Daisy is needing probiotics and I'm feeding her Canidae Lamb & rice which has pro biotics in the food. Do I still need to supplement her with a pro biotic? If so, should I change the amount I use or is there not enough in her kibble to make a differece?:confused:

Thanks in advance

I don't know if I'm doing the right thing or not, but I feed Canidae and sprinkle Missing Link on their food. My vet seemed to think it's fine. He said dogs are like humans and will take in the vitamins and minerals they need and pee out the rest. Noel has always had pudding poops since she was just a few months old regardless of what we fed her. They've firmed up since we've been adding the Missing Link Plus to her food.

I would ask your vet what he thinks because different vets have different opinions on nutrition. Mine is great at some things, but doesn't seem all that knowledgeable when it comes to diet and nutrition. I am in the process of switching over to Natural Balance and on their website it advises not to add any supplements, so I'm as confused as you are.

Do I still need to supplement her with a pro biotic?


Nope! :)

Nope! :)
Really? I was just on my way to the health food store to pick some up. I'm so glad I checked here first! I thought for sure I would need to since she's on anti-biotics>

Cool, one less thing for me to buy:thumb4:

You were giving her the live cultures weren't you? I think I would continue since anything added to the kibble has gone through the processing and likely wouldn't be as effective. I would think the probiotics in the kibble is ok for daily maintenance but you're giving it to her for a specific reason. It's the same with all the foods with the added gluocosomine, there isn't enough in it to really help but it makes the food look better.

OK, my brain hurts now:confused: :(

Anybody else;)

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse things. When Brandy had serious digestive issues the vet made sure I gave her a probiotic paste rather than live cultures in yogurt. She said the yogurt just wouldn't be enough to replenish the environment in her intestines. I'm guessing that the same would be true of a cooked kibble.

I think you make good sense. I'll head back to the store tomorrow for some pro-biotics:cool:

I think you make good sense. I'll head back to the store tomorrow for some pro-biotics:cool:

Thanks, can I add that to my resume? I need all the help I can get!

This is the type of paste (http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-19263&ps_session=5c4f47b411bd1db594f6713ad3a473b9#longde sc) I keep on hand for Brandy and Griz (mostly Brandy). It's for horses so you only need to give a dog a very tiny amount. I gave Brandy about a 1/4" string of it 2x a day. Not sure if its cheaper or easier to get than the probiotics from the health store. The one I use is made in Canada but it seems like they are all the same.

I agree that the probiotics in dog food are not enough. While a nice addition to the food - you need to supplement with a live organism probiotic during and after antibiotics.

Get one that has to be refrigerated for best results. I give a 10 billion organism formula.

Thank you so much Patty for all your info. You've been invaluable:thumb4:

My little 15yr old dog gets Canidae with the Missing Link powder each meal. She had taken a downward turn a week or so ago. I stopped giving her the garlic tablets and went back to Missing Link.

She was bouncing around the backyard last night with the boys. So I'm a firm believer in the probiotics!!

The pro-biotic I got is 6 billion. Should I give her two? If so, should I give them to her at the same time or split them up?

Thanks for all your help everybody!:hug:

Probiotics in dog food may do nothing, but probiotics in general aren't necessary if the dog's intestinal fauna are already doing the job, Just a waste of money if dog is healthy - they don't need to be given every day.

Right now, she's fighting a UTI and her PH level is 8.5 The vet has her clavamox twice a day so that's why we're doing the pro-biotics. I guess I should have just made one thread. Sorry:o:

Ahhhh :D

I'm not on enough anymore!!

Right now, she's fighting a UTI and her PH level is 8.5 The vet has her clavamox twice a day so that's why we're doing the pro-biotics. I guess I should have just made one thread. Sorry:o:

You are doing the right thing by supplementing with a live probiotic because of the antibiotics and you shoul be giving the prob. every day. There is not enough in dog food no matter what others may say.

You mention your product is 6 billion and should you give her 2? Are these pills? Do they need to be refrigerated? If no refrigeration, this is not a live organism.

6 billion should be fine. In my 10 bill. the dose for humans is 1/3 tspn and for a dog I give 1/8, 1/4 or 1/2 tspn daily depending on age and weight of dog and amount of meds dog was/is on and length of time on meds.

I can't remember Daisy's age or weight - as that would determine the approx. amount to give.

They are refrigerated pro-biotcs. She's 3-5 yrs. old and weighs 65lbs.

Is this is a pill form (6 billion per pill) If not what is the size of the dose for 6 billion? Is this a human grade probiotic-what is the human dose.

6 billion a day would be fine but what is the dose of clavamox she is on, how many times a day and how long has she been on it? 2 doses of the 6 billion a day may be in order depending on that.

