10 Best Probiotics for Dogs 2023

By PetMD Vet Advisory Panel on Aug. 18, 2023

Probiotics for Dogs: What to Look For

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that live in your dog’s gut and contribute to a healthy gastrointestinal system. Just like humans, dogs have a variety of beneficial microorganisms that live in their digestive tract. About 95 percent of these microorganisms are bacteria, with the rest including a mix of protozoa, fungi, and even viruses. Probiotics supplements provide microorganisms that helps support gut health, including Lactobacillus species, Bifidobacterium species, and Enterococcus.

When you’re shopping for a probiotic for your dog, consider the type and number of microorganisms in the product, cost, palatability (how tasty it is), how it’s administered, and the function you’re trying to support. The quantity of microorganisms in a product is generally measured in billions of CFUs, or colony forming units. The greater the CFUs, the more of a particular organism the product has.

The list of canine probiotics below has been reviewed by PetMD veterinarians. As always, if you have questions about your dog’s digestive health, you can contact your veterinarian or one of our veterinary professionals at Chewy’s Connect with a Vet.

#1. Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora Probiotic Supplement Powder

Vet Pick: General Health Support

Purina’s Pro Plan FortiFlora Powder comes in single-use packets that are easy to use: just mix with food. It’s a favorite among many veterinarians thanks to its widespread availability, long track record of successful use, and ease of administration. Additionally, most dogs really like the taste. Vets recommend it for the dietary management of puppies and adult dogs with diarrhea, as well as general health support. It contains 100 million CFU of a single probiotic, Enterococcus faecium, along with added vitamins and brewer’s yeast. E. faecium is often recommended by veterinarians to help with occasional diarrhea. The cost per dose is around $1.03.

Things to Consider

Dogs with food sensitivities may have less reaction to the hydrolyzed ingredients
Easy-to-administer powder
Highly palatable
Also available as a chew
Not recommend for immune-compromised dogs
Contains only one probiotic strain

#2 Vibeful Probiotics Gastrointestinal Support Powder Digestive Supplement for Dogs

Vet Pick: Economical and Effective

Brought to you by Chewy, Vibeful Probiotics powder is formulated to support proper digestive and gut health, while providing immune system and digestive support. The chicken-flavored powder combines easily with wet dog food and is appropriate for daily usage. It has a comprehensive mix of probiotics, including three species of Lactobacillus and one species of Enterococcus. At 200 million CFUs per gram, the CFU count is on the lower side, with a cost of about 93 cents per dose.

Things to Consider

Supports the immune system and normal digestion
Simple dosing and administration
Combines 4 probiotics
Prebiotic fiber to help maintain proper gut flora
Cost-effective
Some dogs may have food sensitivities to chicken
Lower CFUs

#3 Vetnique Labs Profivex Probiotics 5-Strain Pork Pet Digestive Health Probiotic, Prebiotic

Vet Pick: For Cats and Dogs

Vetnique Lab’s pork-flavored probiotic powder offers 5 billion CFUs per dose and includes Lactobacillus (two species), Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bacillus Coagulans organisms. It’s not recommended for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies to pork, rice, or sweet potato. The product also contains added fiber, which may be beneficial for some pets. At around $0.60/dose, this is an economical product.

Things to Consider

Can be given to cats and dogs
5 probiotic strains
Promotes digestive and immune system health
Includes FOS and sweet potato, for added fiber and nutrients
Also available as a chew

Scoop-based dosing may be less accurate
Needs refrigeration after opening
Pork may irritate some food allergies

#4 Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites

Vet Pick: Soothing Pumpkin and Papaya

Zesty Paws Probiotic Bites offer a blend of 3 billion CFUs of 6 probiotics that is flavored with pumpkin and papaya, making these chews a good option for dogs with food sensitivities or allergens to certain proteins. If your picky eater refuses the chews, try switching to a powder-based product that’s easier to mix with your dog’s food. Some of our veterinarians also singled out the addition of flavorings like oregano, flaxseed, and plum, which may aggravate some dog’s digestive systems. The cost per dose depends on how many chews you give your dog and generally ranges from about $0.42/dose to $1.26/dose.

