5 Best Probiotics For Dog Skin Allergies

If your doggy is constantly scratching, licking, or clawing its coat and you have tried all the necessary medicines such as cortisone, hydrocortisone, and antihistamines to reduce the dog’s skin allergies and still the problem is not solved.

Then you need the best probiotics for dog skin allergies. Because the fact is that medications prescribed by veterans are temporary relief to allergies without really getting to the root cause. Probiotics are the natural way to treat skin allergies.

Probiotics offer the essential bacteria that assist in maintaining the right balance of good and bad bacteria in the dog’s stomach. When an imbalance of these two bacteria occurs in the dog’s stomach, the dog’s natural immune system weakens, and skin allergies occur like chronic ear infections and irritable bowel syndrome.

The use of probiotics can provide you with a wholesome solution to treat these skin and stomach allergies.

Why do skin allergies occur in Dogs?

Sometimes the immune system of the dogs weak because of some environmental factors, and using substandard food formulas and other reasons consequently, the following symptoms appear on the dog’s skin:

• Itching.
• Rubbing.
• Scratching.
• Inflammation.
• Redness.
• Licking.
• Rashes. 

The most affected areas of the dog’s skin are the ankles, muzzles, groin, underarms, and between the toes. According to the research by BMC Veterinary Research Journal, the most frequent reasons are hypersensitivity to flea, insect bites, and food intolerances.

What are dog probiotics?

The word probiotic generally refers to a species of gut-friendly bacteria that are used in a situation when a dog’s intestinal balance is destroyed due to the following issues:

• Antibiotics
• Changes in food
• Weaning
• Stress
• Infections
•  Parasites
• High carbohydrate diet
• Eating spoiled food

 These probiotics are beneficial to fight against infections and make the immune system strong. Probiotics make the immune system strong to digest food and help to absorb the vitamins and other vital nutrients in the dog’s body. These are called microimbune, and healthy microimbune is very vital for dog health.

When should you give probiotics to your dog?

Changes in the microimbune may sick your dog, and the following symptoms appear in the dog;

• Cramping
• Bloating
• Poor health
• Upset stomach
• Bad breath
• Diarrhea
•  Allergies
•  Obesity
• Gas

You can give probiotics at any time once a day, and you can give them in any form like pill, powder, and capsule.

When Regular Probiotics Can’t Help Your Dog

Suppose you’ve given probiotics to your dog for a month and observe that your dog’s symptoms are worsening instead of improving. Then the reality is that there are some other problems with your dog’s stomach, which cannot allow probiotics to more robust the immune system. The following are some primary causes:

1. Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) 

SIBO occurs when large numbers of bacteria overgrow in the small intestine of dogs. These bacteria affect the absorption of nutrients and digestion of the dog’s stomach. Significant symptoms of SIBO include:

• Chronic or intermittent diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Gas
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS)
• Food intolerances
• Skin issues
• Leaky gut

The small intestine bacterial problem also occurs when the food you are given to your dog contains a high level of carbs and sugar. This will reduce the gut motility of the drugs on the dog’s stomach.

2. After antibiotics effects

 If you start giving Lactobacillus probiotics after long-term use of antibiotics, then it can cause a delay in the microbiome’s recovery function. In such conditions, Saccharomyces and soil-based probiotics are beneficial to restoring your dog’s microbiome after using antibiotics.

 3. Lack of Diverse Bacteria

In some cases, probiotics don’t colonize for a long time because they aren’t the right strain of bacteria for your dog. Your dog’s digestive system requires a diverse community of different bacterias, fungi, and viruses, to work together to maintain a healthy immune system.

In such cases, it is crucial to add the elements in dog feed that boost gut bacteria in the dog stomach that contains polyphenols and probiotics. Bright yellow, orange, and red-colored vegetables, such as Chlorella, mushrooms, dandelion, Jerusalem artichokes, burdock root, and apples, contain a high amount of Polyphenols that boost digestive function.

