If your poor fur baby is having digestive troubles or they can’t seem to stop scratching their ears or face, then listen up pup parent, because probiotic dog chews could be the answer to your worry and frustration.
Your dog’s gut health is SO important and even though it’s kind of a nasty topic, if you ignore it, it could lead to irreversible issues down the road.
Don’t worry. I’m here to help you through it. I’ve had my fair share of doggy gut health adventures.
In this blog we’re going to cover five serious signs your dog’s gut health is in desperate need of attention and how to help remedy them. I’ll dig deep into the causes of your dog’s digestive distress and share some practical tips and suggestions for making your life easier and your dog’s life far more healthy and comfortable.
By the time we’re done, you should have a clear picture of where to go next. Ready? Let’s get waggin’.
1. Ongoing diarrhea or vomiting
Your poor baby doesn’t have words to tell you about their digestive distress. Watch for any signs of discomfort and take immediate steps to help.
One of the clearest signs your dog is in need of probiotic help is what their front and back end are doing.
If your pooch is asking for more potty breaks than normal or the color, consistency or even odor of their waste is unusual or extra off-putting, there’s probably something wrong in the tummy department.
Watch for the signs of dehydration or fever as these could easily become an issue if it continues.
It’s extremely important to pay attention to your dog’s body language. Constant puddles of liquid poop or anything containing blood is reason enough to call your vet immediately and give them every detail you can think of.
Your poor pup may be experiencing trouble at the other end of the rectum with frequent bouts of vomiting and heaving as well. If that’s the case (whether there’s anything coming out or not), you’ll need to remove any food for at least 24 hours to give their systems a break from digestion.
If any of this sounds like your dog’s woes, there is an option for you to try..
How probiotic dog chews rebalance your dog’s digestive tract
Ok, so the big fancy scientific terms for these ingredients are listed on our probiotic dog chews page, but in the simplest terms, they’re ingredients from various foods, plants, and animal products that feed the healthy bacteria in your dog’s gut.
When your dog ingests quality supplements made with these good bacteria, it not only helps to soothe their insides, but also gives them added protection against the issue coming back.
Essentially your dog’s gut health is supported from all sides when they consistently take a high-quality probiotic chew, because the active ingredients will work in the long-term helping to repair and rebuild your dog’s microbiome.
Bottom line: It soothes your dog from the inside out.
Why quality matters in probiotic dog chews
One of the best ways to tell if a company is being sincere with their quality standards is to check the sources they get their supply from. Reputable suppliers are the lifeblood of quality probiotic dog chews. When it comes to hand-selected ingredients for science-backed formulas there’s no room for cutting corners, so it’s important you recognize that cheaper isn’t always better.
High-quality companies are transparent with their claims and proofs of their probiotic dog chews and won’t shy away from questions or suggestions.
Pay attention to the labels. They should clearly state the ingredients, quantities, and offer a guarantee on freshness and standards.
2. Allergies or negative reactions to food
If your pup scratches or shakes a lot, they may have allergies stemming from gut issues. Try probiotic chews to rebalance their system.
Your dog’s gut health is the first place I suggest you examine when it comes to managing their allergies or negative reactions to food.
Inflammation inside your dog’s body can not only make them uncomfortable, but also cause them to scratch, chew or lick incessantly leading to open sores and hair loss at the very least.
If your pup isn’t finding their satifaction after a few quick scratches at their collar, you may want to consider getting them on a regular routine of quality probiotic chews. Nutrient absorption trouble is common among dogs with allergies and can show itself in all kinds of ways from constant grazing or begging for more food to lethargy or weight loss.
Talk to your vet and get some recommendations for when and how often your pup can begin taking a probiotic chew to help feed their gut what it needs to ease that itch.
Why probiotic dog chews are useful for dog allergies
When you feed your dog a high-quality probiotic chew you’re feeding and nourishing good bacteria in their gut and giving them the exact support they need to be able to help find relief from sneezing, itching, and infection. Probiotic dog chews that are made and held to the highest standards, will always do their part in supporting the antioxidant process to fight off bad bacteria and free radicals from growing inside your beloved pooch.
We want our dogs to be happy and healthy. So, making sure they have what they need in the way of nutritional support for their gut is key to helping them live their best life.
Ingredients that make a positive difference for your dog’s allergies
One of the best ingredients to help your dog keep their allergies at bay is Lactobacillus Rhamnosus.
