A healthy dog is a happy dog! There’s no better feeling than watching your pup chase after a ball at full speed, or patting them as they fall asleep next to you after a long walk. Keeping your dog healthy means they can enjoy each day, and you can enjoy many more years with them by your side.
Probiotics play an important role of keeping your dog health, as we will discuss in this article. Many dog owners ask, “at what age can I give my dog probiotics?”. Today, we’ll discuss when to give your dog probiotics, why probiotics are important, and how to introduce probiotics into your dog’s diet.
Why Should You Give Your Dog Probiotics?
There are a lot of good bacteria that live in your dog’s digestive system. These bacteria are important for helping your dog digest their food properly, making sure they are getting all the nutrients they need.
While these good bacteria are already living in your dog’s intestines, there are also bad bacteria there that can disturb the balance of microorganisms and prevent your dog from digesting its food properly.
A daily probiotic adds good bacteria to your dog’s digestive system and improves digestion. Research has shown that probiotics for dogs can reduce gas and improve diarrhea, but also have a number of other health benefits, including:
- Reducing the severity of food allergies
- Improving your dog’s immunity
- Treating gastrointestinal infections
- Help prevent urinary tract infections
- Improving behavioural problems like anxiety
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits that probiotics for your dog can bring.
Why Age Matters When Determining When to Give Your Dog Probiotics
Given that probiotics bring so many health benefits, you might be wondering why your dog’s age matters at all. Well, probiotics are much more important for older dogs. Your dog’s gut health is essential for its overall immunity, which tends to decline as your dog ages. A weakened immune system leaves your dog more vulnerable to disease and infection.
So, age is an important factor when it comes to deciding when to give your dog probiotics. Probiotics play an important role in keeping your older dog healthy and can extend the time you have with your best friend.
So, At What Age Can I Give My Dog Probiotics?
While probiotics are essential for older dogs, they also bring a lot of benefits for young dogs and puppies. Probiotics that are specifically developed for dogs are safe for dogs of any age, including puppies.
Probiotics can help puppies develop a balance of intestinal bacteria and a strong immune system. Probiotics can also help to reduce diarrhea, constipation, and digestive issues in your puppy.
So, are you still asking what age can I give my dog probiotics? The answer is any age! Probiotics are safe for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages, as long as the probiotics are specifically designed for dogs.
Other Factors to Consider When Giving Your Dog Probiotics
Age isn’t the only thing to consider when it comes to giving your dog probiotics. Here are some other factors you should keep in mind.
The Rest of Their Diet
Yoghurt (with live cultures), broccoli, and sweet potato are all-natural probiotics for dogs. If your dog eats a lot of these foods, they may need probiotics added to their food less frequently. If these aren’t foods you regularly feed your dog, you might want to give your dog probiotics more regularly.
If your dog has anxiety or any other condition that affects their appetite, they might need more regular probiotics. Also, if your dog is preparing to go on antibiotics, or has recently been on antibiotics, probiotics are important to restore the levels of good bacteria in the digestive system.
The Form of the Probiotic
Probiotics for dogs come in different forms. Some are capsules or pills, but all dog owners know that it can be tricky to get your pup to take these. Others come in the form of chewy treats, while some are powders, which are so easy to sprinkle over your dog’s regular food. It’s often a matter of finding the right probiotic for your dog - something they like the taste and texture of.
The Brand/Product Itself
Not all probiotics for dogs are created equal. Some contain unnecessary ingredients or additives which can actually be harmful to your dog’s digestion. Others aren’t designed with dogs in mind and can be very difficult to convince your dog to eat.
Make sure you are choosing probiotics for your dog from a reputable brand, with lots of reviews. Check the ingredients list to make sure there are no unwanted additives or preservatives. When it comes to the actual probiotics, look for formulations that contain at least two active strains of bacteria.
You can find the best dog supplements in Australia right here at Mighty Munch. Using only premium ingredients sourced in Australia, our supplements contain everything your dog needs and nothing it doesn’t. If you’re looking for a dog probiotic in Australia, Might Munch’s meal topper includes a natural blend of three active probiotics and is endorsed by vets across Australia.
At Mighty Munch, we have a huge range of products that help you prioritise your dog’s health. Try our joint supplements for dogs with arthritis or other joint issues, and our meal toppers for dogs that promote joint health with glucosamine and chondroitin. We also have collagen for dogs to give your pup a smooth, shiny coat, and you can even get a calming dog bed in Australia at Mighty Munch!
Tips for Introducing Probiotics to Your Pet’s Regimen
Now that we’ve answered the question “what age can I give my dog probiotics?”, let’s discuss some tips for the best ways to introduce probiotics into your dog’s diet.
It’s a good idea to speak to your vet before you introduce probiotics into your dog’s diet. Just like any changes you make to what your dog is eating, make sure you gradually introduce probiotics. Start by giving your dog probiotics once a week, monitor your dog for changes in appetite or any digestive issues, and then gradually increase to daily use.
Also, make sure you pay attention to any special directions for the probiotics you are using, as some have specific storage requirements.
Wrapping Up Our Guide on What Age to Give Dogs Probiotics
So, at what age can I give my dog probiotics? Hopefully, this article has taught you that it’s never too early to introduce your dog to probiotics for healthy digestive and immune systems. By adding a daily probiotic to your dog’s diet, you can keep your best friend happy and healthy for many years to come.
Prioritize your pup with probiotics from Mighty Munch.
