What to feed dog on antibiotics

Vets are constantly prescribing antibiotics to dogs. The problem is antibiotics can harm your dog’s microbiome and increase the risk of chronic disease.

The good news is you can resolve many problems like diarrhea or ear infections without antibiotics. But sometimes there’s no other option and your dog needs antibiotics. 

If you have to give your dog antibiotics there are things you can do to prevent damage and further problems …

3 Things You Shouldn’t Do 

If you must give your dog antibiotics you don’t want to do these three things …

Your dog’s microbiome is made up of communities of bacteria. These communities contain harmful bacteria but they’re kept in check by a healthy population of beneficial ones. 

Probiotics help promote the growth and survival of beneficial bacteria. So it makes sense that giving probiotics during and after a round of antibiotics would help balance your dog’s microbiome. 

Probiotics with Lactobacillus bacteria can be very beneficial for your dog. They: 

• Inhibit growth of harmful bacteria 
• Benefit immune cells 
• Increase population of good bacteria in the gut 
• Help regulate mood and emotions 
• Improve colon health and reduce IBS 

But when they’re given during or after antibiotic use, Lactobacillus probiotics can delay the microbiome’s recovery. This can leave your dog susceptible to even worse health problems. 

You’ll learn later on which probiotics you should give. But first … here’s two more important things you shouldn’t do. 

The more that you use antibiotics for dogs, the more resistant your dog can become to them. Studies on farm animals show that continued use can lead to antibiotics resistance. And not just for the animals taking them … the people who worked on the farms also grew a resistance. 

And it isn’t just animals and people. Overuse of antibiotics has led to resistant organisms that survive even the strongest medicines. This can lead to serious infections medicine isn’t able to handle. 

That’s why it’s important to use antibiotics sparingly and save them for life-threatening illnesses. If your dog has diarrhea, ear infections, minor wounds or other manageable problems … look for alternative remedies. That way you can save antibiotics for life-threatening illnesses that have no other solutions. 

3. Nothing 

Antibiotics stop infections by killing bacteria but antibiotics kill indiscriminately. They don’t differentiate between bad bacteria and beneficial bacteria that help keep your dog healthy. This exposes your dog to even more health problems. 

If you have to give your dog antibiotics, the worst thing you can do is nothing. If you do nothing, you’ll leave your dog with poor gut health, which can lead to other chronic issues. 

Instead, here’s three things you can do to reduce the risk …

3 Things You Should Do 

If your dog is on antibiotics, be sure to do these three things …

Now you know you shouldn’t use Lactobacillus probiotics to repair the microbiome after antibiotic use. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give probiotics. 

Instead, choose Saccharomyces boulardii. Or choose soil based probiotics like Bacillus subtiliis and Bacillus coagulans. These probiotics can help restore your dog’s microbiome and gut health. 

Saccharomyces boulardii isn’t your typical probiotic … it’s a healthy yeast that isn’t killed by antibiotics. You can give it to your dog while he’s on antibiotics to protect beneficial bacteria in the gut. It can also help prevent antibiotic-related diarrhea. It’s also helpful for yeast infections and reduces chronic inflammation. 

Soil based probiotics are spore-forming bacteria found in soil and water. They can form a hard shell that protects them from most antibiotics. Bacillus subtiliis and Bacillus coagulans are two common Bacillus strains you can try. 

Bacillus coagulans crowds out unfriendly bacteria, reduces inflammation and helps with digestive issues. Bacillus subtiliis helps boost the immune system and strengthens the gut. It’s also helpful for urinary tract infections (UTI). 

At Four Leaf Rover, we have three probiotic products. If your dog is on antibiotics we recommend using Gut Guard or Protect. Both products contain Bacillus subtiliis and Bacillus coagulans. Protect also has Saccharomyces boulardii. 

While BFF can support the gut and help with digestive upset, constipation and bowel disease … it contains Lactobacillus probiotics that you shouldn’t give with antibiotics. 

Whenever you give your dog probiotics, you want to give prebiotics as well. Prebiotics are soluble fibers that travel to your dog’s colon and feed the bacteria living there. They help make beneficial bacteria more effective and can help increase the populations of good bacteria living in your dogs gut. 

Prebiotics also help create postbiotics, like short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These help improve your dogs …

Common prebiotics you can add to your dog’s diet are mushrooms, dandelion root and burdock root. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are also prebiotic. 

You can also look for a probiotic supplement that contains prebiotics. This is a convenient way to make sure your dog gets what he needs. But don’t forget to check the bacteria strains to be sure you’re giving your dog Saccharomyces boulardii  or soil based probiotics. 

3. Avoid starch 

Starch feeds harmful bacteria species that can increase your dog’s risk of getting sick. That means you want to steer clear of kibbles … they’re full of starchy carbohydrates your dog doesn’t need (even when he isn’t on antibiotics). 

Insead you want to feed a high protein low carb (HPLC) diet. This will improve the diversity of your dog’s gut microbiome and support the beneficial bacteria. Feeding a raw diet is an excellent choice for a more balanced gut.   

