Are you looking for a probiotic supplement to support your dog’s healthy diet and lifestyle?
There is an increasing number of specifically-formulated probiotics for dogs available in the UK as the pet supplement market continues to grow rapidly.
Caring for your dog includes giving them the right amount of exercise and feeding them a healthy diet – and supplements such as the ones featured on this page may help to support a healthy gut and be a good addition to your dog’s routine.
Like most dogs, my Alaskan Klee Kai have experienced digestive problems in the past, usually due to the fact that they’ve eaten something on the ground during a walk or because I’ve fed them some scraps from the table that didn’t agree with their tummies.
Of course, supplements are not ‘magic tablets’ that will make your dog’s problems disappear, but your vet may recommend adding a probiotic into your dog’s feeding routine in certain situations.
Always consult with your veterinarian to get their tailored advice before you decide on whether add a probiotic to your dog’s diet. For serious digestive upsets, speak to your vet immediately.
Many pet companies in the UK have begun adding probiotics to their range of dog food as dog owners look to adopt a more balanced, complete and healthy approach to their pup’s diet.
In this article we’re going to take a look at four dog food brands who have released probiotics designed specifically with canines in mind.
So, let’s get started and take a look at some of the best probiotics for dogs available in the UK right now.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. Our articles and the products featured in them are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems for you and/or your pet. It's always best to consult your vet regarding any health issues your pet may have.
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Best Probiotics For Dogs UK
| Rating | Summary | Website | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YuMOVE Digestive Care |
|
• Capsule Form • Save 30% • Made In UK | Buy Now | |
| ProPlan FortiFlora |
|
• Powder Sachets • Vet Approved • Available On Amazon | Buy Now | |
| Happy Tummy |
|
• Powder Form • Comes With Scoop • Vet Approved | Buy Now | |
| Gutomizer |
|
• Liquid Format • Newer Product • Organic | Buy Now |
Probiotics For Dogs – The Basics
Shih Tzu stares at dog supplement (Photo: Adobe Stock)
For humans, the term ‘probiotic’ refers to live microorganisms, or active bacteria, that can support a healthy gut and digestive system. They can be found in yogurts and other fermented foods, and are also available as dietary supplements.
Just like humans, dogs have millions of microorganisms, also known as live ‘friendly’ bacteria, living in their gut. As is the case with the human version of this popular form of supplement, probiotics may play a role in supporting your dog’s gut health.
The PSDA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) write on their website that probiotics can be used to help ‘top-up’ your dog’s gut bacteria if it’s been disrupted by things such as illness or medication.
The PDSA also say that probiotics can be useful for some pets but not all. For that reason, they recommend that dog owners consult with their vet before feeding them a probiotic.
Forms Of Probiotics For Dogs
There are a variety of different forms of probiotics for dogs, ranging from capsules to powders.
• Tablets – These are usually chewable tablets or capsules that can given to your dog as stated on the label or as directed by your vet. Some tablets can be ground up and added to your dog’s usual food if required.
• Powders – These are a powder-form supplement designed to be sprinkled and added to your dog’s usual meal. They usually come in individual sachets or a larger tub with a scoop. These supplements will usually have slightly different doses of powder depending on the size and weight of your dog.
• Liquids – Liquid-form supplements can simply be poured into a bowl for your dog to enjoy. Again, the exact serving size is likely to vary depending on the size and weight of your furry friend.
Best Probiotics For Dogs UK – Our Pick
Editor's note: Be sure to check the latest information shown on the official website of any product you're considering purchasing, as details may change from time to time and therefore may differ from what's shown on this page.
So, now that we’ve taken a look at some of the basics surrounding probiotics for dogs, it’s time to take a look at our pick of the best options on the market in the UK at the moment.
1) YuMOVE Digestive Care
Where To Buy: www.yumove.co.uk
YuDigest (Photo: hellobark.com)
YuMOVE Digestive Care provides a unique complex of “prebiotic and probiotic bacteria” specifically developed to “actively support your pet’s digestive health”, according to their website. Their probiotic contains Fructo-oligosaccharides, Yeast Extract, Beta Glucans, Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate and Magnesium Stearate.
YuMOVE say on their website that their probiotic works in three ways: it “supports digestive health”, “tops up good bacteria” and “inhibits bad bacteria”.
Dog owners can feed YuMOVE Digestive Care by giving their dog the tablets before, with or after their daily meal.
Pros
• No fuss tablet format
• 4.8 out of 5 reviews on Trustpilot
• Save 30% with subscription plan
• Money back guarantee
Cons
• Premium product
Price
YuMOVE Digestive Care costs £27.25 for a one-time purchase or £19.08 a month if subscribe and save.
