FortiFlora is a probiotic additive in dog food. The manufacturer claims that it is guaranteed to restore the intestinal microflora and, thereby, normalize the functioning of the digestive system and strengthen the immune system. Some dog owners agree with this statement, while others note that the product is a dummy.
In this review, we’ll look at whether Fortiflora is really effective, what makes it work, how to use it, and whether there are better and cheaper analogues. At the end of the article you will find real reviews, answers to your questions and recommendations for using the drug.
Release form and composition
FortiFlora for dogs (FortiFlora) is a dietary supplement (BAA) to improve digestion. It is produced by the pet food company Purina.
The product is a probiotic feed additive in the form of a brown powder. Packaged in 1 g sachets. Sold in packs of 30 sachets (average price 1,650 rubles), or individually (for 50-55 rubles).
The main active ingredient of the dietary supplement is lactic acid bacteria Enterococcus faecium SF68. Their minimum content is 5×108 CFU/g. This is the amount necessary to normalize the functioning and intestinal microflora.
In addition to the probiotic SF68, FortiFlora includes a digest of animal origin - meat and its processed products, thanks to which the product smells pleasant to animals and increases the palatability of feed. Additionally, the dietary supplement contains stabilizers of intestinal microflora and biologically active substances:
| Active substance | Content (ml per 1 kg) |
| Iron | 2 230 |
| Iodine | 28 |
| Copper | 445 |
| Manganese | 920 |
| Zinc | 3 760 |
| Selenium | 2,6 |
| Vitamin E | 6 000 |
| Vitamin C | 4 375 |
| Taurine | 500 |
Guaranteed indicators of the feed additive:
| Squirrels | 54% |
| Fats | 19% |
| Crude fiber | 1% |
| Raw ash | 10% |
| Metabolic energy | 3.9 kcal/g |
Indications for use
FortiFlora is indicated for any pathologies of the digestive system and for their prevention. It is used for:
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract caused by an imbalance of intestinal microflora;
- taking antibiotics;
- dysbacteriosis;
- gastroenteritis;
- defecation disorders: diarrhea, constipation;
- stressful situations that can cause digestive problems: moving, traveling, change of owner, etc.;
- changing your diet;
- low appetite;
- decreased immunity.
FortiFlora is also recommended for bottle-fed puppies or when transitioning from mother's milk to adult food. The supplement is especially useful if children are underweight, have abnormal stools, or are bloated.
What is it used for in dogs' diets?
"FortiFlora" is recommended in the following cases:
- Diarrhea due to antibiotics, unfamiliar foods, or stress.
- Gastroenteritis and dysbiosis against its background.
- Acute enteritis.
- Stool disorders in puppies.
- Preventing stomach disorders.
- Flatulence.
- Other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
The supplement should be used by puppies weaning from their mother's milk. Due to such changes, they may experience an upset stomach. Dogs sometimes lose their appetite and refuse food. The probiotic prevents these symptoms, and the baby soon gets used to the change. It is used for preventive purposes against the listed pathologies, to eliminate them and normalize intestinal function.
The product does not pose a danger to animals, therefore it is used to prevent pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract under circumstances due to which they usually occur (stress, traveling in a car, changing place of residence). It should be given when using antibiotics.
How it works
Thanks to the content of SF 68 probiotics, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, the dietary supplement has a multifaceted beneficial effect on the body. When taking it:
- intestinal microflora is restored;
- the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract improves;
- the dog’s immunity and resistance to infections increases;
- digestive tract disorders are prevented or eliminated;
- the absorption of biologically active substances improves;
- the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms is prevented;
- the body is cleansed of toxins;
- regenerative processes improve;
- the functioning of the thyroid gland is normalized.
The effectiveness is due to the unique shell of the powder granules. It is multilayered, due to which biologically active substances are not dissolved by gastric juice, but enter unchanged into the intestines, where they begin to act.
