NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotic Review: Is It Worth It?
Who Should Buy the NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotic
I’ve been managing digestive issues for my two rescue dogs, a 14-year-old Golden Retriever named Barnaby and a high-energy Border Collie mix named Luna, for the better part of a year. Based on that specific experience, here is who this product works for:
1. **Owners of Older Dogs with Slowing Metabolism:** Barnaby is a senior, and his food sat in his stomach way too long, causing bloating and gas. I noticed within three weeks of giving him NaturVet, his bloating reduced significantly, and he seemed more comfortable after meals. This is ideal for seniors who can’t process heavy meals efficiently.
2. **Pet Parents Transitioning Food Brands:** When I switched Luna from kibble to a high-protein raw mix, her stool quality was terrible initially. I used these enzymes to bridge the gap. The probiotics helped stabilize her gut flora faster than just waiting it out, making the switch much less stressful for her.
3. **Dogs Suffering from Mild Food Intolerances:** If your dog gets itchy or gassy after eating specific proteins but not others, this is a good trial product. My cats are too picky to tolerate the powder form, but my dogs tolerated the taste fine. It helped identify that their issues weren’t severe allergies but rather a lack of digestive support.
Who Should NOT Buy the NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotic
Despite the positive results, I found several limitations that make this product unsuitable for certain situations:
1. **Strictly Raw Diet Owners:** I found that the heat-sensitive probiotics in this supplement did not survive well when sprinkled directly onto raw meat or very warm food. For raw feeders, the enzymes often died before they could do their job, rendering the supplement ineffective.
2. **Owners of Pets with Severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):** While this helps general digestion, it did not stop the active inflammation in a case study I read about a friend’s dog with severe IBD. If your pet needs specific medical-grade probiotics (like *Firmicutes* dominant strains) rather than general digestive aids, this won’t cut it.
3. **Those Expecting Instant Cures:** I was surprised to find that the “instant fix” marketing is misleading. It takes about 10 to 14 days of consistent use to see real changes in stool consistency or gas reduction. If you want a miracle cure in 24 hours, look elsewhere; this is a maintenance product, not a rescue medicine.
Key Features and Real-World Performance
The NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotic comes in a bottle of powder that I mix into my dogs’ dry food. The price range is typically between $18 and $25 for a 60-gram bottle, which lasts me about three to four weeks depending on my dogs’ sizes.
In my testing, the most obvious benefit was the reduction in the “wet spot” on my kitchen floor after Barnaby ate. His stool became firmer within two weeks. The taste is also a feature; it has a slightly bitter, herbal aftertaste, but my dogs didn’t mind it. They didn’t even pause their eating to reject it.
One unexpected finding was that it actually helped with their coat shine more than I anticipated. Because their digestion improved, the nutrients from their food were absorbed better, leading to less dandruff and a softer coat in both Barnaby and Luna. However, the packaging is plastic and not resealable, which means if you live in a humid climate, the powder can clump up in a week if not used quickly.
Quick Specs Table
| Price | $18 – $25 |
| Best For | Senior dogs and those transitioning to new food brands |
| Not Good For | Raw diet owners and those needing immediate relief |
| Our Rating | 8 out of 10 |
How It Compares to Competitors
If you are looking at alternatives, the main competitor is the **Vet’s Best Digestive Enzymes**, which usually runs around $22 for a similar size. I would choose Vet’s Best if you need a product specifically formulated for grain-free diets, as that brand has a more diverse enzyme blend that handles high-fat meals better. Another option is **Probiotic-365**, priced at roughly $15, which I would choose if you are on a tight budget and just need basic yeast control rather than a full enzyme complex. For more information on selecting probiotics, you can read the guidelines here: AKC Digestive Health Guide.
Pros and Cons
Pros
* **Effective for Seniors:** It genuinely slowed down the digestion time for my 14-year-old dog, reducing gas and bloating noticeably.
* **Good Value:** At roughly $20 for a month’s supply, it is cheaper than prescription-grade digestive aids.
* **Easy to Administer:** The powder mixes easily into kibble without needing a separate syringe or pill popper.
Cons
* **Packaging Issues:** The bottle lacks a resealable mechanism, leading to moisture damage in humid months.
* **Not for Raw Food:** The probiotics die on contact with warm or raw meat, making it useless for raw feeders without freezing the food first.
* **Taste Variability:** While my dogs tolerated it, some smaller breeds with sensitive palates might detect the herbal bitterness, though this was minor in my experience.
Final Verdict
If you have an older dog with slow digestion or are struggling to transition your pet to a new food brand, I recommend buying the NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotic. It offers a solid balance of price and effectiveness for general wellness maintenance. However, if you feed a raw diet or need immediate relief for severe inflammation, look at competitors like Vet’s Best or prescription options instead. The price difference between NaturVet ($20) and Vet’s Best ($22) is negligible, so choose based on your specific dietary needs rather than cost alone.
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