You can also purchase YuMove Digestive Care on Amazon at a price of £21 for 120 tablets.
What Customers Are Saying
YuMOVE Digestive Care (formerly named YuDIGEST) had an average of 4.8 stars out of 5 based upon over 250 reviews on independent review website Trustpilot at the time of writing. Let’s take a look at some of the testimonials on display.
Pat shed light on how YuMOVE Digestive Care has helped her Greek rescue dog.
Have just had another delivery of YuDIGEST and will continue to use this product. My dog is a 9 year old rescued Greekie and her diet was whatever the Greek shelter could afford, so there was no good bacteria in her gut. ‘Explosions’ everywhere! YuDIGEST has ‘sorted’ this out. She is happy, her digestive system is happy and so am I!
Lowe said she regrets that she didn’t come across YuMOVE Digestive Care sooner.
My Springer Spaniel has suffered with loose stools for years. After spending hundreds at the vets I thought I’d try YuDIGEST. It worked within hours and he hasn’t had a loose stool since. I wish I tried this years ago and now my dog has a healthy gut. Delivery is always next day and a fantastic service. I would definitely recommend.
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a probiotic to complement your dog’s regular diet, YuMOVE Digestive Care could be a good option for you.
My Alaskan Klee Kai appeared to enjoy and benefit from YuMOVE Digestive Care. I was concerned that I might have to crush the capsule and mix it with their food given they usually spit out any medicine prescribed by the vet. To my surprise, my Klee Kai happily chewed on the capsule so that was an added bonus.
YuMOVE Digestive Care is reasonably priced and if you find that it helps your dog, you can always sign up to a subscription service and save 30% on your pup’s probiotics.
2) Purina ProPlan Fortiflora
Where To Buy: www.amazon.co.uk
Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora (Photo: hellobark.com)
Purina ProPlan FortiFlora is a canine probiotic supplement that’s been formulated for the “dietary management” of dogs with diarrhoea, according to the product page on Amazon.
The product listing says that it is a complementary pet food for dogs and puppies which has been designed to help “promote normal intestinal microflora”.
It’s simple to administer. You sprinkle one sachet daily over your dog’s regular food whether it’s dry, wet or fresh dog food. The only issue with the sachet format is you’re left with a lot of packaging so it’s not the most environmentally friendly.
Pros
• Experienced dog food company
• 30 packets in a box
• Brand recommended by veterinarians
Cons
• Premium price
Price
Purina ProPlan Fortiflora costs £28.99 for a 30-count box.
What Customers Are Saying
At the time of publishing, Purina ProPlan Fortiflora had an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5 based upon over 450 reviews on Amazon UK’s website.
Tracey shed light on the impact Fortiflora had on her German Shepherd.
These really helped our German Shepherd who regularly had problems with upset tummy and very runny poos, since using these he has been perfect, no more dodgy tummy and now does solid poos, I asked my vet opinion before using these and got the thumbs up, I now have a happy healthy shepherd, thanks so much, I recommend these sachets 100%.
Margaret revealed her vet recommended this probiotic for her Greyhound.
My Italian Greyhound has has tummy issues for several years. The vets decided to prescribe Fortiflora and I decided to buy it online.
Our Verdict
Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora (Photo: hellobark.com)
When my Alaskan Klee Kai suffered from a bout of tummy problems, I was recommended Purina ProPlan FortiFlora by my vet.
It’s worth nothing that Purina ProPlan FortiFlora came out on top in a Probiotic Recommendation Study carried out by Kynetec in 2019.
I found it worked well but I felt like the individual sachets created a lot of unnecessary waste.
3) Buddy & Lola Super Tummy
Where To Buy: www.buddyandlola.co.uk
Super Tummy by Buddy & Lola (Photo: Buddy & Lola)
Buddy & Lola are a company who want to help British dogs live long healthy and happy lives thanks to their vet-approved probiotics and supplements.
Super Tummy is a “powerful and proven” prebiotic and probiotic supplement that’s convenient and easy to administer, according to the product’s Amazon page.
Dog owners can add a sprinkle of Super Tummy probiotic powder to their dog’s food and mix it in so they won’t even know it’s there. Buddy & Lola provide feeding guidelines on the tub (and on their Amazon listing and website).
Pros
• Made In The UK
• 2.5g scooper included
• 4.4 stars out of 5 on Amazon
• Subscribe to save 10% (not as competitive as other brands)
Cons
• Premium product
• More fuss than a tablet
Price
Super Tummy is priced at £33.97 for a one-time purchase or £30.57 if you subscribe to receive Super Tummy on a regular basis. However, you can buy Super Tummy on Amazon where it’s priced significantly cheaper at £19.97.
