Unfortunately, puppies get sick. When they do, they’re often given an antibiotic. Or is it a probiotic? Or is it both? Neither? Look, we know medical stuff can be complicated sometimes and trying to figure out how two medicines who have almost the same name is hard. Lucky for you, we’re here to help and have come up with the best probiotics for puppies on antibiotics. 
If you want to learn more about good ways to keep you pup healthy check out our other article on The Best Puppy Food for German Shepherds
When your puppy gets sick, it’s likely they’ll be prescribed an antibiotic. This is especially true for puppies who develop some type of an infection. An antibiotic fights off bacterial infections, so it basically gets rid of any unwanted bacteria in the body.
Here are a some of the most common antibiotics for some common infections in pets:
Skin Infections – Enrofloxacin (Baytril) and Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid (Clavamox)
Respiratory Infections – Enrofloxacin (Baytril) and Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid (Clavamox) (yes you’re seeing this twice, no it’s not a typo)
Urinary Tract Infections – Enrofloxacin (Baytril)
Dental Infection – Clindamycin (Antirobe)
Periodontal Disease – Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Now that you learned a bunch of words that you probably don’t know how to properly pronounce, let’s find out what a probiotic is.
A probiotic helps the body produce bacteria. “But why would I give my puppy something that increases their bacteria when I’m trying to get rid of the bacteria with this antibiotic?” Well, in both humans and dogs, there is good bacteria and bad bacteria. The probiotics help the good bacteria grow at a healthy rate while the antibiotic helps get rid of the bad bacteria that’s caused your puppy their illness.
Yes, taking the two together at the same time seems silly, but unfortunately antibiotics can come with some nasty side effects like: diarrhea, vomiting, fever, dehydration, hair loss, and more. Probiotics for puppies on antibiotics can help relieve these unwanted side-effects in your puppy.
How to pick Probiotics for Puppies On Antibiotics
First and foremost, before picking probiotics for puppies on antibiotics, you’ll want to check with your vet. In some cases, your puppy may not even need them, and in other cases your vet may want to prescribe you a certain kind. However, if your vet does recommend your puppy take probiotics while on their current antibiotic, you’ll want to make sure it’s tasteless and odorless. Puppies are like kids; they never want to take their medicine. The more you can disguise it in food, the more likely it is that they’ll take it.
Another factor you’ll want to consider is the number of probiotics you’ll need. Like most medicines, probiotics can expire, so you don’t want to get a giant tub of it if you’re not going to use it all. On the other hand, you don’t want to get too few and have to run back to the store or endure your puppy’s gas and diarrhea. If you have multiple puppies on antibiotics then you’ll most likely want to get a larger pack, so you have enough for all of them.
Another thing you’ll want to consider is how long your puppy will be taking the antibiotics for. If it’s only a couple of weeks, you’ll only need a couple of weeks’ worth of probiotics, and if your puppy is going to take their antibiotic for months you’ll want to get a larger case.
Best Probiotics for Puppies on Antibotics
Doberman Labs Probiotic Solution
Doberman Labs probiotics for puppies on antibiotics is an odorless, tasteless, supplement powder that’s made with organic calcium. Its prime purpose is to help your puppy produce digestive enzymes that deal with diarrhea and gas, while also giving your dog’s immunity a boost. It’s an easy probiotic to get your puppy to eat, and even easier to give to them.
If your puppy is under 50 pounds all you have to do is give them half a scoop, once a day. Then you’re done. That’s it. Just sprinkle it on their food and your pup will get all the benefits of this awesome probiotic. If you use this product and your puppy’s gas /diarrhea doesn’t go away, you can get a full refund due to their lifetime guarantee! Need we say more?
Purina Forti-flora Canine Nutritional Supplement
Purina is a brand that we’ve all come to know especially when it comes to anything pet related, so it’s a no brainer that they have come up with probiotics for puppies on antibiotics. Purina’s probiotic is packed with high levels of antioxidants, and vitamins A, E, and C, which all help with your puppy’s immune system.
You can order 30, 90, or 180 packets at a time and for a reasonable price too. This probiotic is best for puppies experiencing digestive issues, like gas and diarrhea.
Best Natural Probiotics
Best Natural Home and Health has created 
Unlike the other probiotics, this probiotic can also help reduce itching and scratching that your puppy may have from the antibiotics that they’re taking. Like these other probiotics, Best Natural Home and Health’s probiotic is a very fine powder that you put in your puppy’s food once a day.
After a few days you should start seeing an improvement in your puppy’s demeanor and bodily functions.
Puppies getting sick is normal, and puppies getting side-effects from their medication is, unfortunately, also normal. Having your puppy take a probiotic while they’re on an antibiotic can help make them feel better by relieving the additional stress and discomfort they’re getting from the gas, diarrhea, vomiting, or other symptoms they may have developed from their medication.
Pro Tip: When taking a probiotic with an antibiotic, you’ll want to space the two a few hours apart. This way the antibiotic doesn’t accidentally kill the new, good bacteria from the probiotic.
Always be sure to check with your vet first, before giving them any other supplements to make sure it’s safe, and if you notice your puppy’s condition worsens be sure to take them to the vet immediately and stop the use of any additional supplements. Make sure your puppy is drinking lots, and lots of water while on their antibiotics and if they’re experiencing diarrhea to prevent dehydration from occurring.
Has your dog taken any of these probiotics? Have you used a different probiotic that you think should be on here? Let us know what you thought of them in the comments below!
One comment
Comments are closed.