In humans, the many health benefits of regularly taking probiotics – the so-called beneficial or “friendly” bacteria – are widely known. Many people take a daily probiotic supplement or eat “live” yoghurt to help stabilise their gut flora or intestinal bacteria and to help support their immune system. Doctors may also prescribe probiotics at the same time as antibiotics to help repopulate the intestines with the beneficial bacteria that antibiotics can destroy.
The good news is that probiotics are now available for dogs that not only provide the same health benefits as for humans, but also can help manage or minimise digestive upsets caused by an imbalance in the gut flora. Such upsets can result simply from typical dog behaviours like indiscriminate eating, puppies exploring the world with their mouths, and many other factors that are part of their daily lives – such as occasions that create stress or excitement, age-related causes, use of antibiotics or simply dietary changes.