I’m being very lazy by not doing my own research on this, but does anybody know off-hand if I could give my own probiotics to my dogs if needed? I realize our digestive systems are different, but as far as I know, my probiotics are basically ‘natural”. Any difference in strengths, pill coatings, etc.?

My understanding is the probiotic needs to be stabilized or coated to within the stomach acids. I think I might have started a thread a long time ago but can't remember where it is!

Thanks, I'll do a search.

Aren't yours either coated or stabilized? I think Dr. Becker has an article about probiotics and requirements.

I've always used human probiotics and enzymes for the dogs.

I think it would be better to have a "dog probiotic", but I haven't seen a good one that I thought was sufficient (i.e., with studies)....there are only a few out there, and they have all sorts of allergenic fillers.

It is thought that the coated ones don't work in dogs because they pass through too fast, though they worked when I used them for Indy.

eta: I should add, Max is allergic/intolerant to most probiotics and digestive enzymes, it can be tricky. You are luck GJ you don't have to deal with allergies!

I think your answer is here, Jan.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/hea...st-disease.aspx


Everything I've read states that the probiotic should be coated or stabilized so it withstands the dogs highly acidic stomach. However, the theory that a coated probiotic would pass through rather than colonize the gut also makes sense. I'll have to look into that more.

Per the above article, the difference is in the species appropriate probiotics which certainly makes a lot of sense.

And this is interesting.

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/12_7/features/Probiotic-Supplements-for-Canine_16138-1.html

Thanks much! I'm anxious to start reading...

Oh, and I LOVE Dr. Becker!!! And Cindy too!

I'm not sure where to put this, so I'll just put it here.....

I was using PB8, nondairy version, for Max. It didn't work very well, and I figured it was just him. There was a big difference when I switched to this one: http://www.crohns.net/page/C/PROD/OMX1060

Anyway, LJsMom sent me a review from Consumer Labs that showed that PB8 did not pass their tests and contain *much* less probiotic than stated on their label. It was one of the few that did not pass.

So, I guess the less is, if it doesn't seem like it's working, try a different product!

I use a children's probiotic, because it contains so many more strains of bacteria than the adult ones. It is a powder and is kept refrigerated. I get it at the health food store - a kennel owner (don't know them) gets hers there and swears by the children's type.

I do not put it in my dogs' food since it to be given without any protein. And I feed it at least an hour before a regular meal. I mix a teaspoon into a bit of applesauce and both dogs love it.

I use Natures Way:

http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Primadophilus-Children-5-oz-141-75-g/10270?at=0

I tried the Arks Naturals for dogs, in capsule form and it did not stop Skye's gurgling as did the refrigerated powder.