Canine Probiotics
And Switching to Raw

Ability to Withstand Bacteria

It is natural for dogs to eat raw meat. The ability of dogs to withstand bacteria is far greater than ours. They have a more acidic system to kill bacteria and a shorter intestinal tract to get things out faster. This means bacteria is less likely to stick around and cause a problem.

The caveat is this:

• If a dog has been on antibiotics, his or her good bacteria has been killed along with the bad bacteria.
• If your canine has had other health issues, her immune system and ability to withstand even normal amounts of bacteria will be compromised.

This can take months to regain but the good news is, dog probiotics will shorten that time dramatically. Plus my favorite choice is one you can share with your dog. A win-win situation!

Avoid Stomach Upset

Whenever I get a tummy ache, I reach for my probiotics. Works for me and worked for my kids too, especially since they refused to take that pink liquid stuff when they were little.

Increases Dogs Overall Health and Immune Function

Simply put, if your dog’s intestinal tract is working properly, it will absorb more nutrients from the food ingested. Good dog probiotics will have (at least) the four dominant beneficial micro organisms and something to promote the growth of those organisms.

For more on the benefits of canine probiotics, read Probiotics for Dogs.

Canine Probiotics and a Transitioning Dog Diet

If you choose a transitioning diet like I did, you will get rid of the kibble and canned dog food gradually by adding cooked food to it. I also wholeheartedly recommend health supplements for dogs.

After that you can continue cooking or add/change to raw.

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NOTE: When I switched to a raw diet for my dogs, I was alone and fearful. What I mean is I didn't know anyone who fed raw and my husband was extremely leery about the whole thing.

The canine probiotics seemed a natural choice since I've used probiotics for myself many times (and still do!)

In hindsight I would have made the switch to a raw diet cold turkey, so to speak, especially with the help of friendly bacteria.

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My dogs had not been on antibiotics BUT I knew their immune systems were in bad shape and figured their tummies were a mess. I hadn't rediscovered Nature's Sunshine Probiotics 11 so I chose to use Jarro Pet Dophilus for a few months to give them a good head start.

Whatever canine probiotics you choose, KEEP IT REFRIGERATED!

Besides, poor Helen looked like 'death warmed over'. I know that's a terrible phrase but it really describes how she looked. And I can say that without crying because that nine-year-old dog now runs around the house like a lunatic.

To see how I went about changing dog food, Dog Food Recipes Made Easy explains it in detail. Let me explain before you go there, in my recipes I use brown rice. My reasoning behind it are:

- Brown rice is a far better than the corn, soy or even rice in commercial dog foods

-It is easy to cook a batch and keep in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days

- Helps to keep the stools firm during transition

- Its not expensive

For more about rice, check out Brown Rice for Dogs.

Raw Dog Food

Home Made Dog Food

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