conveniently delivered to your door to address GI problems and allergies. Another option to consider is a plant-based diet for dogs. Emerging studies suggest that vegan diets may provide health benefits for dogs. If this interests you, explore our guide to the best vegan dog foods to see how they might alleviate your dog’s digestive issues. Another option to consider is raw dog food, which mirrors a dog’s ancestral diet and can be beneficial for digestive health and overall well-being. If you’re curious about raw feeding, explore our best raw dog food options to see how this natural approach could help alleviate your dog’s tummy troubles.
With so many probiotics on the market, finding the right one for your dog can feel overwhelming. Based on scientific research and customer reviews, the brands listed in this article are among the best probiotics for dogs. However, always consult your veterinarian before introducing any supplement to your dog’s diet to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for their needs. A quality probiotic can significantly support your dog’s digestive health and immune system, helping them lead a happier, healthier life.
Sources
- Metagenomic analysis revealed beneficial effects of probiotics in improving the composition and function of the gut microbiota in dogs with diarrhoea.
- The microbiota of healthy dogs demonstrates individualized responses to synbiotic supplementation in a randomized controlled trial
- Effects of the Probiotic Mixture Slab51® (SivoMixx®) as Food Supplement in Healthy Dogs: Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota, Clinical Parameters and Immune Function
- Oral Administration of Compound Probiotics Improved Canine Feed Intake, Weight Gain, Immunity and Intestinal Microbiota
- Effects of a probiotic intervention in acute canine gastroenteritis–a controlled clinical trial.
- A canine-specific probiotic product in treating acute or intermittent diarrhea in dogs: A double-blind placebo-controlled efficacy study.
- Influence of dietary supplementation with new Lactobacillus strains on hematology, serum biochemistry, nutritional status, digestibility, enzyme activities, and immunity in dogs
- The synergistic effect of prebiotics, probiotics and antioxidants on dogs with chronic kidney disease
- Dietary supplementation with probiotics promotes weight loss by reshaping the gut microbiome and energy metabolism in obese dogs
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