Recommendations before using probiotics

The probiotic products usually available in the market usually contain specific bacteria typically found in the canine gut, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, or Enterococcus faecium.

• At the time of buying such types of products, It is usually recommended to dog owners that they pay attention to a series of vital factors that may impact the quality of the prebiotic sources. For example, probiotics contain live bacteria, and specialists suggest to keep only in a cool place.

• Additionally, It is better to use probiotics before their due date. Whenever they have expired, they are insufficient to use because the bacteria have a minimal life.
• Another critical question that comes to the mind of dog owners is whether I give my dog probiotics while on antibiotics? According to veterinary specialists, the answer to this question is yes, as medicines can cause intestinal imbalances in pets.
• If your dog’s condition is not better after giving probiotics, it is necessary to carry out additional medical investigations. All pet owners should know that no medicine should be given to their dogs without any specialized guidance. So. It is necessary to consult your local vet before starting any treatment.
• Do proper research before giving probiotics to your dogs because dogs have many types of bacteria in their stomach.
• Diet can also impact the stomach of dogs, and if your dog takes a high level of carbs in their food. It can cause to change in bacteria in a dog’s stomach. So, it is necessary to consult with your veterinary doctor before giving any formula.

Most common types of probiotics in dogs

The dogs usually contain the following types of friendly bacteria in their intestines:

• Lactobacillus casei
• Bifidobacterium breve 
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Enterococcus faecium
• Lactobacillus acidophilus

To keep these bacterias happy, you need to feed probiotics to your dogs in their food to help them to regrow.

 5 Best probiotics for dogs skin Allergies

About the selection of best dog probiotics, there is usually a bunch of decisions that you can opt for. The most widely recognized sources of friendly bacteria cultures that you can give to your pet are yogurt, powders, capsules, and some special dog foods. Following are some best supplements in the chew and powder form:

1. Zesty Paws Allergy Immune Supplement

Zesty paws aller immune bites are the best product for seasonal dog allergies. If your dog has itched, scalping, bald spots, swollen face, lips, and paws, then these are the symptoms of skin allergies. The ears of the dog might also be itchy sometimes and sneeze a lot of times.

Zesty paws aller supplements get rid of skin allergy problems. This product also supports the immune and gut health functions of dogs. These tasty chewable tablets only contain natural ingredients.

This allergy immune supplement is made in the USA, and the ingredients are also sourced from America and imported from other countries. This supplement includes Epicor which provides vitamins, proteins, fiber, and anti-oxidant elements to the dogs.

This formula is jam-packed with gut-boosting ingredients that feature five strain probiotics and inulin prebiotics for a dog’s good health.

Askalan salmon oil fish contains in this supplement helps to reduce skin itching. Other natural ingredients like colostrum, apple cider vinegar, licorice root, rose to marry extract, pea flour, peanut flour, and flaxseed contain proteins and high-level dietary fibers essential for a dog’s healthy immune function.

Ingredients

• Colostrum.
• EpiCor Fermentate (Made Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
• Apple Cider Vinegar.
• Salmon Oil.
• Organic Licorice Root.
• Total Microbial Count (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus ladis)
• Peanut Flou.
• Palm Fruit Oil.
• Apple Pomace.
• Pea Flour.
• Garbanzo Flour.
• Flaxseed.
• Natural Peanut Butter Flavoring.
• Sunflower Lecithin.
• Sorbic Acid (Natural Preservative).
• Rosemary Extract.
• Mixed Tocopherols.

Final verdict

According to my opinion, this supplement is one of the best probiotics for dog skin allergies on the market. This supplement contains six strains of bacteria, including Ganeden BC30 and the probiotic that reduce stomach acidity. This supplement supports the healthy immune system, reaches the intestines for maximum effect, and promotes regular bowel movements.

