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I have found that replacing supplements with whole foods is better for my dogs and my wallet. Instead of adding a multi-vitamin, I add raw eggs. Instead of adding fish oil, I add raw sardines. And instead of adding a probiotic powder, I add fresh foods. I still believe in the value of a quality supplement and often will alternate one with the whole food alternative to provide variety and to save time without sacrificing quality and valuable nutrients.
Benefit of Probiotics for Dogs
I began adding probiotics to my dogs' raw diet because of Rodrigo's compromised digestive system brought about by several rounds of antibiotics when he was younger and before I understood the importance of a healthy gut. Adding a probiotic to my dogs' diet helps to:
- Improve absorption of nutrients.
- Strengthen the digestive system.
- Boosts the immune system (healthy gut, healthy dog).
- Increases the metabolism and energy.
- Improves breath (because the gut isn't teaming with bad bacteria).
- Helps the body maintain a healthy weight (also helps with weight loss).
Probiotic Supplements I Recommend for Dogs
There is a bucketload of probiotic and digestive supplements for dogs on the market. I recommend four for dogs::
- FullBucket Daily Canine Powder
- Mercola Complete Probiotics for Pets
- Mercola Digestive Enzymes for Pets
- Nzymes Bac-Pak Plus
If you'd prefer to stick with whole foods, check out the following products created by Answers Pet Food that I add to my dogs' meals as a whole food supplement:
- Answers Kefir and Raw Goat's Milk
- Answers Fermented Fish stock (which is also great for joint health)
- Answers Turkey Stock with Fermented Beets
Natural Sources of Probiotics
Adding natural, whole food sources of probiotics to our dogs' diet is healthy, safe, and budget-friendly. The following are whole foods that offer digestive support. Keep in mind that I'm not sure how much of each of these items will benefit a dog, so I add them to my veggie mix and continue to supplement, just on a less frequent basis.
Raw Dairy that Safe for Dogs
- Kefir (I add 2-3 tablespoons to 1 meal per day, or I feed 1/2 cup as a treat)
- Goat's Milk (I add 3-4 tablespoons to 1 meal per day, or feed 1 cup as a treat)
- Yogurt (I recommend homemade)
- Cheese
Fermented Vegetables
You can buy fermented vegetables at whole food stores or local co-ops, or you can make them yourself. If you buy, check to make sure there are no onions in the mix and choose the lowest sodium content you can find. Carrots have the lowest sodium, they are also high in sugar so go easy on them.
I add 1-2 tablespoons of fermented vegetables to one raw meal per day.
Probiotic Rich Vegetables and Fruit for Dogs
I change up my veggie mix each time I make it and try to add at least two of the following ingredients. I now only add fruit during the summer when it's naturally in season.
- Dandelion Greens
- Asparagus
- Garlic
- Bananas
- Apples
- Seaweed (I add ocean kelp)
More Natural Probiotic Options for Dogs
- Flaxseed
- Chia Seeds
- Chicory Root
Natural Probiotics or Supplement for Dogs
For dogs that need more gut support, I recommend a powerful probiotic and digestive supplement. FullBucket stopped Rodrigo's downward slide a few years ago. He was losing weight rapidly, had impacted anal glands, and he wasn't absorbing nutrients. It was a holistic veterinarian who suggested finding a quality digestive supplement and thank heavens I came across this one soon after.
If this resonates with you; I recommend the following supplements, all of which I've had great success with when adding to my dogs' diet.
Great post. This is very informative. I think you need to balance supplements and whole foods for your dogs in that way they get their needed nutrients efficiently. Dogs can be picky with supplements some might don’t like new ones you give them.
Hi Judy…
All of the probiotics/digestive supplements I give to my dogs come in a powder form with a scoop and I mix it into the food. If you have one that you prefer that comes in capsule form, you can open the capsule and empty onto the food.
Can you open the capsule and empty on to the food??
I’ve never heard of a dog not benefiting from digestive enzymes, so if you’re concerned about how they would impact your dog, I recommend contacting your veterinarian. The reason I give a supplement with both is that all of my dogs can use the benefits because digestive enzymes help better digestive food and absorb nutrients. Whereas probiotics are the beneficial bacteria in the gut; I add this because I want the good bacteria to overpopulate, being more than the bad bacteria, which means that their immune system will be stronger.
This is what’s working for my dogs. One dog needs more support than the others, but they all benefit from FullBucket and other foods that support gut health, like fermented foods.
Best.
Would you recommend Full Bucket Probiotic to any dog, even though there are enzymes in it? Curious if it would matter or not, even if the dog doesn’t need the enzymes. Or maybe think of it as a multi-vit where it just fills in the blanks if needed? I want to start my dog on a probiotic/prebiotic, but also reading up on enzymes too. We are getting a full GI workup on him, he has had off/on loose stools since I got him as a pup… treated for Giardia multiply times, but now wondering if something else is going on. He is a GSD. Testing for EPI and food allergies tomorrow…
Garlic offers many benefits for dogs, including improving their immune system as well as repelling fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
The recommended dosage for dogs is in this blog post: https://keepthetailwagging.com/4-natural-heartworm-prevention-treatment/
I’m a bit confused. You mention garlic as a great probiotic vegetable for dogs… but isn’t garlic toxic to dogs?
Great article, Kimberly!! I need to start mentioning [more often] that our treats are a Natural Probiotic because we infuse Chia seeds into everyone of our batches.
I make it frequently in my crock pot. It’s super easy. I do use a commercial yogurt as my starter but I use one that is only milk and probiotics (no gums, synthetic chemicals etc).
I didn’t come up with this on my own so it’s probably easier to do an internet search for crockpot yogurt but basically it’s:
1) One gallon of whole milk poured into a crock pot. Put the lid on and turn the crock pot on HI for ~3 hours (or until the milk has reached 180-185 degrees).
2) Turn the crockpot off and allow the milk to cool to 110-115 degrees (~3 hours but sometimes I have to vent the crockpot lid at this point to help it cool down).
3) Stir one cup of whole-milk, plain yogurt into the warmed milk with a silicone, plastic or wooden utensil (I use a silicone whisk). I think it’s important not to use metal because it can kill off the bacteria.
4) Wrap the crockpot in a towel and place the wrapped crockpot in an oven with the oven light turned on. The oven should NOT be preheated. The heat generated from the lightbulb is enough. Leave the wrapped crockpot undisturbed for 10-12 hours.
5) After 10-12 hours, remove from the oven, package and refrigerate. Sometimes I strain the yogurt through cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter either at this point or after it’s been refrigerated for a while.
If you’re going to use it for smoothies it doesn’t need to be strained but I eat mine so I usually strain it.
I start the process around Noon which will allow me to put the wrapped crockpot in the oven around 6PM and remove it the next morning around 6AM. Adjust the start time to fit your schedule just remember to back out the oven time (10-12 hours), the cool down time (3 hours), and the milk warming time (3 hours).
Thank you, Maureen
Great article Kimberly!
When I read your writings I feel like we’re having a conversation- you have a gift for that – just like when I read your book! Every time I read it I find another pearl of wisdom. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I haven’t made it myself, but I am looking up a recipe because I have a friend who made it in her pressure cooker.
Neat article! Adding the ‘real thing’ can’t be beat! I’m intrigued to hear whether you’ve made yogurt yourself? That’s something I’d like to try at some point.