Things to Consider

Multiple flavors of tasty chews
Proprietary blend of 6 probiotics
Good option for pets with allergies to animal proteins
Available in senior dog formulation
No supportive research available
Only available in chews

#5 VetriScience Vetri Mega Probiotics Capsules

Vet Pick: Seasonal Allergy Support

Our reviewers liked VetriScience Mega Probiotics Capsules for their blend of probiotics and lack of potential allergens. There are no additional flavorings and no added dairy, making it a good choice for dogs with food allergies or sensitive stomachs. This product is only available in a capsule, which can be challenging for some pets, but you can always break the capsule open and mix the powder with your dog’s food. This product offers a potent mix of 5 billion CFUs of 8 probiotic strains. At less than $0.50/dose, this is also an economical option.

Things to Consider

Good option for dogs with food allergies
High CFU count
8 strains of probiotics

Only available in capsule form
Lacks fiber or added vitamins

#6 Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Calming Supplement for Dogs

Vet Pick: Stress Relief

Offered by Purina Pro Plan, this probiotic has been formulated with a potent dose (10 billion CFUs) of Bifidobacterium longum, a probiotic strain that has been shown to help keep dogs calm during stressful situations like separation, trips to the vet, or thunderstorms. Our veterinarians often suggest this product as part of a behavior modification program. Because of its high dose and formulation, it may interact with other calming or behavior modifying supplements and cause drowsiness, so it’s always good to consult with your vet before adding this to an existing medication or supplement regimen. The cost per dose is around $1.11.

Things to Consider

Helps dogs cope with external stressors
High potency (10 billion CFU)
Easy-to-administer powder

Contains added flavorings that may aggravate allergies
Takes at least 90 days to have effect.
More expensive.

#7 VetOne Advita Probiotic Nutritional Dog Supplement

Vet Pick: Pre- and Probiotics

Formulated with non-hydrolyzed chicken liver, VetOne’s Advita Probiotic is available in a powder that offers a blend of 200 million CFUs of 5 probiotics and the prebiotic inulin (prebiotics are helpful because they help “feed” probiotics and can increase their number in the gut). This product also contains added vitamins A, C, and E, which help provide antioxidant support for general health. Some veterinarians recommend this product to help support the immune system and maintain normal stool consistence in dogs. The cost per dose is around $0.77/dose.

Things to Consider

Easy-to-administer powder
Offers 4 strains of probiotics
Economical
Supports intestinal balance and a healthy immune system
May aggravate food allergies to poultry
Relatively low CFU count (200 million)

#8 Nutramax Proviable Chewable Tablets Digestive Health Supplement

Vet Pick: Backed by Research

The Proviable probiotic is available in tasty chews or a capsule; both can be mixed with food for dogs that are hesitant to take pills. With 5 billion CFUs of 7 probiotics, this offers a potent blend of varied microorganisms. It also contains a prebiotic as well as pectin and kaolin, helping to firm loose stool by coating and soothing the GI tract. Our vet team suggested that, while this is a good product, it may not be appropriate for long-term use. The cost per dose is around $0.54/dose.

Things to Consider

Easy-to-administer chewable tablet or capsule form
Multi-strain probiotic
High CFU count
Contains “natural flavorings” that may aggravate certain food allergies

#9 JustFoodForDogs Probiotic Live Capsule Digestive Supplement for Dogs

Vet Pick: High Potency

JustForDogs live capsules offer 6 billion CFUs of probiotics and a prebiotic (to help feed and maintain a healthy population of probiotics). The product is formulated without animal proteins or added ingredients, so it’s good for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. It’s administered in a capsule, which may be challenging for dogs that have trouble taking larger capsules, and it must be refrigerated. The cost per dose depends on how much your pet should get, but ranges from around $0.66/dose to $1.33/dose.

Things to Consider

Low risk of allergic reaction
Supports healthy digestion, featuring multiple strains of beneficial bacteria
High potency mix of 6 probiotics

Adult dogs only
Available only in larger capsules
Must be refrigerated

#10 Vetoquinol Pro-Pectalin Medication for Diarrhea for Cats & Dogs

Vet Pick: For Acute Diarrhea

Our veterinarians liked Vetoquinol's probiotic for acute diarrhea, but don’t generally recommend it for general gut health. Pro-Pectalin is administered via a gel syringe, which may be challenging for high-stress dogs or dogs that don’t like the taste. It contains 200 million CFU of a single probiotic, Enterococcus faecium, plus kaolin and pectin to help aid in reducing occasional loose stools due to environmental stress or changes in diet. Reviewers consider it “excellent for occasional diarrhea” due to dietary and a good over-the-counter short-term choice to manage loose stools until you can get into a veterinary clinic. The cost per dose ranges between $1.06/dose to $1.99/dose, depending on the recommended dosage.

Things to Consider