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2. PetHonesty Allergy Support Supplement

This supplement helps to relieve the dog’s environmental allergies as well as seasonal or occasional dog allergies. If Your pet is facing issues like dry and itchy skin, joint discomfort, and facing stomach problems, this supplement helps resolve these issues. These soft chews support the healthy immune system of the dogs and also help with dog stomach issues.

PetHonesty’s Allergy Support chews are made from all the natural ingredients like Colostrum, Turmeric, Probiotics, and Salmon Oil and are made in the USA to ensure that your dog is getting high-quality ingredients. This fantastic supplement not only relieves the symptoms but also helps to reduce the root cause of allergies.

All the ingredients in the pet honesty product are natural and free from GMO, sugar, wheat, corn, and preservatives. The Salmon fish oil included in that product helps reduce the dog’s itchy skin problems and improves coat health and shine.

This product comes in two flavors duck and pumpkin and does not contain any wheat, corn, soy, dairy, and other harmful elements.

This supplement resolves the issues of diarrhea, vomiting, and unhealthy bowel movements in the dog. This supplement contains only the ingredients that label on the bottle. This bottle can not contain any hidden ingredients, so you can be assured that you are giving the best dog supplement to relieve your dog for skin, stomach, and seasonal allergies. 

Ingredients

• Salmon oil: good for itchy skin. 
• Rice bran: good for weak stomachs.
• Organic licorice root: good for digestive problems.
• Rosemary extract: contain anti-inflammatory properties.
• Coconut glycerine: relief to dry skin
• Vitamin C: boost the immune system.                     

Final Verdict

If you are searching for a powerful supplement that contains all the natural elements and helps to relieve all the seasonal and environmental allergies. Then this is the ideal supplement for your dog that eliminates the root cause of allergy problems and helps to digest nutrients better.

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3. Canine Probiotic Powder 

If your dog faces severe digestive allergies like explosive diarrhea, loose bowels, gas, bloating, and constipation, then Acidophilus probiotic power keeps the gut healthy and relieves all the sensitive stomach issues.

This powder contains multiple health benefits, and if you are giving antibiotics to your dog, this probiotic formula is beneficial to prevent yeast infections in dogs.

This probiotic powder contains 5 billion CFU per scoop, two and half times higher than any other average probiotic pill available on the market.

If your dog is a fussy eater, then it isn’t easy to give any probiotic supplement.

This powder solves this issue; you can quickly sprinkle this supplement in powder form in dog wet or dry food, and the flavor of this powder is very friendly to the dog’s taste buds.

This supplement provides 180 servings for dogs who have a weight less than 20 lbs and 360 servings for dogs whose weight is above 20 lbs. This immune supplement is made in the USA, and the ingredients are also sourced from the USA and manufactured under the strict restriction of GMP. This powder is for six months if the dog weight is under 40 lbs and 2 to 4 months if the dog weight is over 40 lbs.

Ingredients

• L. Acidophilus
• E. Faecium
• L. Rhamnosus,
• L. Planetarium
• B. Bifidum
• B. Longum
• B. Breve
• L. Casei 
• B. Coagulans
• B. Lactis
• S. Thermophilus
• L. Fermentum.

Final verdict

If you are searching for a good supplement in powder form to solve your dog’s digestive issues, then the canine probiotic supplement is ideal for you. This supplement provides multiple health benefits to your dog, especially if your dog is suffering from various types of stomach allergies. This is also beneficial in the situation if you are given antibiotics.

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4. Strawfield pets pre-probiotic powder for dogs

If you want a supplement that is beneficial for the dog’s overall health and immune system, then this powder is best for your dog. This beef and vegetable flavored powder contain five unique strains of bacterias. Each batch of this supplement is tested individually before leaving the lab.

The nutrients of this powder help resolve different dog allergy issues like gas, bad breath, hot spot treatment, and itchy skin relief. The enzymes contained in that formula feel the dog be healthy and energetic after each meal.

