Get Joy vs PetLab Co: Which Dog Probiotic Chew Is Right for Your Dog?

Updated: July 2026 · Reviewed against verified competitor data and Get Joy product facts · See our vet & nutrition experts

If you have scrolled social media in the last three years, you have seen PetLab Co. It is one of the most heavily advertised dog supplement brands online, which means a lot of shoppers arrive at it through an ad rather than a formula. That is not a knock; it just means the smart move is to look past the marketing and read the label, and PetLab Co's current formula holds up better than its ad-saturation reputation suggests. This post does something a little different: it gives you an honest framework for judging any dog probiotic, then applies it evenhandedly to both PetLab Co and Get Joy, so you can see where each one fits.

What is the main difference between Get Joy and PetLab Co?

The main difference is not the biotics, it is the extras and the system, because this is the most complete competitor in the series. On the biotics the two are genuinely close: both use named spore-forming Bacillus strains, both include prebiotics, and both include a postbiotic. Where Get Joy pulls ahead is what surrounds the probiotic. Get Joy adds algal omega-3 for a normal inflammatory response and L-glutamine to fuel the gut lining directly, alongside ginger and kelp, where PetLab leans on pumpkin and honey.

Two more distinctions matter. PetLab's chews use brewers yeast among their binders, which is worth noting for yeast-sensitive or itch-prone dogs, and Get Joy skips it. And Get Joy's chew is designed to pair with meals that carry the same Belly Biotics science, so the routine reinforces itself rather than sitting on top of unrelated food.

How do you judge any dog probiotic?

Before the head-to-head, here is what actually matters on a label, so you can judge any product, not just these two. Judge the label, not the ad.

Both PetLab Co's current formula and Get Joy hold up better than most of the category on this test, which is exactly why the comparison is close.

Get Joy vs PetLab Co at a glance

One important note before the table: PetLab Co sells more than one probiotic chew and has updated formulas over time. An older, standard version uses an 8-strain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium blend with pumpkin, honey, and inulin; the current, advanced version uses a 3-strain spore-forming blend with FOS, GOS, and a postbiotic yeast blend. We compared against the current, advanced SKU (B. coagulans, B. clausii, and B. subtilis, 3 billion CFU, FOS and GOS, with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Cyberlindnera jadinii postbiotic yeast blend). Confirm which SKU is live before you buy.

Which is better for your dog's gut health?

On the biotics themselves, this one is close to a tie, and that is a credit to PetLab. Both products use spore-forming Bacillus strains at 3 billion CFU, both are transparent about naming their strains, and both include a postbiotic yeast component, so both cover the full pre, pro, and postbiotic trio that most of the category still skips.

Because the biotic cores are so similar, gut-health advantage comes down to what surrounds them and what your dog eats the rest of the day. Get Joy adds L-glutamine to fuel the gut lining and omega-3 for a normal inflammatory response, and it is built to pair with gut-first meals so the whole routine points the same direction. If you want the science first, start with Gut Health 101 and postbiotics for dogs.

Which has better ingredients and extras?

The differentiators are the functional extras and one binder worth flagging. Give PetLab Co real credit first: its current formula uses named spore-forming Bacillus strains, two prebiotics (FOS and GOS), and a postbiotic yeast blend, which puts it in the small group of competitors that actually cover all three biotics. The chews are palatable and widely available.

Where Get Joy pulls ahead is the extras. Probiotics are the good bacteria, prebiotics feed them, and postbiotics are the beneficial compounds the bacteria produce after they feed, like short-chain fatty acids that nourish the gut lining and support immune balance, working without depending on live bacteria surviving digestion. On top of that shared foundation, Get Joy adds algal omega-3, L-glutamine, ginger, and kelp, which are targeted gut-lining and inflammatory support that PetLab's pumpkin and honey do not match. Worth flagging honestly: brewers yeast appears as a binder in PetLab's chews, which some itch-prone or yeast-sensitive dogs do better avoiding. To see how Get Joy's system is built, read what Belly Biotics is.

What does each cost per day?

Both are subscription DTC products, so compare on a per-day basis. Get Joy Digestion Chews run $39.99 for 90 chews, about $0.40 a day for a dog under 30 pounds. PetLab Co is sold on subscription with periodic promos, so confirm the current price and count.

Because both cover all three biotics, the tie-breaker here is often the extras and whether brewers yeast is a concern for your dog.

Which fits real life better?

Both are palatable soft chews on easy subscriptions, so day to day they feel similar. PetLab offers pork and salmon flavors; Get Joy is chicken. The practical differences are the ingredient sensitivities, namely brewers yeast in PetLab, and whether you want the omega-3 and L-glutamine built in. If you feed or are considering gut-first meals, Get Joy's chew is designed to work with them as one routine, and it is backed by a 30-Day Love-It money-back guarantee. Wondering how soon you might notice a change? See how long dog supplements take to work.

The final verdict: Get Joy or PetLab Co?

PetLab Co is more complete than its ad-heavy reputation suggests, and in its current formula it is one of the few competitors that covers all three biotics. Get Joy matches that completeness, adds omega-3 and L-glutamine, skips the brewers yeast, and pairs with a gut-first meal system.

Frequently asked questions

What is a postbiotic for dogs?

A postbiotic is a beneficial compound produced when probiotics ferment prebiotic fiber, such as short-chain fatty acids. Postbiotics help nourish the gut lining and support immune balance, and they work without relying on live bacteria surviving digestion. Both Get Joy and PetLab Co's current formula include a postbiotic, which is more than most competitors.

How long until a dog probiotic works?

Most dog parents notice firmer stools and less gas within about 3 to 5 days of daily use, with a more balanced microbiome building over roughly 90 days. Give any quality chew a few weeks of consistent use before judging results.

Can I give my dog a probiotic every day?

Yes. Both Get Joy and PetLab Co are made for daily use, and daily use is what maintains a balanced gut microbiome. If your dog takes medication or has a health condition, check with your vet first.

How do I choose a good dog probiotic?

Look for all three biotics (pre, pro, and post), named spore-forming strains that survive to the gut, functional extras rather than filler, and consider what your dog eats the rest of the day. Judge the label, not the ad, and both of these products hold up better than most on that test.

How many Get Joy Digestion Chews does my dog need?

Get Joy Digestion Chews are dosed by weight: 1 chew for dogs up to 30 lb, 2 chews for 31 to 60 lb, 3 chews for 61 to 90 lb, and 4 chews for 91 lb and up. They are NASC certified, made in the USA, and backed by a 30-Day Love-It money-back guarantee.

PetLab Co details (current formula B. coagulans, B. clausii, and B. subtilis at 3 billion CFU, FOS and GOS prebiotics, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Cyberlindnera jadinii postbiotic yeast blend, brewers yeast binder, and pork and salmon flavors) are drawn from PetLab Co's own website and public retailer listings as of July 2026; PetLab sells more than one chew and updates formulas over time, so confirm which SKU is live on thepetlabco.com before buying. Get Joy figures are from getjoyfood.com and internal product documentation. This article is for education and is not veterinary advice. These statements describe general structure and function and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your vet for your dog's individual needs.