Finding natural alternatives to harmful antibiotics is important. But sometimes you don’t have a choice. If your dog needs antibiotics … follow these 6 pieces of advice. That way you can help your dog get better, while preventing further issues down the road. 

Published: 5/21/2021

Getting our pets to take their medicine can be tricky at best and seemingly "impawssible" at worst. Antibiotics may be a little easier to administer, since many pets feel under the weather from their infection and may not put up much of a fight.

Antibiotics come in a wide range of forms, including capsules, powders, liquids, and chewables. We'll share some tips for administering each type of antibiotic to both dogs and cats.

First, talk to your vet if you have any concerns about getting your dog or cat to take their medicine. They'll be able to provide some tips and best practices for administering meds to a stubborn fur-baby.

Read the product instructions carefully. Since some antibiotics, like amoxicillin, have a short half-life, giving each dose on time is essential for eradicating the infection.

Set an alarm or reminder on your phone to make sure you don't forget any doses. If you'll be away from home when your pet needs their meds, ask a trusted friend, roommate, or family member to cover for you. (Or book a drop-in visit with Wag! to ensure your pup takes their medication on time!)

If you do forget a dose, check the instructions. For most antibiotics, you won't need to double up on doses. You'll usually need to skip the missed dose and give the next one at the scheduled time. Contact your vet if you're not sure what to do if your pet misses a dose of antibiotics.

Let's explore some fun, easy ways to trick your dog into taking their meds. Check out our guides on administering pills and liquid medications to your dog for more practical advice.

Hide the pill in a piece of food

This is the oldest trick in the book! Wrap up the capsule or tablet in a piece of cheese, or hide it in a small amount of canned dog food. (Don't try this one if your dog has to take it on an empty stomach.) Be sure to feed only a small amount so your dog takes the whole antibiotic.

Sprinkle the powder over your dog's food or into a liquid

Some antibiotics, like tylosin, come in powder form. Some powders are water-soluble and can be added to a liquid. Others can be mixed with food. If your vet prescribes a powder, ask whether you can add it to your pet's food or compound it into a liquid. Again, be sure to feed a small amount to ensure your dog consumes all the medicine. Don't crush up your dog's tablets or pills and add them to your dog's food without asking your vet first.

Get some pill-pocket treats and make it a fun game

This is a "grrreat" way to distract your dog. Buy some pill-pocket treats from your local big-box pet store and prepare to play! Hide the pill in one of the treats and head outside. Toss your dog a few treats, then toss them the one with the pill inside. Hopefully, they'll gobble it down without even noticing.

Be super vigilant during the game to make sure your dog takes the medication. If you can't find any pill-pocket treats at your local pet store, try molding a soft treat around the pill instead.

Sneak it into a toy

If you own a KONG, use it to your advantage! Add the capsule, tablet, or chewable to the KONG with peanut butter or soft food. Chances are, your pup will play for hours without even knowing they've taken their meds. Make sure to check the KONG afterward to ensure they ate all the food and the medicine along with it.

Ask for a flavored option

Let's face it — most meds taste bitter or downright gross. If your pup has a history of refusing their meds, ask your vet if they can prescribe a flavored chewable tablet instead. Some antibiotics, like Clavamox, are available in yummy flavors like cheese, chicken, and pork liver.

Unfortunately, our feline friends are often harder to persuade. Some of the methods above won't work for cats. Since cats are more likely to chew their food, they're more likely to spit out the bitter medication if they taste it. Your best bet is getting it right the first time — which is much easier said than done!

Here are a few things to keep in mind when administering antibiotics to cats.

Know what not to do

Whenever administering antibiotics to a cat, don't:

• crush up a pill or tablet into your cat's food. (Unless your vet recommends it.)
• add your cat's meds to milk, cheese, or another dairy product. (Contrary to popular belief, cats can't digest dairy!)
• give your cat cold liquid medication. (They're more likely to accept it at room temperature.)
• feed your cat "people" food like tuna to encourage them to take their meds. (Canned tuna, especially in oil, can cause stomach upset.)
• approach your cat suddenly or forcefully. (This will put them on guard and make it harder to adminster the medication.)

Try the swaddle method

Use the swaddle method as a last resort for a "pawticularly" stubborn cat. Grab a towel or plush blanket and wrap up your cat like a burrito. Then, open their mouth and administer the antibiotic. Be as quick as you can — this will cause some stress for your cat. But an annoyed cat is always better than a sick cat!

Monitor your pet for signs of an allergic reaction

Many antibiotics for pets are in the pencillin class. Penicillin allergies in dogs and cats are quite common. Consult your vet if you notice any of the following signs of an antibiotic allergy:

*Indicates common signs of anaphylactic shock, a potentially deadly condition that requires immediate attention.

Always give the full course of antibiotics, even if your pet seems to be feeling better

Stopping a course of antibiotics early may not fully eradicate the infection. Not only can this cause the infection to recur, but it can also make the bacteria resistant to that particular antibiotic. This will prolong your pet's discomfort and require another, stronger course of antibiotics.

Got questions or concerns about administering antibiotics to your pet? Consult your vet or chat live with a veterinarian now!