This powder combines pre+probiotics digestive enzymes that help to eliminate various allergy problems and strengthen the immune system. The immune health of the dog starts with gut health. That’s why each scoop of that powder contains 5 billion CFU, which makes gut health strong.

This supplement contains 8 oz per jar, which is equal to 120 scoops of pre&probiotics crafted very carefully for all age dogs like small, medium, giant breed, puppy, adult, and senior dogs.

This supplement can not contain any gluten, grain, soy, salt, sugar, and artificial additives. This supplement is made in the USA in a Federal regulated laboratory, so this is a premium quality supplement.

Ingredients

• Lactobacillus acidophilus Plantarum Lactobacillus Brevis
• Lactobacillus fermentum Lactococcus lactis amylase protease
• lipase cellulose lactose bromelain pumpkin inulin rosemary extra lactobacillus acidophilus lactobacillus Plantarum Lactobacillus Brevis Lactobacillus fermentum Lactococcus lactis amylase protease lipase cellulose lactose bromelain pumpkin inulin rosemary extract.

Final Verdict

The straw field pet supplement is a good combination of pre+probotics supplements that are beneficial for the different types of dog allergies and the overall health of the dog. This supplement also includes a proprietary enzyme that is blended with the pumpkin to improve overall stomach digestion. This formula is suitable for all breeds of dogs of different ages.

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5. PetVitalityPRO Probiotics for Dogs

This dietary supplement contains probiotics, enzymes, and vitamins that help to combat dog skin allergies, digestive disorders, and other problems. The use of this product is beneficial in the particular condition when your dog’s gut flora is lost due to the long time use of antibiotics and other medicines.

The pet vitality supplement contains various strains of bacteria that help to break down or digest the food and control regrow the harmful bacteria or yeasts in the dog’s stomach. This supplement boosts the dog’s immune system by adding enzymes that help to digest and absorb healthy nutrients.

A good amount of vitamins and minerals aid in that supplement helps to improve the dog’s skin and coat. This supplement is suitable for all breed dogs of different age groups and alleviates the allergy issues like gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea, constipation, gas, and malabsorption.

Every batch of these supplements is microbiologically tested in third-party labs to test the safety and purity of the supplement.

Ingredients

Proprietary probiotic/prebiotic blend (L. Plantarum, L. Brevis, L. Lactis, L. Acidophilus, L. Fermentum, FOS Fructooligosaccharides) 4 Billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units) + Papaya (source of digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants) 230 mgs + Proprietary Green SuperFood Formula (source of digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients) 200 mgs + Yeast Extract (source of nucleotides) 50 mgs + Delphinol Maqui Berry Extract (source of anti-oxidants and vitamins) 10 mgs

Final Verdict

This supplement is specially designed for dogs with a sensitive stomach and who lose their gut health due to the long-term use of steroids and other medicines. This supplement helps to recover the particular issues related to skin and stomach, allergies, and the overall health of the dogs. 

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 How to Choose the Best Probiotic for Dog with skin Allergies?

For choosing the best prebiotic supplement for dog health and sound immune system, you must check the following elements in the supplements.

1. CFU Count

Some probiotic supplements for dog skin allergies will indicate their CFU (colony forming unit) to determine the effectiveness of the supplements on the dog’s stomach and overall body.

The CFU is the estimated amount of bacteria that your dog receives in a daily serving amount. Mostly your dog requires 1-3 billion CFU per dose for maintaining healthy immune function.

2. Form of the Probiotics

Probiotics are available in different forms in the market like powder form, capsules, chews, and dog food. You want to give the best from these options by observing your dog’s inclinations.

For most dogs, powder forms are best. Because mostly the powders are flavorless and aroma-free, you only sprinkle them on your dogy food. But sometimes, powder supplements are not suitable for dogs. In that situation, pills are very suitable for dogs.

