For example, if your dog is moving stiffly, take him to the vet before buying hip & joint supplements. If it turns out he has arthritis or another serious condition, the best course of action is likely medications, rather than just supplements. It is important to check with your veterinarian that your dog really does need supplements before feeding them to her. Because supplements have not gone through rigorous clinical testing are unregulated, you need to watch out for potential risks. This lack of regulation can result in supplements with ingredients that are not proven to be effective, or even safe, as well as discrepancies between labels and actual ingredients. Medications, on the other hand, are drugs that have been developed and tested through clinical trials.
As our furry companions age, it’s important to pay extra attention to their health and well-being. One way to support your senior dog’s overall health is by adding a probiotic supplement to their daily routine. But with so many options available on the market, how do you know which one is the best for your furry friend?
NutraMax’s Proviable DC Digestive Health Supplements are conveniently packaged in capsules which are filled with a sprinkle-friendly probiotic formula. You can give your dog the pill or pop open the capsule to deposit the contents on top of your dog’s favorite food. The formula is a virtually taste-free and brimming with seven different strains of good bacteria. She got her first cat at 5 years old and at 14, she started working for her local veterinarian.
Learn more about gut-friendly probiotic supplements to help your dog’s digestion and boost their immune system. All dogs can get stressed out, and for some dogs, stress can lead to upsets in their digestive systems. When you are traveling with your dog or in a stressful situation (good stress or bad stress!), your dog can feel the effects physically, just like people do. When we think of probiotics, people foods like yogurt and kombucha come to mind, both known to be full of live and active cultures.
Factors to Consider
- Strain Diversity: Look for a probiotic supplement that contains multiple strains of beneficial bacteria to promote a healthy gut microbiome.
- Potency: Choose a supplement with a high CFU (colony forming units) count to ensure maximum effectiveness.
- Added Ingredients: Some probiotic supplements for senior dogs also include prebiotics or digestive enzymes for additional support.
Always check with your pet’s vet before starting any new supplements or medications. No two probiotics are the same, so we’re breaking down the facts, benefits, and our selections of the best probiotic supplements for dogs. The effects of spinach leaf extract on dogs aren’t well documented, but the product information states that it may help with cellular restoration and repair. However, this product may not be a good idea for dogs with kidney issues. Spinach contains oxalates that can cause further kidney damage with long-term use.
Learn from our vet-recommended guide on when to give your dog supplements, and which ones might be right for your furry friend. You might consider giving your healthy dog a probiotic if he is prone to developing diarrhea in stressful situations. For example, if you are planning to take your dog to a show or to board the dog, it may make sense to give probiotics a few days in advance. Also, puppies who tend to get diarrhea after training classes or visits to the vet, for example, might benefit from a few days of probiotics in preparation for the stressful event. Your vet can also help you determine which types of bacteria will be most helpful for your dog’s stomach and bowel health. Think of it like deploying workers to your dog’s digestive system (probiotics) vs. lunch for his system’s existing workers (prebiotics).
🚨While supplementing your dog’s diet with the best supplements can help them, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian first. They can help you to create a tailored treatment plan for your pet, helping you to meet their individual needs. “When you look at a probiotic, you are looking at live bacteria that have been adapted to living within the GI tract,” she explains in a Canine Health Foundation podcast. Exposure to air, moisture, or temperature extremes will damage their viability. That’s why some of these products are sold in individual serving packets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best probiotic supplement for a senior dog?
There are several reputable probiotic supplements on the market specifically formulated for senior dogs. Some popular options include Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora, Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites, and Nutramax Proviable DC.
How do I introduce a probiotic supplement to my senior dog?
It’s best to start slowly by adding a small amount of the probiotic supplement to your dog’s food and gradually increasing the dosage over time. This can help prevent any digestive upset as your dog’s system adjusts to the new supplement.
Ensuring your senior dog has a healthy gut is essential for maintaining their overall health and well-being. By choosing a high-quality probiotic supplement and introducing it to your furry friend’s daily routine, you can help support their digestive health and immune system as they age.
