What is the Best Probiotic for Dogs?

The best probiotic for dogs depends on the condition you’re treating.

For diarrhea, high-Colony Forming Units (CFUs) multi-strain probiotics with lactic acid bacteria (LAB), soil-based strains, or probiotic yeast work fastest. For allergies, multi-strain or species-adapted probiotics help strengthen the gut barrier and regulate immune response.

This guide breaks down what probiotics and prebiotics are, how they support your dog’s digestive system, when each is most useful, and how to choose them wisely. Before we delve into the education below, here are the best probiotics for dogs by condition.

The Best 10 Dog Probiotics at a Glance

If you’re short on time, here are our top picks based on strain quality, CFU strength, survivability, and effectiveness.

1. Best Overall Dog Probiotics: Four Leaf Rover Bifido for Fido -Balanced veterinarian formulated multi-strain formula with clinically studied LAB strains, 50 billion CFU and prebiotic support for maximum effectiveness.
2. Best Dog Probiotics for Diarrhea: Four Leaf Rover Bifido for Fido or Adored Beast Gut Soothe – broadest strains formulas with clinically studied LAB strains and 30 billion CFU. Includes targeted strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus to help stabilize loose stools and prebiotic support.
3. Best Dog Probiotics for Allergies: 3 options to support gut barrier and reduce inflammation skin flare ups. Four Leaf Rover Bifido for Fido, Adored Beast Gut Soothe or Adored Beast Wolf – For the first 2 options, they are multi-strain formula with clinically studied LAB strains and high CFU. In the case of Adored Beast Wolf, it is made from wolf species-adapted bacteria strains.
4. Best Dog Probiotics After Antibiotics: 3 options with one being a probiotic yeast strain or alternatively, resilient spore-forming bacteria to help repopulate the gut after antibiotic disruption.
   • Four Leaf Rover S. Boulardii (probiotic yeast)
   • Adored Beast Soil & Sea (soil-based probiotics) or
   • Four Leaf Rover Protect (soil-based + yeast probiotics)
5. Best Dog Probiotics + Digestive Enzyme for Dog Pancreatitis: Adored Beast Healthy Gut combines probiotic strains with a pancreatin for insufficiency to aid with pancreatitis.
6. Best Daily Dog Probiotic: Adored Beast Love Bugs – maintenance microbiome support with 30 billion CFU and multiple strains.
7. Best Dog Probiotic Chews: if you are looking for an easy probiotic chew for your dog,
   • Purlif Puppy Therapeutic
   • Purlif Gut Health Therapeutic

How We Ranked These Dog Probiotics

Not all probiotics are created equal. We evaluated each product using the following criteria:

• Strain Specificity – We prioritized products that clearly list individual bacterial strains (not just species names). Clinically studied strains provide more predictable results for issues like diarrhea, allergies, or post-antibiotic recovery.
• CFU Strength (Colony Forming Units) – Effective probiotics must contain an appropriate CFU range typically between 1–10 billion CFUs for maintenance, and higher ranges for acute digestive issues. More is not always better; survivability matters.
• Survivability & Stability – We looked for strains that can survive stomach acid and reach the intestines intact. Spore-forming strains and yeast-based probiotics score higher for durability.
• Prebiotic Inclusion – Prebiotics like inulin or FOS help feed beneficial bacteria once they reach the gut, improving colonization success.
• Additive Quality – Artificial flavors, excessive fillers, and unnecessary synthetic additives lowered a product’s ranking.

Jump Links

Diarrhea | Allergies | After Antibiotics | Pancreatitis | Daily Use

Best Overall Dog Probiotics Review

There are loads of dog probiotics out there but from the ones we’ve tested, here are our picks for the Best Overall Dog Probiotic. In terms of criteria, we were looking at the CFU count, the prebiotics and the number as well as the types of strains used. 

We found the following 3 probiotics met those criteria. To be clear, these are also the best dog probiotics for diarrhea.

