FortiFlora for Dogs: What It Is and How It Compares
Listen to this article
AudioPrefer to hear it? Press play and keep browsing.
FortiFlora is a powdered probiotic supplement from Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements. Each 1 g sachet has the single strain Enterococcus faecium SF68 at 1 x 10^8 CFU and is added to food. Purina positions it to support digestive health and stool quality. If you prefer a multi-strain chewable, Pawganix YeastGuard has four named strains at 4 Billion CFU plus a prebiotic blend, and supports normal gut and skin balance.
Want a daily multi-strain chewable for your dog's gut?
Shop YeastGuardWhat is FortiFlora for dogs?
FortiFlora is a powder probiotic that is sprinkled on your dog's food.
It is sold by Purina as part of its Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements line, in boxes of 30 one-gram sachets. According to Purina's product page, the active ingredient is live, active cultures of one strain, Enterococcus faecium SF68, at 1 x 10^8 CFU per sachet. The inactive ingredients are animal digest and brewer's yeast, which add palatability. The label is for dogs only, and safety in pregnant or breeding animals has not been proven.
What is FortiFlora used for?
Purina describes FortiFlora as supporting digestive health and helping improve stool quality, promoting intestinal health and balance, and helping reduce flatulence. Its page says it is commonly recommended for dogs and puppies with soft stools. Purina also states it is the number one recommended probiotic by veterinarians, citing its own 2024 Veterinary Attitude Study, and gives no further detail on that study.
The label dose for dogs of all sizes is one sachet a day, or as your veterinarian recommends. Because it is a powder, it suits dogs that eat their food without fuss. Dogs that are picky about food with added powder may do better with a different format.
What does the research say about the SF68 strain?
One of the best known trials is a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in an animal shelter by Bybee, Scorza and Lappin, published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2011. It followed 182 dogs and 217 cats across three 4-week periods, with SF68 given at about 1 g a day.
- Cats: fewer cats had diarrhea lasting 2 or more days with SF68 than with placebo.
- Dogs: there were no significant differences. Diarrhea was uncommon in the dogs, with only one dog per group having 2 or more days of it, so the authors considered the dog results inconclusive.
The takeaway is that probiotic research in dogs is still developing, and strain, dose and the dog's own gut all matter. Your vet is the best guide for a dog with ongoing stool problems. For more on how stress can affect a dog's digestion, read can stress cause digestive issues in dogs.
FortiFlora and YeastGuard side by side
The two products are built differently, so this table compares their labels. CFU counts are not a direct measure of which is better, and the strains are different.
| Feature | FortiFlora | YeastGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Powder in 1 g sachets, added to food | Chicken liver flavored chewable tablet |
| Probiotic strains | One: Enterococcus faecium SF68 | Four named strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus coagulans, Saccharomyces boulardii |
| CFU | 1 x 10^8 per sachet | 4 Billion CFU at time of manufacture, 1 Billion per strain |
| Prebiotic | None listed | 125mg blend of FOS and chicory root extract |
| Other actives | None listed | Sodium caprylate, oregano and Pau d'Arco extract, omega-3 from fish oil, niacinamide, zinc, biotin |
| Dosing | One sachet daily, or as your vet recommends | By your dog's weight, see the label |
| Label transparency | Strain and CFU listed | Every active individually dosed, no proprietary blend |
Sources: Purina FortiFlora product page and the Pawganix YeastGuard label.
How do you choose a probiotic for your dog?
Read the strain names
Look for named strains, not just a total CFU, so you know exactly what your dog is getting.
Check how CFU is stated
Some labels list CFU at time of manufacture and some at expiry. Compare like with like.
Match the format to your dog
Powders mix into meals, and chewable tablets work for dogs that take treats easily.
Look past the probiotic
Some formulas add a prebiotic or skin-support nutrients alongside the strains. Decide what you want from the daily routine.
Tell your vet
Share every supplement your dog takes, especially with a sensitive stomach or an ongoing health condition.
For a wider comparison, see our guide to the best probiotics for dogs, compared.
Wondering what is behind your dog's gut or itch pattern?
Take the free Itch Loop Diagnostic. Ten quick questions about your dog, and you get the itch pattern named, the four things driving it, and a plan sized to your dog's weight. No email needed to see your result.
Take the Itch Loop βWhen should you call the vet?
- Diarrhea is bloody, black or lasts more than a day or two
- Your dog is vomiting repeatedly, lethargic, or refusing food and water
- A puppy or small dog has diarrhea, because they can dehydrate quickly
- You see a swollen belly, signs of pain, or your dog may have eaten something harmful
A probiotic is a daily routine, not a response to an emergency.
A reviewer on a daily routine for her dog
A Multi-Strain Daily Chewable.
YeastGuard: 4 Billion CFU across four named strains, a prebiotic blend, sodium caprylate, and oregano and Pau d'Arco extract, every active individually dosed. Chicken liver flavored chewable tablets. 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
Shop YeastGuardFrequently Asked Questions
FortiFlora is a powdered probiotic supplement from Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements. Each 1 g sachet contains Enterococcus faecium SF68 at 1 x 10^8 CFU and is added to food. Purina says it supports digestive health and stool quality.
Purina's label says one 1 g sachet a day for dogs of all sizes, or as your veterinarian recommends. Always follow the label and your vet's advice.
Yes. Its only active culture is Enterococcus faecium SF68. Other probiotics combine several strains, such as YeastGuard, which has four named strains at 1 Billion CFU each.
FortiFlora is a single-strain powder added to food. YeastGuard is a chicken liver flavored chewable tablet with four named strains, a prebiotic blend and other individually dosed actives, dosed by your dog's weight. See the table above for the full comparison.
Ask your veterinarian before combining supplements. Your vet can advise based on your dog's health, diet and any medications.
Purina positions it to support digestive health and stool quality. In a 2011 shelter trial of SF68, the dog results showed no significant differences, and the authors considered them inconclusive. Research on probiotics in dogs is still developing, so talk to your vet about your dog's needs.
It depends on your dog. Powders mix into meals and chewable tablets suit dogs that take treats easily. Pick the format your dog will take consistently.
You're already making the content. Get paid for it.
Commission on your link, or a flat fee per post. Your call. A real person reads every application and replies within two working days.
Apply in two minutesSources
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements. FortiFlora powdered probiotic supplement for dogs: product page, strain, CFU, ingredients, dosing. purina.ca
- Bybee SN, Scorza AV, Lappin MR. Effect of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 on presence of diarrhea in cats and dogs housed in an animal shelter. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2011;25(4):856-860. academic.oup.com
- Pawganix. YeastGuard product page and label. pawganix.com
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. FortiFlora and Purina are trademarks of their respective owner, and Pawganix is not affiliated with Nestle Purina PetCare. Pawganix supplements support normal gut and skin balance.
Most read
-
Itch & YeastThe 7 Best Dog Yeast Infection Supplements Compared (2026 Review)14 min read
-
Itch & YeastBest Supplements for French Bulldogs: What Actually Helps (And What's a Waste of Money)9 min read
-
Itch & YeastBest Ear Infection Supplements for Dogs11 min read
-
Itch & YeastYeastGuard vs. Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites: Ingredients, Results, and Value Compared10 min read
-
Itch & YeastDog Itching But No Fleas: 8 Other Causes You Need to Check11 min read
-
Itch & YeastChronic Dog Ear Yeast Infection: Home Treatment That Actually Stops the Cycle14 min read