Storing a Probiotic Supplement
Rules for storing this probiotic include the following points:
- temperature range from +5 to + 25©;
- no exposure to sunlight;
- low humidity coefficient;
- absence of strong-smelling or toxic substances in the room.
You should not store Fortiflora next to ready-made feed in order to prevent accidental feeding of the drug to the animal in large quantities.
Instructions for use and dosage
Using the feed additive from Purina is simple: sprinkle the powder on a portion of any food: natural, dry, wet. Give 1 sachet per day, regardless of the age, weight and breed of the dog.
Make sure your pet eats the entire bag at once: the effectiveness of the dietary supplement depends on this. But usually animals eat the granules with pleasure, so you won’t have to persuade your pet to eat the supplement.
How many days to give depends on your goals:
- for prophylaxis, the product is used for 3-5 days;
- for gastrointestinal disorders - at least 7 days;
- if the dog has serious digestive disorders, dysbiosis, gastroenteritis, dietary supplements are given for a month, regardless of when the improvement occurs.
When using FortiFlora simultaneously with antibiotics, the medications should be separated as far in time as possible. For example, give antibiotics in the evening and a feed additive in the morning.
Characteristics of Fortiflora
This is a probiotic dietary supplement for pets. It contains beneficial microorganisms that have the following properties:
- Produce antibodies to viruses of different types. This improves the functioning of the immune system.
- Neutralize toxins that are released by harmful microorganisms that enter the dog's digestive system.
The feed additive can be used from the first days of a dog's life. But if they are fed with mother's milk, then there is no need to use Fortiflora. When, for some reason, puppies are fed artificially, it makes sense to use a probiotic if they experience growth retardation, digestive disorders, and manifestations of dysbacteriosis.
In addition to the probiotic itself - lactobacilli Enterococcus faecium SF68® - the drug contains other components that are useful for dogs:
- Vitamin C. This is a powerful antioxidant that protects the dog’s body from pathogens. The substance protects animals from colds, strengthens connective tissue and the walls of blood vessels.
Contraindications and side effects
The dietary supplement has no contraindications: it is approved for dogs of any breed, of various ages, weights and conditions: puppies, pregnant and lactating bitches, elderly and malnourished dogs. Except for 2 points:
- possible food allergies;
- feeding the kitten with maternal colostrum without signs of weight gain.
FortiFlora is well tolerated by animals; stool disturbances and increased intoxication are only occasionally possible. We'll talk more about this in the final section.
Analogues of the drug
There are no complete analogues. But there are a number of similar drugs. I have listed the most popular ones to replace FortiFlora with:
| Analogue | Differences | average cost |
| Pro-Colin | A combined drug containing the probiotic Enterococcus faecium and the prebiotic Preplex. Also supplemented with kaolin and pectin - protect the intestinal mucosa. Available in the form of a paste, packaged in dispensing syringes of 15, 30 and 60 ml. | 800 rub. for 15 ml. |
| Kanigest | The composition and release form is similar to Pro-Colin. Also contains a complex of pro- and prebiotics with kaolin and pectin. It is most often used in kittens during the period of diet change, growth, and vaccination. | 850 rub. for 15 ml. |
| Evitalia Vet | A preparation based on skimmed milk powder. Contains probiotic cultures of living cells of lactic acid and propionic acid bacteria, as well as prebiotics inulin and lactulose. Promotes the growth and development of normal intestinal microflora. | 520 rub. for 30 tablets. |
| Lactobifid | Russian drug based on skimmed milk powder. Contains bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, streptococci. Restores the balance of intestinal microflora, prevents the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, stimulates the immune system. | 85 rub. for 20 tablets. |
| Lactoferon | Another feed additive from. In addition to the complex of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and streptococci, it includes a phytocomplex of medicinal herbal extracts. Additionally, it has a hepatoprotective effect, neutralizes pathogenic microflora not only in the intestines, but also in the lungs, nasopharynx, and genitourinary system. | 95 rub. for 20 tablets. |
| Vetom | Probiotic, contains bacteria Bacillus subtilis DSM. Available in the form of powder, capsules, drops. Normalizes intestinal function by secreting antibiotic-like substances, enzymes and biologically active substances by BS bacteria. Additionally, it increases dogs' resistance to viral and bacterial infections. | 720 rub. per package of 50 capsules, 500 g of powder or 10 ml of drops. |
general description
Lactobifadol is a Russian product. The drug is produced in a cardboard package with a picture of a cat, inside of which there is a vacuum plastic bag with the drug. It has the appearance of a homogeneous free-flowing powder, the color of which can vary from white to light brown. The composition does not contain stabilizers, preservatives, dyes, GMOs and hormonal components, antibiotics and flavoring additives.