Top 3 Dog Probiotics (top to bottom) – Comparison Table

Dog Probiotic Brand	Product Picture	CFU Count	# of Probiotic Strains	Probiotic Strain Types	Main Prebiotics	Other Ingredients
Four Leaf Rover Bifido for Fido		50 Billion per 1 tsp (3.22 g)	13	Primarily lactic acid bacteria (LAB) + Streptococcus thermophilus + Saccharomyces boulardii (probiotic yeast)	Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Organic Inulin	—
Adored Beast Gut Soothe		30 Billion per 1 tsp (2.33 g)	14	Primarily lactic acid bacteria	Larch Arabinogalactan	L-glutamine, N-Acetyl Glucosamine, Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice, Slippery Elm Bark, Marshmallow Root, Aloe Vera aiming at reducing GI inflammation and healing the mucosal lining
Adored Beast Wolf		15 Billion per (1 drop = 10 mg)	3	Species-appropriate strains: Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Levilactobacillus brevis, Enterococcus faecium (wolf-derived)	Turkey Tail Mushroom	—

We chose the Adored Beast Gut Soothe over the Adored Beast Love Bugs due to the number of strains, prebiotics and other ingredients meant to heal the GI.

Our experience: We commonly see stool improvement within 3–5 days. In order to get the best results. Follow our home remedy steps here for diarrhea.

Best Dog Probiotics for “Allergies”/ Sensitive Dogs Review

Multiple studies have shown probiotic supplementation can reduce allergy symptoms, and in some cases significantly improve them. To be clear, we use the misnomer “allergies” to refer to potential food sensitivities that result in the dog being itchy, yeasty and have red skin. Soil-based probiotics tend to be more resilient than typical dairy-derived strains because they better survive stomach acid.

Here are our top 3 dog probiotics for allergies

1. Four Leaf Rover Bifido for Fido 
   • Key strains: 13 strains made from primarily lactic acid bacteria (LAB) +Streptococcus thermophilus +Saccharomyces boulardii (probiotic yeast). Utilizes FOS as a prebiotic. 
   • CFU: 50 billion CFU per 1 tsp (3.22 g),
   • Why it works: Vet formulated probiotics carefully chosen for its ability to survive the stomach acid and support the canine gut.
2. Adored Beast Gut Soothe
   • Key strains: 13 strains made from only lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Utilizes Larch arabinogalactan feeds beneficial bacteria and supports anti inflammatory short chain fatty acid production.
   • CFU: 30 billion CFU per tsp (2.33 g)
   • Why it works: Carefully chosen probiotics and strains and combined with other ingredients to help repair the gut. L glutamine and N acetyl glucosamine help strengthen the intestinal barrier, while deglycyrrhizinated licorice, slippery elm, marshmallow root and aloe vera soothe irritated tissue and promote healing. As the gut barrier improves, fewer allergens enter circulation and many dogs show reduced itching in paws, ears and skin. .
   • Our experience: We’ve seen a dog fully cleared up within 4 months of using this protocol.
3. Adored Beast Wolf
   • Key strains: 3 animal adapted strains, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Levilactobacillus brevis, Enterococcus faecium, originally sourced from healthy wolves feces and designed to better colonize the canine gut and improve immune regulation. Utilizes Turkey Tail mushroom acts as the prebiotic. 
   • CFU: 15 billion CFU per serving  (1 drop = 10 mg) 
   • Why it works: Because these are animal-adapted bacteria rather than generic dairy strains, they are biologically appropriate microbes that do not need a lot to help the gut.
   • Our experience: Works well when paired with an elimination diet so that you have only a single novelty protein.