Yes. It's a five dollar word. It means the guys in the labcoats use their magical machinery to isolate beneficial bacteria that comes from fermented foods and dairy products.
(You don’t know how long it took me to arrange that sentence in a way that made sense, haha!)
But jokes aside, the cool thing about this ingredient is that it keeps working for your dog’s future gut health. It actually rebuilds the colon walls and helps to manage illnesses like IBS.
However, to every Batman, there is a Penguin somewhere in the mix. Don’t be fooled by every product claiming “fast results” or “backed by science” without doing a little digging into the sources and ingredients listed.
Here are a few sneaky things to watch out for that could do more harm than good to your dog's gut health.
- Artificial sweeteners (Xylitol is lethally toxic!)
- Unclear sources or strain information
- Unnecessary additives or fillers
- No CFU (colon-forming unit) count on the label
- Doesn’t specify dog-safe ingredients
Do your due diligence to read the labels and spend some time looking into the benefits of particular ingredients. It’s not worth taking a risk and making things worse.
3. Ear infections or skin irritations
If your pup constantly has ear infections, it may be due to an unhealthy gut. Talk to your vet to get recommendations for adding in probiotic chews.
I’m sure you’ve either had or met a poor unfortunate puppy dog with an ear infection. It just breaks my heart to watch them shake their head or dig their claws into their ear canal.
There are three levels of ear infections: outer, middle, inner. Each one can stem from an unhealthy microbiome in their gut as it directly affects their immune system and ability to fight off disease and infection.
The more severe cases can cause loss of hearing and even mess with their ability to walk straight (equilibrium).
Bad gut health can also lead to a myriad of skin issues. Mange, mites, fleas & ticks, ringworms and more are encouraged to come and stay awhile in a pooch that doesn't have a protective barrier produced by their microbiome that keeps the pests from roosting.
Ways probiotic dog chews can help eliminate/lessen your dog’s ear/skin issues
The good bacteria in your dog’s gut has several functions beyond just keeping them regular. It feeds into every area of your dog’s body, supporting each major and minor area of their life.
A high-quality probiotic dog chew not only helps to restore and regulate a healthy bacteria level in your dog’s ears and skin, but it also inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria that can lead to stinky infections, painful whining, and even broken sores and bleeding if not treated.
Probiotic dog chew ingredients that can help your dog’s ear & skin issues
- Lactobacillus acidophilus is a major component in Petibles Probiotic Dog Chews that works by restoring balance to your dog’s gut without overwhelming it or causing distress.
- Saccharomyces Cerevisiae is another element that provides a boost in skin health by supporting your dog’s overall immunity through the use of B vitamins and digestive aid.
Note: I do want to mention that even if your dog has the healthiest gut around, poor hygiene practices can still cause issues with skin, ears, teeth, gut and more.
It’s important to keep your dog well groomed and their nails trimmed. If you aren’t confident you can do this on your own, seek a friend;s help or take your pooch to a professional groomer to help them have the best chance for their healthiest life.
4. Parasites or extreme weight loss
If your dog has suffered noticeable weight loss or a parasitic infestation, call your vet immediately to begin the process of rebuilding their gut health.
Ok….I’ll be honest here, I REALLY don’t like talking about worms or parasites inside my dog. I’m sure you don’t either.
But the truth is that if we don’t keep up on their gut health, these nasty little bugs will rear their ugly heads and then it will be ten times harder (and much more uncomfortable for your dog) to fix.
Your dog’s gut health isn’t just about what’s coming out their back end, it’s about every inch inside (and outside) their body. Roundworms, coccidia, whipworms, tapeworms, giardia…the list goes on and on of what could make its home inside your poor pup if they don’t have the right level of good bacteria to protect them.
Oftentimes weight loss can be an indicator of bad gut health as well and if left uncared for, can wreak havoc on your dog’s immune system, making it extremely hard to repair.
Probiotic dog chews rebuild your dog’s microbiome
Gut health boost and immune system support are key in crafting a high-quality probiotic dog chew. When the proper ingredients are included, they work to reshape and rebuild your dog’s microbiome and aid in helping nutrients to be absorbed more easily.
This starts a chain reaction that also helps with weight regulation, and gives your dog’s system a fighting chance to bounce back if they’ve had trouble keeping on the pounds or losing them.