Important! It is strictly not recommended to use a drug with a violation of the integrity or tightness of the packaging, without appropriate markings on the packages, with a changed consistency or color, or with the presence of foreign impurities!
The shelf life of the probiotic in original packaging is 12 months at a temperature of 2-10°C or 3 months at room temperature. For storage, choose a dry place, protected from direct sunlight, out of reach of children and pets.
Owner reviews
Lika: “My dog developed bloody diarrhea. After the main treatment, the veterinarian recommended FortiFlora. I added it to food (we are on natural food): the dog ate better, the food was digested well, the output was a bang."
Ksenia: “My sneeze ate it during the period of natural feeding, constant diarrhea, colitis and antibiotic treatment. The veterinarian prescribed FortiFlora. Although I also gave other probiotics at different times: there was no difference, except for the smell and price. There’s nothing special about the drug.”
Nikita: “An excellent probiotic. Restores and regulates the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract in a couple of days. I have repeatedly tested its effectiveness on my dogs. Especially suitable for babies when changing their diet.”
Sasha: “I gave it to puppies during the recovery period after enteritis: dysbacteriosis developed while taking antibiotics. I didn’t notice any effect, although I took the course according to the rules. The babies were treated with other drugs.”
Alina: “I have a 10-year-old golden retriever girl. While walking, she ate something: the next day she refused to eat or drink and had repeated diarrhea. On the second day the picture did not improve, so we went to the clinic. After treatment, my health improved, but the gastrointestinal disorder remained. The veterinarian prescribed FortiFlora for 10 days: after 3 days, the diarrhea went away, the dog became happier and stronger every day.”
Answers to frequently asked questions
Can cats be given FortiFlora for dogs?
No, there is a separate version of this probiotic for cats with a different concentration of active ingredients.
Is it possible to solder the product? And how to dilute the powder?
No you can not. The dietary supplement is specially designed in dry form: this way it will penetrate the intestines and will act there. If you dilute the powder, the integrity of the granules will be compromised and their effectiveness will approach zero.
Does your dog eat a different brand/natural food? Is a Purina food supplement suitable for her?
Yes, FortiFlora is suitable for all dogs, regardless of diet.
Is it possible to divide a single dose of powder into 2-3 doses?
It is not advisable to do this, because... this will reduce the effectiveness of the drug: it is important that the dog eats a portion at a time. But the approach is acceptable for small breeds with underweight or if you are using dietary supplements only to improve the taste of food and increase palatability.
Description of the probiotic Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora
Fortiflora has the following positive effects:
- promotes the production of antibodies to viruses by the animal’s body, which leads to improved functioning of the immune system;
- counteracts pathogenic microflora, neutralizing toxins formed as a result of the activity of harmful microbes;
- helps remove harmful substances from the body in case of poisoning;
- participates in the production of vitamin B, which improves metabolic processes in the dog’s body.
The drug is indicated for dysbiosis of any kind, including those caused by antibacterial therapy. Veterinarians recommend a feed additive for diarrhea caused by poor diet, food changes, and stressful situations.
Fortiflora helps with acute enteritis, flatulence, gastroenteritis and other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Is it possible to give the powder to cats?
The manufacturer of Fortiflora produces a food additive designed specifically for cats. This drug was created taking into account the characteristics of the body of these pets, so it is hardly worth using a dog product for cats.