Best Dog Probiotics when on Antibiotics Review

Dog probiotics that would be useful to dog on antibiotics would either be the Probiotic yeast, primarily Saccharomyces boulardii or spore-formed bacteria (soil-based bacteria) such as the Bacillus coagulans as they are hardy. Yeast-based probiotics are unique because they’re not harmed by antibiotics. In this category, we would recommend:

1. Four Leaf Rover S. Boulardii
   • Key strains: made from only S. Boulardii (probiotic yeast).  Utilizes organic inulin as a prebiotic.
   • CFU: 10 billion CFU per 1 tsp (3.3 g) 
   • Why it works: Because these are probiotic yeast they are not affected by antibiotics. You can used them in tandem with antibiotics.
2. Adored Beast Soil & Sea
   • Key strains: made from 4 soil-based Bacillus strains. Utilizes chlorella as a prebiotic. 
   • CFU: 10 billion CFU per 0.5 tsp (1.35 g) 
   • Why it works: Because these are soil-based probiotics, they are hardier than LAB and survive stomach acids better. Other ingredients are meant to provide anti-oxidants or to detoxify. 
3. Four Leaf Rover Protect
   • Key strains: made from mainly S. Boulardii (probiotic yeast) and soil-based Bacillus strains. The probiotic has 4 strains and utilizes organic burdock root as a prebiotic.
   • CFU: 7 billion CFU per 1 tsp (3.85 g)
   • Why it works: Because these are soil-based probiotics, they are more resistant to stomach acids than LAB. Other ingredients are meant to provide anti-oxidants or to detoxify. 

Best Dog Probiotic with Digestive Enzymes For Pancreatitis Review

Adored Beast Healthy Gut

• Key strains: 13 strains of lactic acid bacteria with porcine pancreatin for digestive enyzmes.
• CFU: 30 billion CFU per tsp
• Why it works: the combination of LAB probiotics with digestive enzymes (porcine pancreatin) to support both gut microbiome and digestion. Digestive enzymes break down proteins, fats, and carbs, and prebiotics to feed beneficial bacteria. This combination helps reduce gut irritation, improve nutrient absorption, and support dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergy-related inflammation.
• Our experience: This is particularly helpful for dogs that have had pancreatitis. Combining this with a low-fat diet has ensured that none of the dogs have had a recurrence in pancreatitis. Subsequent bloodwork have shown digestive enzymes within reference range.

Best Dog Probiotics for Daily Digestive Health Review

For this category, we were interested in probiotics that were good for maintenance of a healthy dog. So we were looking at CFU counts between 1-10 billion and other factors. If your dog has diarrhea, a higher-CFU lactic acid bacteria probiotic can often improve stool quality within a few days. Research suggests probiotics may shorten recovery time significantly.

Here are our top 7 everyday dog probiotics. 

Top 7 Everyday Dog Probiotics  (top to bottom) – Comparison Table

Dog Probiotic Brand	Product Picture	CFU Count	# of Probiotic Strains	Probiotic Strain Types	Prebiotics	Other Ingredients	Moonlight Natural Pet Store Notes
Adored Beast Love Bugs		30 Billion per 0.5 tsp (1.23 g)	14	Primarily lactic acid bacteria (LAB) +  Streptococcus thermophilus	Larch Arabinogalactan	—
Four Leaf Rover Protect		7 Billion per tsp (3.85 g)	4	Saccharomyces boulardii (probiotic yeast) + soil-based Bacillus strains	Organic Burdock Root	Antioxidant & detox-support ingredients	Veterinarian formulated
Four Leaf Rover Gut Guard		6 Billion per 1.5 tsp (3.35 g)	3	Pediococcus acidilactici + soil-based Bacillus strains	Burdock Root	L-glutamine, N-Acetyl Glucosamine, Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice, Slippery Elm, Marshmallow Root, Aloe Vera, detox-support ingredients	“Pediococcus acidilactici has been used to treat dogs with digestive disorders and those infected by parvovirus.” Veterinarian formulated
Fera Pets Probiotics + Prebiotics		5 Billion per scoop (1.2 g)	14	LAB +  Streptococcus thermophilus +  Saccharomyces boulardii	Larch Arabinogalactan	—	Veterinarian formulated
Baci+ Probio+		3 Billion per gram	4	Soil-based Bacillus + LAB	Pharmaceutical-grade prebiotic fibre	—
Olie Naturals New Beginnings Pet Probiotic		2.6 Billion per ml	3	Fermented liquid herbal formulation made primarily from lactic acid bacteria (LAB)	Organic Cane Molasses	Herbal fermented base	Only liquid based probiotic.
Carna4 Sprouted Seeds		17 billion CFU per kg	11	Naturally occurring LAB from sprouted seeds	Small amount of FOS	Whole-food sprouted seed base

What Are Probiotics for Dogs?

Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. These “good bacteria” support digestion, crowd out harmful pathogens, and play a key role in immune system regulation.

Probiotics exist naturally in your dog’s body, but they can also be introduced through food or supplements. However, not all sources are effective. Many probiotics added to pet food are exposed to heat during processing, which destroys live bacteria before they ever reach your dog’s bowl.

Probiotics are derived from fermented foods e.g. milk, plants, and also from feces of a healthy subject. 

What CFU Should a Dog Probiotic Have?

Probiotics are measured in CFUs (colony-forming units), which is a count of how many live organisms are present. 

It is not clear what the ideal amount of probiotics for dogs should be. Dosage depends on the CFU count, strain variety, whether the probiotic is before, during or after meals and the length of administration of the probiotics. For humans, the delivery mechanism in terms of encapsulation in capsule form may increase the effectiveness of the delivery while we don’t have the same mechanism for pets. Some brands are utilizing micro encapsulation for powders to ensure delivery to the GI. 

The current recommendation for dogs is 1-10 billion CFUs a day for healthy dogs. For dogs with digestive issues or skin issues, a probiotic between 25-50 billion CFU for a medium to large sized dog is recommended by holistic vets. 

Do Probiotics Help Dogs?

Yes. Probiotics help restore microbial balance in a dog’s gut, improving stool quality, digestion, and immune regulation. They crowd out harmful bacteria and produce short-chain fatty acids that strengthen the intestinal barrier. They’re especially helpful for diarrhea, antibiotic recovery, and dogs with recurring skin or sensitivity issues.

How Long Do Dog Probiotics Take to Work?

For acute digestive issues like diarrhea, improvement may appear within a few days when appropriate strains are used. Chronic conditions such as allergies or microbiome imbalance often take 4 or more weeks. The timeline depends on strain type, dose and your dog.

Can Dogs Take Probiotics Daily?

Yes. Daily probiotics can support long-term gut stability, immune resilience, and consistent stool quality. Some holistic protocols cycle or “pulse” them to encourage natural microbiome adaptation, but routine use is generally safe. Dogs with severe immune compromise should only use probiotics under veterinary supervision.

Probiotic Strains With Scientific Support in Dogs

Not all probiotics are created equal. Research shows that certain strains are better suited to canine digestion and health. Below are probiotic strains with scientific evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness in dogs.

Lactic Acid Dog Probiotics

Lactic acid dog probiotics, primarily Lactobacillus and Enterococcus are beneficial bacteria that enhance digestive and immune health by lowering intestinal pH to inhibit pathogens. They are called lactic acid bacteria (LAB) because they produce lactic acid as a major metabolic end product of carbohydrate fermentation.  They are found in decomposing plants and fermented milk products. Streptococcus thermophilus strains are also lactic-acid probiotic that helps to make some of your favourite foods and beneficial to dogs. They are specialists in that unlike Lactobacillus that digest lactose and other sugars, this Streptococcus thermophilus digests protein casein. 

Although not from the same taxonomic group, Bifidobacterium species also produce lactic acid as a major metabolic end product so we will group them here. These strains can also be isolated from canine feces but are generally from fermented milk or plant products. Bifidobacteria digest carbohydrates and fibers. Most LAB tend to be more fragile as they are live strains meaning they require cold storage.

Lactic acid dog probiotics are effective for treating diarrhea, supporting gut health, improving stool quality, and managing allergies or anxiety in dogs. 

