Dachshund needs probiotics

6 Signs Your Dachshund Needs Probiotics

Updated 09/14/2024 by Ava Jaine

If your Dachshund has been feeling a bit under the weather lately, consider adding some probiotics to their diet to help them feel better.

If your doxie is constantly itching or struggling with repeated stomach issues, this can indicate an overflow of bad bacteria growth in their gut, which can cause more problems than you think.

Here are 6 signs your Dachshund needs probiotics.

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Table of Contents

What Do Probiotics Do?

Probiotics are the “good bacteria” needed to support your Dachshund’s gut microbiome and immune system by keeping the “bad bacteria” at bay.

Probiotics help improve your doxie’s digestion and promote a healthier absorption of vitamins and minerals.

cute dachshund giving a paw high five to a women
 

Signs Your Dachshund Needs Probiotics

By restoring good bacteria in your doxie’s GI system, probiotics can help improve digestion, boost immunity, and enhance skin health.

If your little long dog is showing any of the following symptoms, they may benefit from probiotics to improve their overall well-being.

Dachshund Allergies

If your doxie suffers from seasonal allergies year after year, giving them some dog probiotics just before the allergy season begins can help ward off that seasonal itch.
 
Adding probiotics to your Dachshund’s diet can actually help reduce the likelihood of allergies and prevent itchy skin issues from developing.
 
Dachshund itching it's fur
 

Recurring Ear Infections

If your Dachshund is prone to ear infections, probiotics can help. They play an essential role in yeast infection prevention and treatment.
vet checking inside a dachshund's ear for an infection

Gas and Stinky Breath

If your Dachshund often fills the room with toxic smelling gas or rotten smelling breath, they probably have an overgrowth of bad gut bacteria.
 
This type of overgrowth is often caused by dog food that primarily contains fillers and dyes.
 
Boost your Dachshund’s nutrition with a high-quality dog food or better yet, make your dog’s food at home. Check out our favorite DIY Dog Food Recipe for your Dachshund here!
 
Giving your pup a high-quality dog food diet, along with the addition of dog probiotics, can promote the good bacteria and enzymes in the gut, which helps improve digestive health in your doxie.
 

Dachshund Has Diarrhea?

If your Dachshund’s stool is looking a bit loose, probiotics can also help with this. 
Whether your doxie has been experiencing extra stress lately, eating something they shouldn’t have (your Dachshund’s favorite thing to do), or recently changed their dog food, probiotics can help ease their tummy issues.
 
Note:  When diarrhea occurs, always get your Dachshund’s poo checked for parasites from your vet.  Diarrhea can indicate different issues.

Antibiotic Side Effects

If your Dachshund dog has been taking any antibiotics, make sure to pair them up with some dog probiotics to help build the good bacteria back up in their gut. 
 
Antibiotics eliminate the bad and good bacteria in the gut.  So, the good bacteria will need to be replenished.
sweet looking mini dachshund looking up at it's owner
 

Dachshund Anxiety

Now this one is pretty interesting. Research has found that the bacteria living in your pup’s gut can actually affect their behavior. 

This is a big one for Dachshunds!

Any type of stress can build up bad bacteria in your Dachshund’s gut, which puts them at a higher risk for an anxiety disorder. 

So, if your doxie tends to be more nervous when you leave them at home, probiotics can help.

You May Like: 10 Real Solutions for Dog Separation Anxiety

Bonus Tip: Chemotherapy Side Effects

If your Dachshund is undergoing chemotherapy, they may have side effects that include: yeast infections, leaky gut issues, and diarrhea.
 
Probiotics are not a cure for cancer, but they can help boost your Dachshund’s immune system and strengthen the formation of T-cells.
 
Adding probiotic supplements to your doxie’s cancer treatment plan supports a healthy gut and improves the absorption of nutrients.
 

What’s the Best Probiotic for Dachshunds?

Sometimes dogs don’t produce enough good bacteria (probiotics) naturally, so they need a supplement to help keep their gut healthy.

All natural probiotics can be found in certain foods, dog probiotic supplements can be prescribed from the vet, or you can purchase dog probiotics online or at the pet store.

Natural Probiotics

All natural probiotics for dogs are a great way to improve your pup’s gut health. Here are some foods that contain probiotics.
  • Plain, Unsweetened Yogurt: Yogurt contains probiotic strains from the group Lactobacillus – good bacteria that aid digestion, help with upset stomachs (diarrhea/constipation), and maintain your dog’s gut health. Dogs should only eat plain yogurt with no artificial sweeteners.

  • Kefir: Kefir is a fermented milk product with a low amount of lactose. It has different strains of beneficial bacteria and enzymes. Kefir can help alleviate gut problems, promote better digestive health, and control blood sugar levels. Only feed unsweetened and unflavored kefir to your Dachshund.

  • Sauerkraut: Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage that is safe for your doxie to consume in moderation.  It has more Lactobacillus bacteria than yogurt and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

 

DIY Probiotic Treat for Dogs

What better way to add Probiotics into your Dachshund’s diet then with DIY dog treats.  This easy 2-ingredient recipe includes yogurt (the probiotic) and pumpkin puree (the prebiotic that feeds the probiotic).

mini dachshund looking up at a paw-shaped, frozen pumpkin dog treat

Pumpkin and Yogurt Dog Treats:

You will need:

Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Spread mixture into freezer molds. Freeze them overnight.

Keep in the freezer up to 10 days. Makes about 44 frozen treats in two freezer molds. Please review our Food and Nutrition Disclaimer.

Plain Yogurt is a great probiotic for your Dachshund
 

Vet Prescribed Probiotics

My Dachshunds have been using the vet prescribed probiotic, Proviable, for many years.

It’s super easy to administer. I just break open the capsule and add the white powdered probiotic to the top of my dog’s kibble and they eat their food without any issues.

I personally rotate between the Proviable Probiotics prescribed by my vet and the VertiScience Probiotic on Amazon.

The cost can add up with the vet-prescribed probiotics, so I do rotate between the over the counter and prescribed dog probiotics.

Pet Store Probiotics

Dog Probiotics are available online and in pet stores. But, before purchasing over the counter probiotics, keep the following in mind.

  • They must include various live and active cultures.

  • They must state the number of CFU’s (potency).

  • Use natural ingredients.

  • Make sure to read the reviews from real customers.

Smiling Man holding his red mini dachshund on the couch
 

Are Human Probiotics Safe for Dogs?

Stick with probiotics that are specially formulated for dogs only.  Probiotics that are meant for humans should not be given to your pup.

Be patient, probiotics do take time to work. Giving your Dachshund probiotics on a regular basis can help improve your pup’s general health and overall well-being.

Note: If your dog is currently on any medications, discuss adding probiotics to your dog’s diet with your vet.

Does your Dachshund take probiotics? Let us know in the comments.

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