Is honey a probiotic for dogs

Can Dogs Eat Honey?

Simple and sweet, honey contains natural sugars that is reported to have a wide variety of medicinal properties for humans. It also, occasionally, finds its way into the mouths of our dogs. But is honey is safe for dogs and does it have health benefits for canines?

Is Honey Safe for Dogs?

Honey is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities. It contains natural sugars and small amounts of vitamins and minerals. It is also used as a sweetener in many foods and beverages.

That sweetness comes at a price, however. The high sugar content of honey can lead to obesity in dogs if owners feed them too much honey and do not provide adequate exercise and balanced nutrition. Sugars can also cause tooth decay, so it might be a good idea to brush your dogs teeth if you do feed them honey.

Raw honey should not be fed to puppies or dogs with compromised immune systems, as it may contain the presence of botulism spores. Honey should not be given to diabetic or obese dogs.

Are There Benefits to Feeding Dogs Honey?

For people and dogs, honey is purported to have antimicrobial and antifungal properties, reduce inflammation, sooth stomach ulcers and sore throats, and cure allergies. However, there have not been many conclusive scientific studies validating these claims. Many of these allegations are anecdotal.

One of the most common claims made about honey is that it can cure seasonal allergies. While the scientific evidence is lacking, there is some reason to believe that raw honey could help reduce allergic reactions to flower pollenassuming, of course, that your dog is allergic to one of the pollens in the honey and not another environmental allergen. Regardless of the lack of conclusive research, feeding your dog a small amount of honey likely wont harm them, even if it is not guaranteed or even likely to help with allergies.

Humans also use honey to soothe raw throats and stomachs. If your dog has a sore throat, and you have already seen your veterinarian to determine the cause and followed treatment instructions, then feeding a little honey could help soothe any lingering inflammation. At the very least, it will give your dog a tasty distraction.

How Much Honey Can You Feed Your Dog?

If you want to feed your dog honey, talk to your veterinarian about how much is okay to feed your dog. In general, less is usually more when it comes to dog treats, especially for smaller breeds. If your dog has a health condition, such as diabetes, talk to your veterinarian about whether or not honey is safe to feed your dog, and consider offering a treat lower in sugar, like cucumbers, instead. Explore common fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cant eat.

For further answers about what you can and cant feed your dog, and about home remedies for ailments, consult your veterinarian.

8 Homemade Probiotic Dog Treat Recipes

So whats the deal with Probiotics for dogs?

Like humans, dogs also have beneficial gut bacteria that live in their digestive tract. Healthy gut bacteria families (called phyla) have fancy names like:

• Proteobacteria
• Actinobacteria
• Firmicutes
• Bacteroidetes
• Spirochaetes
• Fusobacteria

In each one of these families theres thousands of different types of bacteria. Together these families make up your dogs unique microbiome. A balanced microbiome can improve immune system, digestion, mood, and overall health.Probiotics are nutrients designed to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria. These are commonly supplemented into dog diets with products such as:

• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Green Tripe
• Goats Milk
• Specialized capsules, powders, or chews.

Of course, this is just a really brief overview, and I recommend you dive deeper into the world of probiotics before jumping in.

Can Probiotics Be Harmful?

Gut bacteria is a complex system that is constantly changing but always trying to balance itself. Drastic changes to the microbiome balance could have a negative impact. We call this Dysbiosis.

Dysbioses can lead to diarrhea, bloating, gas, bad breath, or even more severe effects such as diabetes or obesity. So before supplementing their diet always consult with a vet.

Furthermore, when making homemade treats be sure to exclude human food that may be harmful. See the full guide on human food that dogs can and cannot eat.

DIY Probiotic Dog Treat Recipes

1. Super Healthy Goat Milk Pupsicle

Photo Credit: WearWagRepeat

It may look a little strange (Im sure Gorden Ramsay would love the plating) but what youre looking at is packed full of healthy stuff.

Kale, coconut oil, goat milk (for probiotics), blueberries, and whole fish make up an arsenal of super healthy ingredients to give your dog everything they need. Not to mention its a perfect treat for a hot day.

Check out how to make your own super healthy pupsicle.

2. Frozen Cranberry Probiotic Dog Treats

Another frozen treat but with a mega probiotic kick of goats milk, greek yogurt, and plain kefir. And of course, cranberries.

You may be wondering if cranberries are okay for dogs to consume. According to AKC its okay in small quantities. But if youre worried you can substitute the cranberries for other dog-safe vegetables or fruit.

Heres the full recipe for frozen probiotic cranberry treats.

3. Probiotic Frozen Yogurt Treats In 3 Flavors

Photo Credit: Traditional Cooking School

Heres something thats super easy to make and comes in a bunch of different flavors. Simply add plain yogurt to an ice cube tray, and throw in a few other blended or chopped healthy ingredients for that little bit extra.

