Probiotics. You’ve heard about them. You’ve read about them. You know they’re good for you and if you’re reading this, you’re about to know they’re great for your dog. But maybe you’re asking, “Can dogs take human probiotics?” since it seems like it would make sense, right? It sure does, but read on to learn more about whether your dog can take human probiotics for human consumption.
Probiotics for everyone!
You hear or read about natural probiotics everywhere and it’s because science is continually linking healthy gut to good overall health (including good brain health) and you know what keeps guts in good shape? You guessed it! Probiotics.
And while the push for human probiotics consumption has rightly risen through the roof, the same can be said for our pets.
Again, with good reason, since good health begins in the gut of our furry friends too. Probiotics are key to good dog gut health, just like they are to good human gut health, so it makes sense you should both be taking probiotics. To keep your dog healthy, you can give him probiotics on a regular basis to promote everyday digestive health, optimal nutrient absorption, and overall well-being.
But can you offer your dog human probiotics? Should dogs take human probiotics?
I’m living under a rock—I don’t know what probiotics are
No worries if you’re not sure of what probiotics even are. You can learn all about them on our blog, but in a nutshell, probiotics are healthy bacteria that live in our digestive tracts and help our digestive systems keep our guts healthy. They keep harmful bacteria from taking over our gut, and they keep you from experiencing a host of digestive issues. They fuel your microbiome, which in turn connects with and drives your brain, and they’re basically warriors for your gut health.
The same is said for the probiotics that reside in your dog’s gut. They can keep your dog from dealing with upset stomach, constipation, acute diarrhea, allergies, urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal inflammation, and even anxiety and mood issues.
Preventatively, probiotics added to your dog’s diet daily will keep those issues and a ton more at bay. These beneficial microorganisms are also important when your dog is dealing with an illness, on antibiotics, eating poorly or has gotten into something he shouldn’t have. All of those situations can bring about problems in your dog’s gut, and a healthy microbiome will reduce or eliminate symptoms and keep your dog’s immune system stronger.
So probiotics are good for you AND your dog. And all dog owners should know that.
But can dogs take human probiotics then?
Technically, there’s nothing about human probiotics that should be a problem for your dog.
But why would you give your dog bacterial strains that haven’t been tested for efficacy in your dog when there ARE canine probiotics that have been found to be beneficial to HIS gut flora?
Why dogs shouldn’t take human probiotics
The main reason is that even though dogs and humans can both benefit from probiotics, your dog’s gut has a different community of beneficial bacteria than you do. According to Harvard Medical School, there are hundreds and hundreds of different probiotic strains. What may be best for our human gut may NOT be best for our dog’s gut. In fact, many dogs may experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation when you give them human grade probiotics. Pretty aggravating when that’s likely why you may have been giving him the probiotic supplement anyway. Dog-safe strains of probiotics are known to be not only compatible with a dog’s digestive system, but beneficial as well.
Are human probiotics harmful to dogs? Probably not if you’re in a pinch, but are they the best dog probiotic supplements? No, they’re likely not. You want to use dog supplements that have been studied and specifically designated as helpful for your dogs.
How to find the best dog probiotics
Just like the market for human probiotics has exploded, so has the market for dogs’ probiotics. Finding the best dog probiotics can be hard in a saturated market.
So what should you look for in dog probiotics?
The Bacillus coagulans strain is a really effective bacterial strain for many different digestive conditions–acute diarrhea antibiotic-induced disruption, giardia, IBS or more. Bacillus subtilis strains are also good in helping relieve digestive conditions, and both of those strains are unique in that they’re hardy, spore-forming bacteria.
This means that when these live bacteria go through your dog’s digestive tract, they’ll be able to withstand the harsh acids of your dog’s stomach and digestive juices and make it to their intestines where they’ll form more and more spores–a happy colony of little colon troopers, if you will, ready to battle whatever comes at your dog.
Lots of dog foods will tell you that they include dog specific bacteria but the truth is they’re not strains that make it through the extreme heat process that dried dog kibble undergoes and so you’re basically wasting your money on the probiotics included. They’re pretty much dead on arrival in your dog’s intestines.
Even more reason you want to supplement with probiotic products designed for dogs specifically.
Why Bernie’s perfect poop has the perfect probiotics
The number one reason Bernie’s Perfect Poop has the best probiotics for dogs is because it was designed for Bernie and his sister Lady! We’re a real family, and they’re our real dogs! We only want the best for them! We knew that gut health was important so we were giving Bernie and Lady prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes and fiber with every meal. But that cost a ton and took a lot of work.
And that’s how Perfect Poop was born! We worked with industry leaders to design the perfect formulation and that’s just what you get in each bag. We use Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtillis because they’re hardy and they get into the gut–we don’t want you wasting money on probiotics your dog won’t even benefit from!
We also added in premium fiber, prebiotics (you know those probiotics have to feed on something, right? Don’t let them starve!) and digestive enzymes for a 4-in-1 supplement that dogs find delicious!
Can your dogs take human probiotics?
Technically yes. But why would you waste money on human probiotic supplements that may not be best for your dog’s gut health when you can try one of our two delicious recipes with no risk? We know that Perfect Poop is good for your dog’s gut health and that he’s going to love it, but we have a money-back guarantee so you don’t even risk anything.
Except your dog having the best gut health and perfect poop he can.
Which we think is a pretty great reward!
