One of a secret in keeping you and your dog stays healthy, active, and lives a full and happy life is through your gut! The Gastrointestinal tract (gut) is the largest immune organ in the body that contains approximately 70% of all immune cells. Keeping your dog’s digestive system healthy is very important to keep them healthy, and just like human probiotics can play an important part to make it happen.
There are foods and drinks that contain probiotics and one of that is Yakult, this drink enjoys by so many people, and if you are curious if “Can Dogs Drink Yakult?” read below.
Can Dogs Drink Yakult?
The short answer is Yes. You can give your dog healthy good bacteria through Yakult. Yakult prevents the harmful bacteria from multiplying or taking over to you and your dog’s digestive system by increasing the good bacteria.
By giving Yakult ones to twice a week, it helps your dogs to digest food and ensure a good appetite. It will also help improve your dog’s
- Stools
- Promotes faster hair growth
- Immunity Boost
- Strong bone
- Helps increase energy levels
Depending on where country you are the Yakult bottle comes in two sizes: Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Vietnam, and India has 65ml Yakult bottle while the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, and America has 80ml Yakult bottle. You can give the right dosage of Yakult to your dog depending on their size.
| 65ml Yakult Bottle | 80ml Yakult Bottle |
| Toy Breeds- Half a mini bottle or less | Toy Breeds – Less than half of the bottle |
| Medium Breeds – Half a mini bottle | Medium Breeds – Less than half of the bottle |
| Large Breeds – One mini bottle | Large Breeds – More than half of the bottle |
What is Yakult?
Yakult is a sweetened probiotic milk beverage fermented with the bacteria strain Lactobacillus paracasei Shirota. It contains 5 ingredients such as skimmed milk powder, sugar (used to keep the probiotics alive during shelf life), glucose, water, and natural flavoring, plus the probiotic lactobacillus.
What Are Probiotics?
“Probiotics are live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” -WHO
Probiotics are good live-bacteria and yeasts found in foods and supplements that help keep your Gastrointestinal tract (gut) healthy.
The probiotics good bacteria are broken into two groups, the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
- Lactobacillus– is found in yogurt and fermented foods (ex. cultured milk, wine, beer, cider)
- Bifidobacterium– is found in some dairy products such as butter, cheese, ice cream, milk, etc.
Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast found in probiotics, it is used for diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Can I give Probiotics to Dogs?
The veterinary research for how supplementing your dog with a variety of good bacteria can really aid in keeping them healthy is just starting to be more specific.
“Probiotics (bacteria or yeast) can potentially provide an array of health benefits to dogs” -AKC, veterinary expert, Jerry Klein, DVM
Like to human good live-bacteria that is in Probiotic can help improve chronic GI abnormalities, obesity, liver disease, reduction in gas, improved breath, a reduction of allergy symptoms, a reduction in yeast-associated disorders, and help in regulating bowel function, it will also make your dog skin and coat appearance look much better.
If your dogs show the sign of diarrhea, gas, cramping, bad breath, or poor appetite you can give them Probiotics.
You can also give your dog a daily of the probiotic supplement as long as it is advisable by your veterinarian, some dogs might have an allergy that is why it is better to consult the expert before giving any supplements to you furry ball.
Foods That Contain Probiotics
The following are some foods/drinks that contain good bacteria:
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Kimchi
- Pickles
- Cheese
- Butter
- Milk
- Tempeh
- Miso
- Beer
- Kombucha
- Sauerkraut
- Fermented sausage
- Atchara
- Natto
Note: Not all food/drinks that contain probiotics are good for dogs.
Aside from pills or powders, you can also give your dog a healthy good bacteria through Yakult.
Not all probiotics designed for humans are good for your dog companion, always ask the expert before giving your fur baby any food/drinks and supplement.