Dog Community

Probyotics?

sillysally

Posted : 7/2/2006 11:54:43 AM

What is the idea behind feeding them? Should you give them every day, or only when there is a problem?

sooner

Posted : 7/2/2006 12:17:53 PM

I think the most common use is to give them while giving antibiotics. The antibiotics kill off all the bad bacteria in the gut, but they also kill off all the good bacteria and the probiotics help to replace those. They can also give the system a boost during times of stress or illness. For a normal healthy dog daily supplementation isn't necessary, in fact it can cause the body to become lazy about producing its own enzymes. Boomer has a pretty sensitive stomach so I use them when switching foods too.

cindy w.

Posted : 7/2/2006 1:33:36 PM

Some dog foods already have them in their kibble.

thedoc617

Posted : 7/2/2006 7:17:40 PM

I know when Daisy was having a bought of diarrhea, the (somewhat holistic) vet told us to start giving her probiotics for her intestines. She also had a yeast problem, so the probiotics help that a little bit. It's basically the beneficial bacteria that you find in yogurt.

The brand I give Daisy is a pill made for people actually. The name is Enzymatic Therapy Acidolphilus pearls. I give her one pearl in the morning and one at night. I haven't been using them regurally because she hasn't had any stomach problems, but you can give them on a daily basis with no harm I think.

Margaret Tyler

Posted : 7/2/2006 7:26:35 PM

Hi, you can give them everyday. Probiotics also help an animal digest more nutrients out of their food. But, probiotics also help with digestive upsets. Also , as mentioned before, probiotics should be given when a animal has to take antibiotics because antibiotics will kill the probiotics already in the dogs body.

You're feeding Nature's Variety, which doesn't contain probiotics, but does contain m.... (sorry I can't remember what this "m" word is call) clay. M... clay feeds the probiotics already in Sally's digestive tract. Basically, it keeps the probiotics the dog already has alive. Their is no such thing as too much probiotics, so you can give it if you want, but you don't have to unless she has a problem.

papillon806

Posted : 7/2/2006 7:34:43 PM

Probiotics are good for all the reasons listed above, but you want to be careful with them and not feed them to a puppy for a long period of time. I was told that this can cause their body to rely on the probiotics and stop making the "good bacteria" on their own.

Margaret Tyler

Posted : 7/2/2006 7:36:13 PM

ORIGINAL: papillon806

Probiotics are good for all the reasons listed above, but you want to be careful with them and not feed them to a puppy for a long period of time. I was told that this can cause their body to rely on the probiotics and stop making the "good bacteria" on their own.

Wow, papillon that's good info to know thanks![

]

dyan

Posted : 7/2/2006 9:51:40 PM

While trying to find a good answer to your question should you use probiotics every day or only when there is a problem...I read the preface to my catalog where I purchase my probiotics, DogZymes. It says: "years of experience proves that the sensible program is to use it for mainenance to prevent a health crisis." Actually, I think the best thing is to read what they say about probiotics, even though they are talking about their own. Here is the link: [linkhttp://www.naturesfarmacywest.com/Probiotic.htm]http://www.naturesfarmacywest.com/Probiotic.htm[/link]
For me, I have a Great Dane and the breed is subject to bloat, and I sure hope to prevent that by giving her probiotics every day!