Ingredients in probiotic dog chews that combat parasites and promote gut health
- Bifidobacterium Thermophilum is an ingredient that works to rebuild your dog’s microbiome by helping them break down and absorb their food.
- Inulin is a weight regulator that helps to keep your dog’s immune and digestive health in check by passing through the small intestine and only feeding the good bacteria in the large intestine to ensure a complete and healthy balance of support.
Note: Just another quick tip here to make sure you watch your dog for emergency signs that require immediate care.
If your dog is heaving uncontrollably or can’t keep water down, take them to the pet ER right away. Have a plan in place in case things go sideways while nursing your dog back to health, and be sure to keep track of every detail you can to share with your vet for the most accurate treatment recommendation.
5. Excessive shedding or foul body odor
Dog hair is a fact of life. (Even for those non-shedding types.) But there is a distinct difference between regular shedding and excessive shedding.
If you’re familiar with your dog’s breed, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect in this area, but if you notice chunks of hair missing, bald spots, itchy red patches, legions or anything else unusual, it’s time to consider their gut health by trying a probiotic dog chew.
Understanding your dog’s natural odor level is another key to recognizing when things may not be well in the gut department.
Skin conditions, behavioral changes and even appetite can all be indicators there’s something wrong. If you notice things are starting to get out of hand, ask your vet for recommendations on giving probiotics to support your dog’s gut and look into an updated grooming routine to manage any conditions that arise.
When to consider probiotic chews for your dog’s shedding or odor issues
If you’re finding your pooch has an unusually strong (and bad) smell, it could be coming from their ears, skin, feet, teeth, or even anal glands.
Investigate the cause and if you’ve kept your dog well groomed with no infections, undercoat dirt or plaque buildup on their teeth, the foul smell could be coming from an imbalance in gut health.
Be sure to look for ingredients in a probiotic dog chew that help to maintain a healthy pH level to their skin and create a nutritional balance that will stop bad bacteria or a yeast infection while promoting the good bacterial growth.
Which probiotic dog chew ingredients aid in skin and coat health
- Organic Tapioca Flour is an excellent component in supporting your dog’s skin and coat as it absorbs excess oils while keeping a moisturized balance from the inside out.
- Dry Beef Liver Powder is a great source of iron, zinc, copper, B vitamins and amino acids that all work together to help rebuild the natural pH of your dog’s skin.
Some things you can try when it comes to managing your dog’s shedding and odor levels:
- Regular bathing and brushing
- Feeding a high-quality probiotic chew
- Making sure your dog gets enough exercise and nutrition
- Keeping hydration at the forefront
Consider these signs and make the decision to try a good natural probiotic dog chew that has the potential to make a positive impact for both you and your dog.
Your dog’s best health is just around the corner!
Your dog’s health and happiness are in your hands. Give them the gift of thriving from the inside out with natural probiotic dog chews.
Well there you have it! You’ve just learned five serious signs that could mean your dog’s gut health is on the fritz.
Take time to go through this article with your vet and if they have any recommendations or suggestions work together to get your dog back to their old self again.
I hope you found this helpful. If you did or if you have any questions about Petibles Natural Probiotic Dog Chews, contact us! We’re always happy to help if we can.
Best of luck to you and your sweet bundle of fur 🐕
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Have questions about Petibles Chews or want to read stories of other dogs who’ve succeeded from our natural dog supplement?
Check out our testimonials here to see what pup parents are saying about Petibles natural dog chews (Plus, there’s a coupon you can use for 10% off your first subscription order.)
To your dog’s health and happiness! May you ever be connected on this crazy adventure called life.
Writer at Petibles
My Bio: Hi, pup parent! I’m Allison, a dog copywriter, but most importantly, a dog mom (just like you!) My love for dogs started when I was very young, and I’ve had the privilege of working with many four-legged fur babies throughout all different walks of life.
I decided to share my love for (and experience with) dogs to help other pup parents who may need a shoulder to lean on or a friend to confide in, so I put myself through specialized training for writing and working with man’s best friend in the effort to create helpful content for dog moms and dads all over the world.
I currently live in Indiana with my husband Joshua, two cats, and our squishy, little wrinkle-faced Pug, Piper Jean, who almost made it to the show ring, but retired early to live a life of absolute leisure 😌🐶