3. Includes prebiotics

The best probiotic supplement also contains prebiotics that alleviates the microorganisms’ efficacy and help them to thrive. Because prebiotics is nutritional elements, often carbohydrates, which encourage the activity and growth of the dogs and also help to make gut health bacteria strong.

4. Hypoallergenic 

If your dog has a sensitive stomach, then always select the hypoallergenic form of supplements.

5. Pack size

It is also essential to estimate the number of supplements you purchase that are under your budget and the estimated use of that product. If you want to purchase probiotics for the long-term treatment of skin allergies, then you need a large pack.

If you want to buy a pack for an existing issue and plan to give it for a short period, then a small jar of supplement is sufficient.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Are Probiotics Important for Your Dog’s Health?

Probiotics are healthy bacteria that play a vital role in good dog health. Probiotics can provide many benefits to the stomach and the whole body, like digesting food and helps absorbing vitamins and minerals. Probiotics keep the dog’s body energized by keeping the immune system strong.

2. What Are the Best Probiotics for Dogs?

There are different kinds of probiotics available in the market, including food-based probiotics, powders, and pills. A good source of natural probiotics in food is yogurt or kefir live cultures. Sometimes some brands make yogurt or kefir with artificial flavors or sweeteners that cannot contain probiotics, and these are unsuitable for dog health. Only natural yogurt is beneficial for the dog’s health.

3. What are the Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs?

Probiotics provide several benefits related to health like:

• Probiotics manage yeast and support the immune system.
• It prevents anxiety.
• Probiotics help to reduce the stress factor.
• Probiotics control food and stomach allergies.

 4. What are the Side Effects of Probiotics for Dogs?

Some dogs may experience digestive discomforts like gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea feelings. These digestive symptoms sometimes temporarily get worse instead of improving. A change in appetite and feeding schedule is the first symptom of an adverse reaction to the dog.

5. How Long Should Dogs Be On Probiotics?

The time depends on the nature of the problem for which vet doctors prescribed probiotics for dogs. If you are giving probiotics to your dog because of their sensitive stomach issues, then after a short period of time, recovery occurs then, consult with a vet doc.

There are proposed benefits of probiotics on the dog’s immune system, and they are likely to take an extended time, usually one month. 

6. How You can Select the Best Dog Probiotic?

You can select the best dog probiotic for a dog with allergies by observing the CFU count in the supplement and distinctive, whether it is available in pills, powder, and food form. Another worth considering factor is to consider that whether probiotic supplements contain prebiotic elements or not. The above selection criteria related to probiotic supplements also help you. 

7. What are The Natural Probiotic foods For Dogs?

The following are foods that contain natural probiotics:

• Yogurt
• kefir
• banana
• onion
• Honey
• Kimchi and Jerusalem artichokes

8. What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?

Probiotics are generally a new strain of bacteria that seeds in the dog’s gut to make the immune system healthy and treat various stomach and skin allergy problems. On the other hand, prebiotics support or feed the new strain of bacteria already in the dog’s gut.

9. Are dog probiotics are same as human probiotics?

Yes, dogs can also take human probiotics. They are not harmful to a dog’s health. But they are not beneficial as the probiotics that are specifically manufactured for dogs. The dog probiotics are manufactured keeping in mind the specific strain of bacteria that are beneficial for the dog’s health.

Conclusion

When your lovely pet is suffering from bouts of skin and stomach allergies, then effective probiotics can take care of his gut and skin health. Whether your dog suffers occasional stomach upset or has skin allergies like itching, licking, biting, and scratching, the best probiotics for a dog with skin allergies is a natural and healthy way to treat his tract GI.  

Always remember consistency is a key to feeding probiotics to your dog. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian’s recommendations after a regular interval of time and follow up if your dog cannot get better after a few weeks.

References:

• https://probioticscouncil.org/how-probiotics-for-dogs-can-help-reduce-itchy-skin/
• https://www.caninecampus.us/what-every-dog-owner-should-know-about-probiotics-for-dogs