• Bifidobacterium animalis (strain AHC7) has been shown to reduce the duration of acute diarrhea in dogs, assist recovery after antibiotic use, and help remove toxins from the colon.
• Bifidobacterium bifidum promotes a healthy balance of intestinal flora and contributes to overall gut stability.
• Enterococcus faecium is commonly used to help manage diarrhea and may also stimulate immune function. A research paper on “the effect of Enterococcus faecium SF68” inadvertently found “a significant decrease in cholesterol and significant increase in triglyceride concentrations were seen at day 28.”
• Lactobacillus acidophilus supports stool quality and regularity, making it helpful for dogs with sensitive digestion, diarrhea, or constipation. It is known to reduce harmful clostridia
• Lactobacillus casei encourages the growth of other beneficial bacteria, helping maintain a balanced intestinal environment. 
• Lactobacillus plantarum supports nutrient absorption, helping ensure that vitamins and supplements are effectively delivered to your dog’s cells.
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus helps inhibit harmful bacteria and yeast, while also supporting immune health, allergies, and urinary tract balance.
• Bifidobacterium longum (BL999) may help with anxiety.

Spore Forming Dog Probiotics

Spore forming bacteria are usually strains from the Bacillus genus. These tend to be hardier as they can withstand high temperatures, low ph and his pressures. As a result, these bacteria are more likely to be delivered to the gut and are known for aiding IBS among other digestive issues.  Bacillus species form endospores which is a protective, dormant shell enabling them to withstand heat, desiccation, and low pH.

Spore forming probiotics are sometimes called Soil-based probiotics because they are commonly found in soil but can be obtained from fermented products like sauerkraut, natto

• Bacillus coagulans is a hardy, spore-forming strain that enhances intestinal health and provides support during occasional digestive discomfort.

Probiotic Yeast for Dogs

Probiotic yeast, primarily Saccharomyces boulardii, is a beneficial, non-colonizing microorganism used to support gut health and boost immunity. Unlike bacterial probiotics, it is resistant to antibiotics as it is a yeast, making it ideal for treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea, infections, and restoring intestinal balance. It acts temporarily, surviving stomach acid to provide therapeutic benefits, including fighting pathogens and reducing inflammation. 

• Saccharomyces boulardii is a transient but essential yeast with higher viability through the GI passage, which has been shown to reduce GI symptoms. 

Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs

According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, “Your dog’s gastrointestinal tract contains about 70% of their immune system, putting it on the front line for preventing pathogens from accessing the rest of the body. By normalizing the conditions in the digestive system, probiotics allow the immune system to function properly.”

Research so far is showing that probiotics may help with the following conditions:

1. Diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. According to a peer reviewed research paper, probiotics may be better at improving gut health and reduce the reliance on using antibiotics, which can disrupt gut flora and foster bacterial resistance.
   • Crowd out harmful bacteria for example salmonella and e.coli 
2. Your dog’s mental health as the gastrointestinal tract and brain are in constant contact the gut can help with mental and emotional regulation.
   • The bifidobacterium longum has been shown by a pet behaviour researcher for Nestle to make dogs “less likely to bark, jump, spin or pace in situations that normally caused them distress. They were also more likely to explore a new environment.”
3. Coat Quality
4. Irritable Bowel syndrome
5. Skin disorders & Allergies
6. Urinary Tract Infections
7. Obesity

How Probiotics Work in the Canine Gut

Once probiotics successfully bypass the stomach and reach the intestines, they help produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).  The 3 major SCFAs produced by gut bacteria are acetate, propionate, and butyrate. 

These compounds lower the gut pH slightly to create an environment where harmful bacteria struggle to survive. This process helps inhibit pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens, which are commonly associated with digestive upset and diarrhea in dogs.

 However, SCFA can also do the following based on human research: 

• Providing roughly 70% of the energy needs of colonic epithelial cells.
• Enhancing the gut barrier, reducing inflammation and preventing leaky gut.
• Managing inflammation and promote immune health. 
• Anti-cancer properties by maintaining a healthy colon environment, potentially reducing the risk of colorectal cancer. 

Can Probiotic Powder Survive a Dog’s Gastric Acid?

Dogs have an extremely acidic stomach, often with a pH of 2 or lower (sometimes as low as 1.5). This environment is designed to break down bone and raw protein, but it also can destroy many probiotic strains before they ever reach the intestines.

According to peer-reviewed studies, the effectiveness of a probiotic powder depends entirely on the strain’s acid tolerance and its form.