For my full grown dogs if they are on antib. at approx 300-350mg 2x/day for 2 weeks I would be giving 1/2 tspn daily and continue for 2-3 weeks after meds are finished. This is just an example for you. My dogs weigh about 70 lbs. (remember my prob. is 1/3 tspn for 10 billion-human dose)

you could also use Benebac: http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p/1401-BeneBac-Pet-Gel.aspx

Personally, I don't like to add much on a regular basis. Feeding the right food for your dog should eliminate the need for continual supplementation. JMHO.

you could also use Benebac: http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p/1401-BeneBac-Pet-Gel.aspx

Personally, I don't like to add much on a regular basis. Feeding the right food for your dog should eliminate the need for continual supplementation. JMHO.

I agree with you but this dog has been on antibiotics for weeks and the reason the right food alone is not enough. Antibiotics can reak havoc on the system and do damage to the immune system - good bacteria needs to be replaced and food won't do that.

Just make sure you don't give her the antibiotics and the probiotics at the same time each day. The probiotics can negate the effect of the antibiotics. Make sure there is at least a 4-hour window between administriation of the anti and probiotics. I give probiotics to my dogs daily, but I usually stop during a course of antibiotics and then resume once the course is finished.

I agree with you but this dog has been on antibiotics for weeks and the reason the right food alone is not enough. Antibiotics can reak havoc on the system and do damage to the immune system - good bacteria needs to be replaced and food won't do that.That's what I meant by "if one is needed". I know many people do supplement on a regular basis whether on antibiotics or not.

Is this is a pill form (6 billion per pill) If not what is the size of the dose for 6 billion? Is this a human grade probiotic-what is the human dose.

6 billion a day would be fine but what is the dose of clavamox she is on, how many times a day and how long has she been on it? 2 doses of the 6 billion a day may be in order depending on that.

For my full grown dogs if they are on antib. at approx 300-350mg 2x/day for 2 weeks I would be giving 1/2 tspn daily and continue for 2-3 weeks after meds are finished. This is just an example for you. My dogs weigh about 70 lbs. (remember my prob. is 1/3 tspn for 10 billion-human dose)


Here's the probiotic I got her. We use their supplements for us. My personal Dr. uses holistic treatments as well as scientific ones. She recommended this brand to me as well as another homeopathic Dr.:thumb4:

New Chapter: The Year of Organic Fulfillment
Where to Buy All Flora®

Available in 2.5 ounce (70 gm) powder and 76 Vcap® (500 mg.) sizes
Superior probiotic formulation
Supports immune function*
Supports intestinal detoxification and promotes normal bowel function*
High potency—billions of probiotic live cells per serving
Integrates eight best researched and valuable strains
Non-GMO soy culture
Non-dairy
No maltodextrin
All-Flora is a synergistic probiotic formula offering eight of the most well-respected and stable strains of friendly flora. These eight powerful probiotic allies have been carefully selected and blended in a unique fiber base for maximum balance and efficacy.

Suggested Use
Suggested Use: Powder- As an addition to the diet, take 1/2 teaspoon alone or mixed with water or juice, once a day. At the time of manufacture, there are 8 billion probiotic live cells in 1/2 teaspoon of All-Flora.


Suggested Use: Vcaps-As an addition to the diet, take 2 Vcaps on an empty stomach. At the time of manufacture, there are 6 billion probiotic live cells in two Vcaps of All-Flora.

Supplement Facts
Serving size 2 Vcaps or 1/2 teaspoon powder
Two Vcaps contain %DV
Probiotic Live Cells 6 billion
L. rhamnosus •
S. thermophilus •
B. breve •
L. acidophilus •
B. infantis •
B. longum •
L. plantarum •
L. salivarius •
1/2 Teaspoon contains %DV
Probiotic Live Cells 8 billion
L. rhamnosus •
S. thermophilus •
B. breve •
L. acidophilus •
B. infantis •
B. longum •
L. plantarum •
L. salivarius •

• Daily Value not established


Other ingredients: Powder - Fermented soy, beet fiber, and ascorbic acid.
Other ingredients: Vcaps - Modified vegetable cellulose (capsule), fermented soy, beet fiber, and ascorbic acid.


100% vegetarian, no artificial flavors or colors.


Caution: As with any dietary or herbal supplement, you should advise your health care practitioner of the use of this product. if you are nursing, pregnant or considering pregnancy, you should consult your health care practitioner prior to using this product.


*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

I see diver03/Pru's point, but seeing that Daisy has a UTI, and probiotics help to reduce (or eliminate) bacterial over-growth, even in the urinary tract), I would give her 2 probiotics a day, but would also add some Ester C (once daily), for extra urinary tract support.

Oh ya, don't give the probiotics within 3 hours of her Clavamox.

Best wishes for Daisy!