Digestive Enzyme and Probiotic Recommendations

Question
QUESTION: Hi. Which brand of digestive enzymes and probiotics do you recommend? There's so many out there! Are plant-based enzymes preferable to animal-based?

Should I give my senior dog enzymes daily?

This is what I'm using for probiotics:

http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Pet-Dophilus-Powder-70-5-g-2-5-oz-Ice/4295?

Would also like your opinion of the product "Missing Link".

Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Darlene,

I really like to see seniors on a good probiotic. My favourites include HMF powder by Genestra, and  the stabilized NOW acidophilus:

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Acidophilus-Three-Billion-Stabilized-180-Tablets/
If the Jarrow product seems helpful, though, I'd just keep using it.


Daily enzymes can be helpful too, if you have reason to feel digestion is slowing down. Many people like to use Prozyme, I tend to use a product with just papain and bromelain, but it can take some experimentation to see what works best.
Prozyme: http://www.prozymeproducts.com/

Personally I am not a great fan of Missing Link, I have heard owners claim good results with it, but I much prefer to use a fish product for Omega3 Fatty Acids, for example, or add glucosamine at higher doses. It's not that ML is a bad product, simply that I feel there are better  - more precise - approaches to supplementation.

Does this help at all?
Catherine




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your help! I've located this digestive enzyme which has papain and bromelain.
http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Plant-Enzymes-240-Vcaps/726?at=0

What are some obvious signs that digestion has slowed down?  

Answer
This is a fullspecrum enzyme that could work well for your dog. My suggestion is to give it a try, and as long as you dont see evidence of gastric upset, especially loose stool, it would be great to continue.

Slowed digestion can show up in myriad different ways - loose stool, poor coat,weight loss, chronic hunger, stool eating in a dog that never ate stool, pica...if any of these symptoms appear a vet check is in order, but often if there are no immediate signs of disease, the key is nutritional.  A lot of people like to give the enzymes proactively, so before any problems arise. As long as there are not reactions to the enzyme and it's affordable for you, I'd say it's a good idea.

All the best,Catherine