Can dogs have Enterococcus Faecium?

can dogs have enterococcus faeciumYes

Overview

dog-food-safety-information

Yes, dogs can safely take Enterococcus faecium as a probiotic. It supports gut health and immunity when used correctly. However, quality matters and too much or the wrong strain may cause issues. Always check the dosage and consult your vet for guidance.

Benefits

health-benefits
  • Enterococcus faecium is a probiotic bacterium that naturally lives in the intestines. It’s commonly used as a supplement or a probiotic additive in commercially prepared dog food to help maintain or restore a healthy balance of good bacteria in the digestive system.
  • Dogs on antibiotics or have gastrointestinal infections can benefit from taking probiotics with Enterococcus faecium to restore the gut flora balance.
  • Enterococcus faecium crowds out harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella, by competing for nutrients and space along the intestinal lining. This slows down their proliferation and eventually lowers their population.

Risks

health-risks
  • Enterococcus faecium may interact with certain antibiotics if given at the same time, which affects the efficacy of the probiotics.
  • The quality and viability of probiotics vary significantly between brands in that some strains could either be dead or inactive by the time your dog consumes them. In such a case, it will not provide the desired outcome.
  • This bacterium species has been shown to take on the characteristics of pathogen bacteria while at the same time stimulating the immune systems in puppies.
health-risks-dog

Servings

serving-suggestions
  • Enterococcus faecium is typically administered as a probiotic supplement in powder, capsule, or incorporated in kibble.
  • Common dosage in dogs ranges from 100 million to 10 billion CFU (colony forming units) per day, depending on the weight and health condition of the dog. It should be given with or after food to enhance survival through the stomach.
  • Enterococcus faecium is not meant for long-term use unless prescribed for chronic gastrointestinal conditions by the vet.

You may also like

Articles by food type

what fruits can dogs eat

Fruit & Veg

can dogs eat human food

Human Food

can dogs eat raw meat

Meat & Offal

Diet & Recipes

Diet & Recipes

Supplements

Supplements

herbs for dogs

Herbs & Spices

can dogs eat egg and dairy

Egg & Dairy

can dogs eat seafood

Seafood

can dogs eat pumpkin seeds

Nuts & Seeds

can dogs eat grains

Grains

Oils

Oils

Plants

Plants