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Does my dog need a probiotic? Your FAQs answered!

Does my dog need a probiotic? Your FAQs answered!

Amy Matthews |

1. How do I know if my dog needs a probiotic?

 A dog of any age will benefit from added probiotics in their diet, especially if they’ve recently been unwell, taken antibiotics, or are experiencing digestive issues. Signs that your dog may need a probiotic include loose stools, excessive gas, changes in appetite, or general tummy troubles.

Probiotics help maintain a healthy gut microbiome by replenishing good bacteria, which supports digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. They can be particularly useful during times of stress or illness when the balance of gut bacteria may be disrupted.

2. What’s the best probiotic for dogs?

The best probiotic depends on what you want it to help with. Our Probiotic Plus is a 3-in-1 that includes pre, pro, and postbiotics, offering complete microbiome support. It contains scientifically backed strains like Calsporin®, a robust soil-based probiotic proven to improve stool consistency in dogs¹, which makes it an excellent choice if you're looking to support your dog's daily gut health.

3. How is Probiotic Plus different from other probiotic supplements for dogs?

Probiotic Plus contains Calsporin®, a robust soil-based probiotic that naturally survives digestion, reaching the gut intact to support your dog’s health. Clinical studies have also  shown that Calsporin® improves stool consistency in dogs.¹ Thanks to its resilience, there’s no need for high doses to compensate for bacterial loss.

Developed by nutritionists and vets, Probiotic Plus has a clean, filler-free formula. This reduces waste, allows for minimal packaging, and extends shelf life to 2 years (6 months once opened) — making it a cost-effective, sustainable, and practical choice.

Plus, at just 20p per tablet, a medium-sized dog’s daily dose costs only 40p!

4. Does my dog need a probiotic every day?

Yes! To maintain a balanced gut microbiome, probiotics should be given daily. Regular supplementation helps cultivate good bacteria, support digestion, and promote long-term gut health.

5. Is Probiotic Plus a better source of probiotics than yoghurt or other foods?

Absolutely! While foods like yoghurt can contain beneficial probiotics for the gut, they:

  • Often include strains not specific to dogs.
  • May contain added sugars or dairy, which some dogs struggle to digest.
  • Have low probiotic concentrations, making it hard to get an effective dose.

In comparison, our Probiotic Plus contains targeted probiotic strains, specifically chosen to support your dog's everyday gut health, and provides a precise, effective amount of good bacteria in each capsule.

6. Can I store Probiotic Plus in the fridge or freezer? 

No refrigeration is needed — just store it in a cool, dry place, away from sources of high temperatures and humidity. Putting it in the fridge will not affect the product quality, however we do not recommend freezing the Probiotic Plus. Also try to avoid using damp hands when handling the capsules to help maintain product quality.

7. Why is Probiotic Plus in a new sprinkle capsule rather than a powder or tablet?

We've decided to opt for a new capsule design for several reasons due to the slightly different requirements of offering our Probiotic Plus:

  • It helps you give the correct amount easily to your dog, either whole or sprinkled on food.
  • It keeps the probiotic fresher for longer by protecting it from exposure.
  • It avoids the use of fillers, often needed to form tablets. Our new capsules have a clean formulation that is vegan
  • Many probiotic strains do not respond well to compression, so a tablet form would have been less effective at delivering the same amount of good bacteria to your dog's gut.

8. How long does it take to see results with Probiotic Plus?

We recommend giving for a minimum of 4 weeks to see results, but signs of improvement or benefit could be seen earlier!

9. Can I give Probiotic Plus to my cat?

No, we do not advise giving it to your cat. The active ingredients have been specifically tested, formulated and proven to be beneficial in dogs only. While some probiotics can be used for cats, we recommend checking with your vet for specific options.

10. Do puppies need probiotics?

Yes! Puppies have developing digestive systems and probiotics are a great way to support their gut bacteria from an early age. A probiotic can also help with tummy upsets caused by diet changes or stress in a new home, as well as support their immune system as they start exploring the world around them. Our Probiotic Plus is safe for puppies from 8 weeks old and can be given a daily amount based on their weight.

11. What digestive support should I give my dog with tummy troubles? 

We know how tricky it is to care for a dog prone to tummy troubles. Alongside a suitable high-quality diet and preventing them eating any potentially gurgle-inducing snacks, there are supplements you can give daily to support their digestive health.  

Tree Barks is one of our best-sellers, containing three herbs renowned for their digestive health properties. They work together to provide effective gut support, for comfortable tummies and normal stools. A healthy gut microbiome is also key for optimal gut health and function. Probiotic Plus promotes a healthy microbiome and contains the probiotic Calsporin®, which is proven to improve stool consistency.²  These products are ideal to be used together in dogs with sensitive tummies and/or loose stools, for all-round gut support. 

12. How do I give Probiotic Plus? 

Use Probiotic Plus daily to maintain the powerful pre, pro and postbiotic action. Available in 100 and 200 capsule pots: 

  • Small dog <10kg – 1 capsule a day
  • Medium 10-25kg – 2 capsules a day
  • Large >25kg - 3 capsules a day

The dual-use sprinkle capsule allows for flexible administration, enabling you to give Probiotic Plus directly or on-food, to best suit the needs of you and your dog. Simply give capsules whole or pull apart and sprinkle on food. This also means that Probiotic Plus is easy to use alongside other Dorwest products. 

As always, we’d love to know what you think! Let our expert and friendly team know, or speak to us about your dog on 01308 897272 or email info@dorwest.com.

 

References:

1. Guido Rychen et al. Safety and efficacy of Calsporin® (Bacillus subtilis DSM 15544) as a feed additive for dogs. 2017 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.

2. Izabela Kozłowska et al. Beneficial aspects of inulin supplementation as a fructooligosaccharide prebiotic in monogastric animal nutrition – a review. Ann. Anim. Sci., Vol. 16, No. 2 (2016) 315–331 DOI: 10.1515/aoas-2015-0090