My dog is coming to the end of a course of antibiotics; when he's finally finished them, should I give him some "live" or "probiotic" yogurt to repopulate his gut, or leave it for him to pick up the "local" intestinal microbiota from the environment?  And if I should give him yogurt, is there any which is better for dogs in being closer to the natural canine set-up?

Zuma is nearly finished a course of ABs and I have got him on 'natural live yogurt' from the local farmshop deli. I use it whenever he has ABs, if nothing else it helps to stop the 'cowpat' effect that ABs can cause

Yes, "Natural Live" yogurt fantastic!

The Goat's yogourt would be best but if not available the cow's will be fine.
You can start while on the antibiotics.
No need for the fancy flavours that we may like ourselves, just the basic plain "Natural Live" tubs are best.

Luckily he doesn't get "cow-pats", but I'll give him some of my yogurt - sadly no farmshop deli within 15 miles so he'll have to make do with organic (poor dog ).

Thank you.  He can have a spoonful of plain cow's yogurt today. Why is goat's better than cow's?  I've seen goat's milk recommended for dogs before but not sure why.  I'll have a look for goat's yogurt next shopping day.

> No need for the fancy flavours that we may like ourselves, just the basic plain "Natural Live" tubs are best.

If he's very good he might get Manuka honey yogurt, but he's not getting his paws on my marmalade yogurt (I buy just the plain sort and mix in my own ideas of flavourings).

> Why is goat's better than cow's?  I've seen goat's milk recommended for dogs before but not sure why.

Because goats milk is closer in make-up to bitch milk.   However, when needed, I've used cows natural yogurt with no unwanted side effects.  It's just that goats yogurt 'may' be better.    Be aware however, probiotics, which is what yogurt is, is contained in most good quality dog food so much as it's obviously up to you, I'd suggest your dog doesn't really need yogurt much as giving him a sensible amount, won't hurt.

kefir is even better if you can get some otherwise agree with mamabas or you can get capsules of the probiotics from palaces like dorwest herbs

Zuma does tend to get 'loose !' on ABs, he doesn't like take tabs/capsules especially when he is already taking ABs - he is on day 9 of 10 day course and we have done the 'hide it in food, squash it in wet food etc and are now on the  'open wide and push it down' last day or two so its easier to give him a dollop of yog. I get it from the farm shop as it works out 50% more for double the quantity compared to the shop in the village.

Yes get yourself some milk kefir grains and make your own kefir. Absolutely brilliant stuff. If not then Naturaw sell premade kefir. If not then... Yoghurt I guess (boring ).

Thank you, MamaBas, for explanation.  He is currently on steamed fish and rice following a tummy upset, therefore not getting any extras from his food, so I've started mixing in yogurt.

(I'm not sure how to reply to multiple responses, so)

Thank you to furriefriends, tatty-ead, and Tectona. I've not used kefir so will look into it and experiment. 

Also thanks, furriefriends, for the info about getting the capsules of probiotics.

you can also get powder . I use this probiotic available on line :- Saccharomyces Boulardii   nice name lol

> you can also get powder . I use this probiotic available on line :- Saccharomyces Boulardii   nice name lol

Thank you!

Just to update on this, and to thank all those who recommended goat's milk yogurt.

My lad has been having a teaspoonful of organic goat's milk yogurt on his dinner every day and is doing very well.  There has also been an unexpected but very welcome side effect: for a couple of years his first stool of the day had been (if no action taken) difficult and very painful for him to pass.  Veterinary investigation had resulted in no specific cause found,  anal glands emptied (without much effect), recommendation to use branny cereal (no easing of the problem), and lactulose, which worked (but with diminishing effect so I was just about to increase the dose).  Since he has been on the goat's milk yogurt, his first stool has been firm but is passed without difficulty and lactulose has been discontinued.  Cow's milk yogurt (organic) does not have the same beneficial effect for him.

Many thanks, too, to those who recommended Kefir and Saccharomyces Boulardii - having looked into these, I decided not to try them at present, firstly since he is doing so well on the yogurt, and secondly since he has had problems with yeast growths on the past and there is an element of yeast in these products.

That's interesting. I know dogs find goat and sheep milk products easier to digest than cows milk.

By coincidence when I went to buy more goat's milk yogurt on Saturday, the shop had none in. They did have sheep's, which I bought and tried, and it is having the same good effect.