Best Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies – Buyer’s Guide, Reviews and Comparisons

Top Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies Comparison Table

What Are Dog Probiotics?

How Can Natural Probiotics for Dogs Help its Skin?

How Dog Allergies Begin

Causes of Dog Skin Allergies

Why Your Pooch Needs the Best Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies

How to Choose the Best Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies

The Top Five Best Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies

Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies Frequently Asked Questions

TOP RECOMMENDED PROBIOTICS FOR DOG SKIN ALLERGIES

Zesty Paws Probiotic for Dogs

• Stomach-acid resistant.
• Contains only natural ingredients.
• Grain-free.
• Suitable for dogs of all ages.
• 3 billion CFUs and six strains of bacteria.

Sit back, and I’ll explain the most powerful and effective treatments for your dog’s skin issues—plus, how to choose the ideal product.

However, if you’re in a rush, here are the top five:

Top Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies Comparison Table

The Five Best Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies

1. Zesty Paws Probiotic for Dogs
2. Pet Naturals of Vermont Daily Probiotic
3. Pet Ultimates Probiotics for Dogs
4. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Probiotics Fortiflora
5. Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy Food

What Are Dog Probiotics?

If you’ve never heard of dog probiotics before, their characteristics may sound a little alarming.

In short, they are live bacterial microorganisms that your prized pooch ingests—usually in the form of food or treats.

You see, bacteria aren’t always the evil enemy.

It’s true, some can cause illness—but there’s also the healthy variety—probiotics. These tiny organisms elevate the levels of your doggie’s stomach flora—boosting its health.

And, this isn’t some new-age, magic pill voodoo nonsense.

Research, published in the Frontiers of Immunology journal, proves that probiotics are a powerful way of heightening canine wellbeing.

How Can Natural Probiotics for Dogs Help its Skin?

But they’re only addressing the symptoms—not the cause.

Most commonly, dog allergies begin due to an underperforming or dysfunctioning immune system and/or GI (gastrointestinal) tract,

The best dog probiotics ensure the immune system works correctly and elevates gut health—thus helping to prevent skin allergies.

How Dog Allergies Begin

Whether it’s you or your pooch—the allergic response occurs in the same way.

The immune system misfires, and incorrectly identifies harmless foods or environmental substances as a threat to wellbeing—even though they’re completely safe. Hence, it tries to eliminate these perceived dangers to protect the body.

This results in inflammation, rashes, and itches—and your dog scratching or licking.

Furthermore, if the GI tract isn’t functioning at optimum levels, even standard dog food can cause skin allergies.

Most often, its proteins that cause the issue—although it can be any compound that the stomach finds hard to digest. You’d assume that intestinal issues would result in adverse reactions, such as vomiting or diarrhea—and to a certain extent, that’s true.

However, it’s not the most common manifestation of a reaction.

Instead, it’s the skin that often indicates when there’s an issue.

Many airborne particulates or substances that your pooch comes into direct contact with will cause a dermatological allergy. However, surprisingly, 20 percent of all canine skin issues are related to food.

Giving your fur baby the best probiotics for dogs can prevent food-induced discomfort.

Causes of Dog Skin Allergies

Typically, the areas this disease affects are ankles, muzzle, groin, underarms, and in between the toes.

While any substance can cause atopic dermatitis, according to the BMC Veterinary Research Journal, the most frequent culprits are hypersensitivity to flea or insect bites and food intolerances.

Why Your Pooch Needs the Best Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies

You want your bestie beastie to have the most comfortable, healthy and enjoyable life it can. 

Here are the main reasons to treat your handsome hound to the best dog probiotics. It can:

• Treat the cause of skin allergies—not just the symptoms.
• Be a natural way to solve dermatological issues without harsh medications.
• Be easier to administer than pills, ointments or syrups.
• Prevent skin issues before they occur.
• Improve digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Also prevent non-dermatological allergic reactions such as vomiting and diarrhea.

How to Choose the Best Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies

This estimates the total number of bacteria your doggie receives in every serving or dose. Once inside your pup’s digestive tracts, it multiplies. Generally speaking, dogs will need around 1-3 billion CFUs.

Species of Bacteria

If you’re like me, you may often believe your dog is basically a little furry human. At least, I talk to mine as if they are.

When it comes to the intestines, this is true.

Research shows that the canine and human gut are remarkably similar—both in function and the number of bacteria.

There are around 1000 different species that can occupy our stomachs, or that of our dogs—although, at any one time, there’s usually only around 150 living inside us.

These bacteria work in different ways and, based on your pooch’s genetic makeup, will work to a greater or lesser extent. Hence, it’s worth considering products with more than one probiotic strain, for maximum efficacy.

Form of the Probiotics

The majority of the best dog probiotics come in two different forms—powder or treats—the choice depends on your pooch’s particular inclinations.

For most dogs, the powder form may be the best. Usually flavorless and aroma-free, you simply sprinkle it onto your doggie’s normal food.