It comes in blueberry-mint, parsley-carrot, and peanut butter. Which honestly sounds pretty good for humans too.

Heres the full recipe and tips for making these at home.

4. Make Your Own DIY Probiotics

Probiotics are expensive. Save some money by fermenting cabbage and making your own powerful probiotics at home (you may have caught on that were making Sauerkraut). Youll need a fermenting kit and a little patience (it takes about 21 days to ferment), but youll have a whole jar of the good stuff.

Theres even a recipe for homemade Coconut Kefir, if fermenting isnt your style. Again, its a bit of a process but you might save a ton of money.

How to make Probiotic Sauerkraut and Coconut Kefir.

5. Dairy-free Frozen Dog Treats

Photo Credit: Making Thyme For Health

What I like about this simple recipe is it cuts to the chase. Meaning, theres no fancy ingredients, just a delicious and healthy peanut butter treat with a store-bought probiotic supplement.

This is especially good if you have a picky eater at home.

This is doubly good because it also brings in coconut milk, carrots, and some healthy fats from the natural peanut butter.

See the full Dairy-free Frozen Puppy Yogurt recipe.

6. Homemade Fermented Berry Probiotic for Dogs

Weve talked about fermenting with Sauerkraut. But lets take it a step further by introducing powerful anti-oxidants from berries. Using strawberries or blueberries (or both), and a fermenting kit, you can easily make a super probiotic and disease fighting topping for your dogs food.

Homemade Honey Berry Probiotic for Dogs

7. DIY Dog Treats: Pumpkin Peanut Butter Yogurt Drops

A super simple recipe which introduces greek yogurt, pumpkin, peanut butter, and a little bit of carob powder (a dog safe chocolate alternative). Plain Greek yogurt is typically strained to remove lactose, making it a better alternative for those lactose-intolerant pups. It also has double the protein for building muscles.

And of course, look for yogurt that has a lot of live cultures for that probiotic effect.

Make pumpkin and greek yogurt treats

8. 4-Ingredient Probiotic Pupsicles

Photo Credit: Fed and Fit

Finally we have this super-food packed treat that has loads of the good stuff. Plain probiotic yogurt (of course), sweet potatoes, brewers yeast, and turmeric. So whats the the deal with the last 2 ingredients?

Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant ingredient that has huge benefits for dogs.

Brewers Yeast is commonly used in dog foods, and is also a common supplment for its numerous health benefits (such as being a digestive aid, anti-oxidant, and rich in protein and B-complex vitamins and minerals)

Learn how to make this super healthy recipe at home

Yakult for Dogs: A Canines Probiotic Delight!

As a responsible dog owner, you undoubtedly aspire to provide your canine companion with a healthy, joyful, active, and extended life.

The well-being of your dog hinges significantly on the health of their digestive system. Remarkably, probiotics can play a pivotal role in fostering the proper functionality of your dog's digestive tract.

Recent findings from a survey conducted by Pet Food Industry reveal that 72% of dog owners in the United States acknowledge the effectiveness of high-quality nutrition in maintaining their dogs' well-being. To be more precise, the health of our dogs is intricately connected to the condition of their digestive system.

Given that we consider our dogs part of our family, we are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring their freedom from health concerns. Consequently, many of us contemplate providing them with supplements or probiotics akin to those we consume ourselves.

In this article, I will specifically delve into the subject of Yakult, a popular probiotic. I aim to explore whether yakult for dogs is good, the potential benefits, and the safety considerations associated with this practice.

What is Yakult?

Yakult, a probiotic beverage originally developed in the 1930s and subsequently distributed globally in the 1990s, originates from Japan. It is rich in millions of live and active beneficial bacteria, primarily Lactobacillus paracasei Shirota. The consumption of Yakult is recognized for its potential to support a healthy digestive system.

If your dog does not have lactose intolerance and can tolerate the components present in Yakult, it is safe to offer this probiotic drink to them.

Yakult can prove highly advantageous for your dog's well-being. It encompasses beneficial bacteria that can effectively combat and inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria within your dog's gut. This, in turn, can bring about multifaceted enhancements in your dog's overall health.

What's Inside Yakult?

Typically, Yakult is crafted using a minimum of six primary ingredients, so let's examine them closely:

• Water
• Natural flavors
• Sugar
• Nonfat milk
• Glucose syrup
• Live lactobacillus bacteria

So, how can you determine if your dog can tolerate these ingredients? The most effective approach is to offer a small quantity of Yakult to your dog and carefully monitor its response. If everything proceeds without issues, it indicates that your dog is likely to be compatible with all the components. However, if there is any unfavorable reaction, it suggests a potential issue.

We will delve into which components found in Yakult are canine-friendly and which ones might not be conducive to a dog's health.

