Guide to Natural Probiotics for Dogs
Dogs rely on a healthy digestive system to feel their best, and probiotics can help keep everything running smoothly. While many people reach for probiotic supplements, nature already provides what your dog needs. Natural probiotics for dogs can be found in all sorts of natural, unprocessed foods!
What Are Probiotics for Dogs?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live inside your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. This community of bacteria is called the microbiome, and it plays a huge role in your dog’s overall health. A balanced microbiome helps digest food, absorb nutrients, and strengthen the immune system.
Sometimes, this balance gets disrupted. Antibiotics, stress, aging, illness, or sudden changes in diet can throw off the natural bacteria in your dog’s gut. When that happens, harmful bacteria can take over, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, gas, bloating, or bad breath. Adding natural probiotics back into your dog’s diet helps restore balance to the digestive system.
Benefits of Probiotics
Probiotics do more than just support digestion and contribute to your dog’s health in many ways, such as:
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Firmer, more regular stools
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Reduced gas and bloating
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Improved nutrient absorption and overall energy
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Healthier skin and a shinier coat
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Fewer allergy-related symptoms
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Better immune response
Because natural probiotics come from real food, they work in harmony with your dog’s body. They don’t just add bacteria; they nourish the entire digestive ecosystem, helping those good microbes thrive over time.
Signs Your Dog Needs Probiotics
When the gut microbiome is out of balance, it often shows up through physical or behavioral changes. Some of the most common signs your dog might need probiotics include:
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Loose, runny, or inconsistent stool
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Smelly gas or frequent bloating
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Itchy skin or a dull coat
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Loss of appetite or sudden weight changes
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Low energy or increased anxiety
If your dog shows these symptoms frequently, it’s a good idea to talk with your veterinarian. Once medical issues are ruled out, adding natural probiotics through food can be a gentle and effective way to bring their gut back into balance.
Natural Sources of Probiotics for Dogs
There are several ways to give your dog probiotics, but not all are equally beneficial. Yogurt, raw goat’s milk, kefir, and fermented vegetables all contain active cultures. Be sure to avoid any options with sweeteners that can upset a dog’s stomach. Pet-safe probiotic supplements are another option.
The most natural and effective way to add probiotics is through raw food. Raw pet food contains living enzymes and beneficial bacteria that processed food cannot match. These natural probiotics are part of the food itself, which means they integrate easily into your dog’s system and support better digestion without artificial additives.
Steve’s Real Food: Dog Food with Probiotics
At Steve’s Real Food, we believe that nature knows best. Our raw recipes are crafted from whole, unprocessed ingredients that naturally support a healthy gut. Because our food is minimally processed, it retains the beneficial bacteria and enzymes that make raw diets so valuable. We use purpose-driven ingredients to deliver essential nutrients (instead of synthetic vitamins) and support the microbiome, like raw goat milk, inulin (sourced from chicory root), coconut oil, and more. Each meal is designed to provide the perfect balance of proteins, fats, and micronutrients while promoting healthy digestion.
Protein Bites
For a convenient way to boost your dog’s gut health, Protein Bites treats are a perfect choice. These freeze-dried, fermented treats are crafted from high quality proteins and a blend of organic produce to deliver natural prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics in each bite. Our Protein Bites are made with ingredients like ground lamb or chicken, organic collard greens, organic cauliflower, carrots, ginger, chamomile, peppermint, and more—all fermented through a “wild fermentation” process developed by Gussy’s Gut.
Keep Their Gut Happy
Probiotics are a small thing that can make a big difference in your dog’s life. They help with digestion, immunity, energy, and even mood. Feeding your dog Steve’s Real Food means you’re nourishing them from the inside out. Each bowl is full of life, supporting the good bacteria that keep your pup healthy, vibrant, and happy. Get 25% off your first order using code WOOF25!