We can offer helloBARK! readers an exclusive 15% discount by using the coupon code HELLOBARK15 when you purchase Super Tummy direct on Buddy & Lola’s website.
What Customers Are Saying
At the time of writing, Super Tummy had an average of 4.4 stars out of 5 based upon nearly 700 reviews on Amazon UK. Of these reviews, 66% were for five stars.
Another dog mom revealed that Super Tummy helped her dog.
Our poor old man Grover here has farts that could honestly gag a rotting corpse! We’ve tried every high brow expensive dog food out there but he still gets the crop dusting award for the year until now! Super Tummy is now mixed into his food and his stools are no longer rusty waters all over our lawn and the butt blasts are no more! Highly recommend and he just seems more happy like he feels better!
Natalie had a great experience using Super Tummy.
My 10-month old Lab-retriever can go through episodes of soft stool/diarrhoea. Not sure if it’s a random thing she eats or she just has a sensitive stomach but got this as a way to help keep her regular and firm up her stools from time to time. It’s a fantastic product and does exactly as I had hoped. She has been taking this coming up three months now and hasn’t had anymore episode of diarrhoea and now poops twice a day.
Our Verdict
Super Tummy by Buddy & Lola (Photo: Buddy & Lola)
I have previously tried Super Tummy after my oldest Alaskan Klee Kai had been struggling with persistent tummy issues.
Although I do prefer using tablets over powder because it’s less messy, my Klee Kai didn’t appear to notice the probiotic mixed in with her food as she cleaned her bowl at mealtime.
We can offer helloBARK! readers an exclusive 15% discount by using the coupon code HELLOBARK15 when you purchase Super Tummy direct on Buddy & Lola’s website.
4) Gutomizer
Where To Buy: www.amazon.co.uk
Gutomizer (Photo: hellobark.com)
Gutomizer is a fermented herbal extract as a feed supplement for dogs of all ages, which is given daily with their food.
According to the product’s listing page on Amazon, Gutomizer has been designed to promote “stable intestinal flora” and it contains naturally-occurring enzymes, vitamins, antioxidants and trace elements.
Unlike the other products we’ve featured in this article, the Gutomizer isn’t marketed as a probiotic but rather a “fermented herbal extract as a feed supplement”.
Pros
• Liquid format
• Ingredients recognised by top vets and animal nutrition experts
• Vegan
• Fermented
Cons
• Premium price
• No subscription saving
Price
Rocketo’s Gutomizer costs £29.97 on online retailer Amazon.
What Customers Are Saying
At the time of writing, there were limited reviews of Gutomizer on Amazon as it appears to be a relatively new product. It had a rating of 5 stars out of 5 based upon three reviews.
Here’s the top review so you can make your own mind up.
Although this is for long-term use and not for short-term acute application per se, we are pleased that she finds it palatable and doesn’t turn her nose up at it. She’s only 6kg so only needs just over a teaspoon a day and so far so good. Also thinking of introducing it our other dog top, as it can only help. A smidge under £30 may seem a lot to shell out, but you do get a litre of product for that price. How long it will last will depend in the size of your dog, but I’m very happy with 5he value if indeed it keeps our dog’s tummy well balanced. Definitely worth a try in my book, and it’s great that’s it’s all natural and organic, working with your dog’s body naturally. So far so good, so happy to recommend.
If you’re interested in the Gutomizer, you’ll find more reviews at the bottom of the product page on Rocketo’s website.
Our Verdict
As we mentioned above, it’s a relatively new product so there are limited reviews of this Rocketo product at the moment.
Having said that, Rocketo provide a detailed breakdown of the ingredients in the Gutomizer on their website (more detail than the other three companies) so you can examine the each ingredient, see why it’s been used in their recipe and understand where it’s originated from.
I’ve only just started to use Gutomzier so it’s too early to tell whether it’s had an impact on my dogs.
Anything Else To Consider?
As we mentioned above, if you’re thinking about introducing a probiotic to your dog’s diet, it’s a best to speak to your vet first to get their feedback and recommendation on the best option for your pup.
In our experience, the companies reviewed in this article are more than happy to offer advice, guidance and help to complement your veterinarian’s feedback.
Wrapping Up – Our Final Thoughts
We’ve reached the end of our look at some of the best probiotics for dogs in the UK.
Our current top pick is YuMOVE Digestive Care based upon the positive impact their probiotic had on my dogs alongside the great reviews online from other dog owners.
Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora appears to be popular amongst vets, which British pet parents may find reassuring, while Buddy & Lola’s Super Tummy was useful when it came to helping my oldest Alaskan Klee Kai.
Finally, Rocketo’s Gutomizer is a relatively new product but has some early positive reviews on Amazon if you prefer supplements in liquid format.
