Probiotics for dogs and cats

Overview

• Just like us, animals have millions of bacteria living in their guts supporting digestion and protecting against disease.
• Probiotics can be used to ‘top up’ gut bacteria if it’s been disrupted by illness or medication.
• Probiotics can be useful for some pets but not all. Speak to your vet for more information.

Will probiotics help my pet?

Your vet may recommend a course of probiotics if your pet is suffering with:

• Diarrhoea after antibiotics
• Diarrhoea due to stress
• Diarrhoea due to a sudden change of food.

How do probiotics work?

Probiotics are considered useful for helping ‘top up’ natural gut flora that have been disrupted by illness or medication. Some probiotic products also contain ingredients that bind diarrhoea and soothe the guts. Probiotics are often given for three to five days and come as a tablet, powder or paste. Probiotics are a popular product because vets and pet owners regularly see positive results after their use but it’s important to know that they don’t work in every scenario.

Side effects of probiotics

Probiotics are very safe, and are extremely unlikely to cause side effects.

When to contact your vet

Speak to your vet for advice if your pet has any of the problems listed above or if you think they may benefit from probiotics.

Published: July 2019