Probiotics

Some families choose to keep their new puppy on probiotics for at least several months while they transition and also because they chew on every smelly, dirty, germy thing known to man! If you choose to use the same probiotic, this is what I use: (in the granule form)

https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/doc-roys-gi-synbiotics/all-dog-and-cat-supplies

Doc Roys GI Synbiotic:

Highly palatable chicken flavored granules containing live naturally occurring microorganisms to maintain a healthy microbial balance in the dog's GI tract
May be safely used in dogs of all ages and stages
Contains BgMOS®, a unique ingredient to fuel the growth of good bacteria while helping to remove bad bacteria from the GI tract
Recommended to minimize the potential for diarrhea and strengthen the dog's immune system
Formulated to bypass the stomach acid, delivering more active bacteria to the intestine.
Our pets carry good bacteria that help digestion and their immune function. You can help the gut by adding good bacteria at times when the bacteria balance is upset and the tummy has issues.

DOSAGE - Give1 tsp. per day to maintain. If puppy develops diarrhea, may give 2 times per day.

I sprinkle probiotics on the puppy's food right from the very beginning when they start eating puppy mush. Every single new thing I do with the puppies is stressful for them and starting on food is the first of many stressful events. Stress can cause the normal level of bad bacteria in a puppy's gut to multiply and take over the healthy bacteria which will cause diarrhea. (Exactly like with humans!) It is super common for puppies to have diarrhea when they go to their new homes because it is so stressful for them. Every single thing in their life has changed and their stress is high. Many years back as I kept going through this diarrhea phase every time I bought my own new puppies, I asked my vet if there was anything I could be doing to help. She said Probiotics! So I started feeding all of my litters probiotics and also sent some home with their new families to help keep their gut bacteria balanced during the transition. Almost every family since has reported back that they didn't have a problem or that it was only minor so I've concluded that it does in fact help and I will continue to give probiotics.

THE BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS FOR DOGS:

Although intestinal microflora is important for nutrition and digestion, its most important function is helping protect the body from bad bacteria. There is a constant bacterial fight of good versus evil going on in the gut. 70% of the body's immune system is in our gut and for good reason! If the good bacteria do not win, the body may absorb bad bacteria or viruses, causing illness.

Puppies are born sterile and the gut is seeded with good bacteria from mom shortly after birth. Mom's cleaning and mothering starts the transfer of good bacteria to the newborn. Nursing and cleaning by mom repeatedly adds bacteria that helps digestion and intestinal health throughout the nursing period.

Healthy bacteria are constantly killed and quickly replaced in the normal gut. Stomach acid, antibiotics, or just stress from changes can upset bacterial balance in the gut. There is a constant struggle for good bacteria to keep the bad bacteria from dominating and causing illness. Some bad bacteria will get swallowed, especially with pets that like to chew, and the GI immune system must deal with them.

Stomach acid will kill most of the bacteria consumed as a first line of defense. In the intestine, good bacteria form part of the mucosal barrier of the intestine and if adequate, leave bad bacteria with no room to live. After that, the immune system will have to deal with the infection, but the goal is to prevent the need for that immune response. This is where probiotics can help.

Probiotics are live healthy bacteria that live in the gut. Here are some situations when a probiotic should be used:

Sick or antibiotics – probiotics speed up recovery from GI upset caused by illness & antibiotic use.
Weaning & transferring to solid food - Allows for a smooth and diarrhea-free transition.
Changing a dog or puppy to a new environment, boarding facility, travelling, food changes, etc… anything that may upset its digestion or cause stress.
Probiotics can be given when intestinal upset is occurring, even when we do not yet know the cause! Helping the tummy fight the bad bacteria is always a positive 1st step.
Some think probiotics are helpful to give all the time and some think only during certain times. Talk with your vet and do your research to decide for yourself.
There are probiotics that can be added to water as well as food for ease of dosing. https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/d-e-s-health-gard/all-dog-and-cat-supplies