• Strain Selection: Not all bacteria are created equal. Research from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine highlights that specific strains like Enterococcus faecium and Bifidobacterium animalis have shown a better ability to survive the transit through the stomach to colonize the gut.
• The Spore Advantage: Some probiotics, like Bacillus coagulans are spore-forming. Research indicates these are “dormant” in the bottle and only “wake up” once they reach the intestines. This allows them to pass through the high-acid stomach completely unharmed, making them significantly more effective.
• Encapsulation: High-quality powders may use micro-encapsulation technology to shield the bacteria from acid, ensuring the “payload” is delivered exactly where it’s needed. The micro-encapsulation process for probiotics can involve either low cost methods like spray drying, freeze drying or other techniques.  

Some pet food is now sprayed after preparation e.g kibble with probiotics to create a functional food that may reduce gastrointestinal issues and reduce the reliance on antibiotics. The strains used and CFU are still important when you pick a pet food that advertises probiotics. 

When Should Dogs Use Probiotics?

There are several situations where probiotics can be especially beneficial for dogs.

1. Diarrhea/ Digestive Issues/ IBS – Probiotics are also helpful for dogs experiencing digestive issues, such as loose stools, constipation, gas, or inconsistent bowel movements.
2. Reducing Stress – Even healthy dogs can benefit from probiotic supplementation as a way to support long-term gut balance, immune health, and overall resilience particularly during times of stress, diet changes, or travel.
3. Long-Term Immune Health – You can also give daily probiotics as part of your dog’s long-term health care. As shown above, it can be anti-inflammatory and the SCFAs generated can have anti-cancer properties. 
4. Antibiotic Use – If your dog is prescribed antibiotics, probiotics can help replenish beneficial bacteria that antibiotics unintentionally wipe out. Antibiotics don’t discriminate between “bad” and “good” bacteria. Probiotics help replenish the colony. Pro-Tip: Use yeast-based “probiotics or soil-based probiotics for best results.

For the most part, probiotics are generally safe to use and may result in minor side effects such as gas, bloating or digestive upset. Note: “Severely immunocompromised dogs should only be given probiotics with caution and under veterinary supervision.”

Probiotic Foods for Dogs: Which Are The Best Sources?

• Raw Green Tripe: Raw green tripe is an excellent source of probiotics and digestive enzymes for your dog. 
• Kefir: A cultured, probiotic food typically made with cow’s milk fermented with kefir grains. Cow’s milk can be harder to digest due to larger protein molecules. Goat milk as a result is often a better choice for dogs as it is easier on the digestive system. There is also the option to ferment using coconut milk. 
• Yogurt: this is a good source of probiotics but in general it can be used if very little. 
• Sauerkraut: A form of fermented cabbage, sauerkraut is full of probiotics created during the fermentation process. Freshly fermented is best, as it maintains the most nutrient density.

What Are Prebiotics for Dogs?

While probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria, prebiotics feed the bacteria already living in your dog’s gut. Think of prebiotics as “fertilizer” for both good and bad bacteria. 

Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that pass through the digestive system intact and selectively nourish healthy gut microbes. By feeding good bacteria, prebiotics help them multiply and become more resilient.

Common prebiotic ingredients include inulin, chicory root, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and certain fermentable fibers found naturally in whole foods.

Unlike probiotics, prebiotics are not alive, so they are not destroyed by stomach acid or heat. This makes them more stable — but also means they work more slowly and indirectly.

When Are Prebiotics Helpful for Dogs?

Prebiotics are particularly useful for long-term gut health support. They help maintain microbial balance, support stool consistency, and may benefit dogs with mild digestive sensitivity.

They can also enhance the effectiveness of probiotics when used together.

However, prebiotics may not be appropriate for dogs with active diarrhea or severe gut inflammation, as fermentable fibers can sometimes worsen symptoms in the short term.

Prebiotic Foods for Dogs: Which Are The Best Sources?