Nonfat milk

Even though nonfat milk contains less fat and cream than whole milk, it remains a dairy product. If your beloved four-legged companions have lactose intolerance, it's advisable to refrain from offering them Yakult.

Dogs who have lactose intolerance lack the enzyme lactase, which is necessary to break down the natural sugar found in milk, known as lactose.

If you've never introduced dairy products to your canine companions before, you can provide them with a small amount of Yakult and observe their response. Lactose-intolerant dogs often exhibit symptoms such as increased flatulence or loose stools after consuming dairy products.

If this proves true for your furry friends, it's advisable to steer clear of dairy beverages and opt for wholesome non-dairy drink alternatives for your pups.

Live Lactobacillus Strains

Lactobacillus casei represents a type of probiotic that is naturally present in a dog's intestinal system. In fact, our canine companions harbor a variety of beneficial and friendly bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract, including:

• Lactobacillus casei
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Bifidobacterium breve
• Enterococcus faecium

As a result, offering your pup Yakult can contribute to maintaining a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in their gut or improving the equilibrium between good and harmful bacteria. It's important to note that probiotics are beneficial for dogs due to their capacity to enhance the population of friendly, health-promoting bacteria.

These beneficial bacteria play a crucial role in fortifying a dog's immune system, empowering them to combat infections effectively, and supporting the proper functioning of their digestive system. Additionally, Lactobacillus casei bacteria also enrich a dog's microbiome by facilitating the production of essential nutrients and vitamins.

Here are some additional ways in which Lactobacillus casei can provide benefits for your dog:

1. Enhance your dog's vitality, making them more active and energetic.
2. Support regular and healthy bowel movements, resulting in well-formed stools.
3. Contribute to the development of stronger and healthier bones in your dog.
4. Strengthen your dog's immune system, helping them better defend against illnesses.
5. Foster the growth of a soft and full coat, promoting overall skin and fur health.

For dogs with compromised gut health, incorporating a small amount of Yakult can be advantageous. However, it's crucial to ensure that your furry friend can tolerate dairy products and does not have any preexisting health conditions such as diabetes or obesity.

Sugar and Glucose syrup

The inclusion of sugar in Yakult serves the purpose of preserving the probiotics throughout its shelf life; however, it should have no place in your dog's daily diet. Sugar-laden foods do not offer any nutritional value to your canine companion and only contribute to increased calorie intake in their diet.

Excessive sugar consumption by dogs can lead to adverse effects such as compromised dental health, diabetes, obesity in canines, and in severe cases, pancreatitis.

For this reason, it's advisable to refrain from giving Yakult to your canine friends, particularly if they are diabetic or aiming to maintain a healthy weight. If your pups are in good health, then a specific amount of Yakult can be provided. We will discuss below the appropriate quantity to offer your dog, which is contingent on their size.

Although glucose syrup is not inherently toxic to dogs, it possesses an exceedingly high sugar content. Once more, it is crucial to emphasize that beverages with high sugar content can be detrimental to dogs, and any responsible dog owner should ensure that their furry companions are kept away from sugar.

For greater clarity and insight, we also strongly advise consulting with your veterinarian.

Yakult for Dogs: Is It Safe to Give?

Yes, it is. However, it's essential to exercise caution and it's advisable not to make it a daily, long-term practice, as this product is primarily intended for human consumption, not for animals.

When introducing your dog to Yakult for the first time, anticipate a slight adjustment period, which might result in mild bloating. However, if your dog experiences stomach discomfort, consulting your veterinarian is a wise course of action.

Offering your dog one bottle of Yakult daily should generally be safe, as each of these small bottles contains approximately 10 billion probiotics. Nevertheless, the possibility of giving your dog more than one bottle a day depends on their individual circumstances, including size and body weight. Ultimately, this decision should be made in consultation with your veterinarian, considering the dog's specific needs and proportions.

Serving Instructions

• Administer Yakult to dogs on a weekly basis, either once or twice.
• For small breeds, it's advised to serve half of 65 ml Yakult bottle or less. Medium-sized breeds can enjoy up to half of a mini bottle, and larger breeds can safely consume a full mini bottle as the maximum amount.
• Dogs with underlying health issues like pancreatitis, obesity, and diabetes are advised against consuming Yakult.

Although Yakult and similar probiotic beverages designed for human consumption may provide certain advantages for dogs, it is generally advised to opt for probiotic supplements specially created for dogs to ensure optimal digestive and overall health benefits.

