You love your dog and only want what's best for him, so when he gets sick you WANT to give him probiotics to help his little belly. But can you give your dog probiotics while he is on antibiotics? The answer is maybe. Here’s what you need to know.

First, a quick refresher on what probiotics are.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be consumed in order to improve gut health. They occur naturally in some fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi. You can also find them in supplement form at your local pharmacy or health food store. Probiotics are known as the “good bacteria” because they help balance the microbes in your gut and support a healthy immune system.

Now that we know what probiotics are, let’s talk about why you might want to give them to your pup while he’s on antibiotics.

Both antibiotics and probiotics work by killing the bad bacteria in your body while promoting the growth of good bacteria. However, antibiotics don’t discriminate between good and bad bacteria—they kill all bacteria, even the helpful kind that lives in your digestive tract. This can lead to diarrhea, bloating, and other gastrointestinal issues.

That’s where probiotics come in! By replenishing the good bacteria in your dog’s gut while he’s taking antibiotics, you can help minimize these side effects and keep his belly happy.

It’s important to note that not all dogs will need probiotics while taking antibiotics. Some pups have no problem tolerating antibiotics without any gastrointestinal distress. If your dog does seem to be having trouble, talk to your veterinarian about whether giving him a probiotic supplement is right for him.

Giving your dog probiotics while he is taking antibiotics may help minimize side effects and keep his belly happy.

If you're in the market to find the best probiotic to help your furry friend have a healthy gut and support his immune system, click the link below to find our top picks.  Thanks for reading and enjoy your 4 legged friend!