• Larch arabinogalactin: an extract from the larch tree which is used to support colon health. 
• Inulin: from chicory or garlic is a natural prebiotic soluble fibers 
• Fructooligosaccharides (FOS): these are natural, low-calorie, prebiotic soluble fibers found in fruits and pass through the stomach undigested to support gut health.
• Dandelion greens: These abundant, backyard greens are 25% prebiotic fiber. 
• Leafy greens: researchers discovered that leafy greens, such as spinach, have abundant prebiotics. For dogs, remember these have to be pureed for ease of digestion. 
• Garlic: We’ve spoken about garlic as a natural bug repellent but it also has prebiotic benefits. 

Note that prebiotics ALONE may not be ideal during active, severe diarrhea, as the fermentable fiber can sometimes increase gas or discomfort while the gut is inflamed

Probiotics vs. Digestive Enzymes: What’s the Difference for Dogs?

Probiotics and digestive enzymes are often lumped together, but they play very different roles in your dog’s digestive health. Understanding the distinction is important especially if your dog is dealing with digestive upset, recovering from antibiotics, or managing a sensitive gut.

Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria that support a healthy balance of microorganisms in your dog’s digestive tract. These “good bacteria” help regulate digestion, support immune function, and protect against harmful pathogens. Probiotics naturally exist in two places: within your dog’s gastrointestinal tract and in certain foods — provided those foods haven’t been exposed to heat, which destroys live bacteria.

Digestive enzymes, on the other hand, help break down food into nutrients your dog can absorb. While enzymes are essential, they don’t populate the gut with beneficial bacteria or directly protect against harmful microbes the way probiotics do. For overall gut health, probiotics play a uniquely protective and restorative role.

Dog Probiotics vs. Prebiotics vs. Digestive Enzymes at a Glance

Moonlight Natural Pet Store	Probiotics	Prebiotics	Digestive Enzymes
What they are	Live beneficial bacteria	Non-digestible fibers that nourish bacteria	Proteins that break down food into absorbable nutrients
Primary role	Repopulate the gut microbiome	Feed and support existing good bacteria	Help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
Speed of effect	Act quickly	Act gradually over time	Often act immediately with meals
Best use case	After antibiotics, diarrhea, or digestive upset	Daily maintenance and long-term gut health	Poor digestion, gas, heavy stools, nutrient malabsorption
Goal	Add beneficial microbes	Strengthen and sustain beneficial microbes	Improve nutrient absorption and reduce digestive workload

• Probiotics add good bacteria.
• Prebiotics feed bacteria.
• Digestive enzymes help the dog use the food properly.
• Many dogs benefit from a combination when used appropriately.

Why We Avoid Purina Fortiflora Probiotics

The active ingredients are fine in the Purina Fortiflora. 

However, the primary issue is with the first inactive ingredient, which is animal digest.  According to Wikipedia, animal digest is basically a hydrolyzed protein from animal parts excluding hair, horns, teeth, hooves and feathers. Firstly animal digest is used because it is cheap and palatable. They could simply have used for example hydrolyzed chicken liver, which they do in their Proplan veterinary diets and at least a better option because you know it is from chicken and the liver.  Some pet parents prefer more transparent ingredient sourcing. 

Secondly, multiple strain probiotics have been found to be more effective at dealing with GI issues unlike single strain probiotics such as Purina Fortiflora. 

Brewer’s yeast as the second inactive ingredient is a by-product from the brewing of beer or ale for human consumption. It is a good source of protein and B vitamins. However, for dogs prone to skin yeast, it could worsen the situation so we would not recommend it as a daily probiotic for that reason unless your dog is already healthy.

Choosing the Right Gut Support for Your Dog

To ensure your money isn’t just being “burned” by your dog’s stomach acid, look for:

1. Dog-specific probiotic strains.
2. High CFU counts (10 billion+ for therapeutic needs).
3. Survivability tech (Spore-forming strains or acid-resistant encapsulation).

A healthy gut isn’t built on supplements alone. Diet consistency, reduced ultra-processing, and stress management are vital. When used thoughtfully, probiotics and prebiotics are powerful tools for long-term immune health and not just quick fixes for diarrhea.