Hence, hopefully, your fur baby will not notice anything out of the ordinary, and happily consume its skin allergy-busting treatment without any suspicion.

Sometimes though, as you know, it’s not that simple.

Some pooches have an uncanny knack of noticing anything slightly untoward. Even if they can’t smell or taste the powder, they may wonder why you’re taking longer to serve their food—and covering it in something unusual.

In these circumstances, chewable treat-like servings of probiotics could be the more suitable alternative.

You can buy probiotic pills—but they’re somewhat difficult to get hold of—and incredibly hard to administer.

Includes Prebiotics

Prebiotics are compounds (often carbohydrates) which encourage the growth, increase the activity, and feed healthy gut bacteria.

Some of the best probiotics for dogs will also contain prebiotics—which will elevate the efficacy of the microorganisms and help them to thrive.

Pack Size

It’s worth considering exactly how much product you’re receiving for your money—and your estimated usage.

If you’re considering using probiotics as a long-term measure—to prevent skin allergies and promote healthy digestion—you’ll need a large pack size.

Conversely, if you only want the product to deal with an existing skin issue and plan to cease use one the probiotics have worked their magic—a smaller volume may suffice.

Hypoallergenic

If your dog has a highly sensitive stomach—choosing a hypoallergenic form may be beneficial.

These products often omit common allergens, such as single proteins, grain and wheat, that may cause skin issues. Furthermore, should your pooch have gut issues, there are numerous hypoallergenic everyday foods that are highly effective at solving intestinal problems.

Additional Ingredients

You want your dog to have every chance of recovering from its dermatological issues—and there are some powerful compounds to assist.

Some key ingredients to watch out for are:

• Omega-3 fatty acids—reduce swelling and redness by lowering the inflammatory response.
• Vitamins A and E— a study from the American Veterinary Medical Association shows that vitamin A heals skin—and also elevates coat health. Furthermore, allergic reactions can cause cell damage—vitamin E heightens the immune system and boosts cell regeneration.

Zinc—highly effective at treating dermatitis

The Top Five Best Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies

After researching extensively customers’ probiotics for dogs reviews, industry expert opinions, and my own experience and knowledge—allow me to reveal the best probiotics for dog skin allergies.

1. Zesty Paws Probiotic for Dogs

This supplement contains six different strains of bacteria, including Ganeden BC30, a probiotic that can withstand stomach acid—ensuring it reaches the intestines without being destroyed, for maximum effect.

Completely grain-free, this probiotic also incorporates papaya to support your pup’s digestive enzymes, and pumpkin as a fiber source to promote regular bowel movements.

Keep in Mind

• Lacks additional ingredients for skin support—such as vitamins A and E.

2. Pet Naturals of Vermont Daily Probiotic

Additionally, this probiotic contains aloe vera concentrate. This may appeal if your doggie has scratched so much that it’s caused wounds—since research shows that aloe vera heals skin damage.

Keep in Mind

• Only contains one strain of bacteria.
• Fairly low CFU.

3. Pet Ultimates Probiotics for Dogs

Keep in Mind

• Lacks skin-healing compounds.

4. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Probiotics Fortiflora

Keep in Mind

• Contains no prebiotics.
• Only one month’s supply.
• Includes animal digest—a controversial ingredient.

5. Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy Food

This probiotic food is available in numerous forms, for toy, small and large dogs. This ensures that your puppy obtains all the nutrients it needs, and in the most beneficial amounts for its size.

Keep in Mind

• Not suitable for dogs over one year of age.
• Contains compounds (corn gluten and wheat) that can cause allergies.
• Only one strain of probiotic.

Probiotics for Dog Skin Allergies Frequently Asked Questions

“Do Dog Probiotics Work?”

Yes.

Research shows that healthy bacteria boost the immune system and gut health of dogs.

This prevents your pooch from reacting to food, environmental and seasonal allergens.

“Is It Ok to Give My Dog Probiotics Every Day?”

The majority of the best probiotics for dogs are suitable for everyday use.

However, always check the manufacturer’s instructions for dosage and frequency—as this may vary across different products.

“Can You Give a Dog Too Many Probiotics?”

Probiotics are natural bacteria that occur in your dog’s GI tract. Hence, it’s highly improbable that you can overdose your dog.

If you do accidentally exceed the manufacturer’s dosage recommendations, the dog’s stomach usually reacts by expelling the probiotics—meaning a case of diarrhea for a couple of days.

Naturally, should any adverse reactions occur that don’t subside—consult a veterinarian. 

“Can I Give Human Probiotics to My Dog?

It’s unlikely that they would do them any harm, as the human gut is remarkably similar to that of dogs.

However, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Canine probiotics often contain bacteria that are specific to the intestines of dogs, and human probiotics can include microorganisms specific to your gut.

When treating your pooch’s skin allergy, you want the most effective treatment—and that will be a formula designed for their physiology, not yours.