Benefits of Yakult

Yakult offers numerous advantages, some of which include:

• Boosts immunity
• Zero fat, cholesterol, and gluten
• Improved bowel movements
• Enhanced energy levels
• Strengthens bones
• Accelerates hair growth
• Helps improve appetite
• Promotes digestive health
• Helps improve/alleviate allergies
• Eliminate the detrimental bacteria residing in your dog's digestive system

Dogs can potentially gain advantages from Yakult, a beneficial probiotic. Nevertheless, it's crucial to ensure that our dogs do not have preexisting health issues like diabetes or obesity, as these conditions could be incompatible with the usage of this product.

The Risks

You're well aware that nothing in this world is flawless; everything comes with its advantages and disadvantages.

Similarly, Yakult can have some adverse effects on your dog. What are the downsides of your dog consuming Yakult?

According to experts, some dogs may exhibit unfavorable symptoms such as nausea, bloating, constipation, gas, diarrhea, digestive discomfort, and changes in appetite after consuming Yakult. In certain cases, the digestive issues may temporarily worsen before showing signs of improvement.

Furthermore, if your dog is lactose intolerant, they won't be able to break down the natural sugars present in Yakult due to the absence of the lactase enzyme, leading to various adverse reactions.

It's essential to note that Yakult also contains glucose syrup and sugar. Excessive consumption can potentially result in issues like obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, and dental problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yakult safe for puppies?

No, Yakult is not suitable for puppies.

We advise against offering Yakult to your puppy due to the fact that a puppy's digestive system is highly sensitive and distinct from that of an adult dog.

Yakult is designed as a probiotic for humans. As a result, a puppy may have difficulty digesting the additional components found in it, such as glucose syrup and sugar.

Is Yakult good for pregnant dogs?

Certainly, you can provide pregnant dogs with Yakult to consume. Newborn puppies have sterile digestive systems, and within three days of birth, their guts will be colonized with bacteria acquired from their mother. When you offer Yakult or probiotic drinks to the mother during her pregnancy, she is more likely to pass on beneficial bacteria to her offspring.

To support your pregnant dog during her pregnancy, administer Yakult two weeks prior to giving birth and continue for two weeks after to help prevent diarrhea. Yakult can also aid in reducing bloating, heartburn, and acidity in pregnant dogs.

Can Yakult be beneficial for unwell dogs?

Administering Yakult to your dog may not be a solution if your dog is unwell.

This is because the underlying cause of your dog's illness is unknown. It's advisable to reach out to your veterinarian initially to determine the root cause of your dog's illness. Your vet will then provide guidance on whether it's appropriate to provide Yakult to your dog.

Is Yakult suitable for lactating dogs?

Nursing dogs are in a highly delicate state of health. It's crucial to seek guidance from your veterinarian before introducing anything new, such as Yakult.

This precaution is necessary because some dogs may be lactose intolerant and could have adverse reactions to the components in Yakult. Introducing this to a nursing dog, who is already going through a sensitive phase, could potentially pose significant health risks.

Is it safe to offer Yakult to my dog on a daily basis?

No, we do not advise giving Yakult to your dog every day.

Why? This is because Yakult is designed as a human probiotic and contains additional ingredients such as sugar and glucose syrup, among others. Consistently providing it to your dog can lead to problems like obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, and other health issues.

We recommend offering it to your dog only once or twice a week, or alternatively, you can opt for a probiotic specifically formulated for dogs and follow the recommended instructions for administration.

Is Yakult beneficial for dogs experiencing digestive issues?

Yes indeed, dogs with upset stomachs can be given Yakult. Providing your dog with probiotic-rich beverages can be advantageous in addressing digestive problems such as diarrhea, gas, and stomach upset. Nonetheless, it is essential to seek advice from a veterinarian before giving it to your dog.

Is it safe to give Yakult when my pet is experiencing vomiting?

No, it's not recommended to offer Yakult to your dog when it's vomiting. Vomiting in dogs can have various underlying causes that may not necessarily be related to stomach upset or gastrointestinal issues. If you observe your dog vomiting without a clear understanding of the possible cause, it is strongly advised to consult a veterinarian promptly.

What is the taste of Yakult?

Yakult boasts a delightful blend of sweetness and tanginess that sets it apart. While its distinctive flavor is often likened to a tropical freshness with hints of lime and citrus, fans also appreciate its creamy twist. The key flavors present in Yakult Original, Yakult Light, and Yakult Plus include citrus and vanilla, with the latter two also featuring a touch of yogurt flavoring.

Parting Thoughts

Yakult can offer potential benefits for dogs, primarily in supporting digestive health and providing probiotics. However, it's essential to exercise caution and consult with a veterinarian before incorporating it into your dog's diet, especially if your dog has specific health conditions or dietary restrictions. It can be a valuable addition to your dog's overall well-being when used judiciously and in consideration of their individual needs.

However, this should be avoided for dogs with lactose intolerance or diabetes or those at risk of diabetes. The same precaution applies to dogs that are managing their weight or have compromised dental health.