Best Probiotics For Cats

Like humans, your cat's gut bacteria can become disrupted, resulting in various uncomfortable symptoms and conditions. To help you manage your kitty's gut health, our New York vets have compiled information on the best cat probiotics.

Do Cats Need Probiotics?

You are probably well aware of the direct correlation between probiotics and good digestion – which may lead you to wonder if probiotics are good for your cat.

If you observe that your cat is often experiencing digestive issues or symptoms related to anxiety, it could be due to an overload of unhealthy gut bacteria. Your cat's stomach has a complex system of bacteria that, when balanced properly, can provide your furry friend with a comfortable life. However, if the bad bacteria outnumber the good bacteria, it can negatively impact their digestive health and overall well-being.

How can probiotics help your cat's gut?

Probiotics are live microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast that are able to help restore the balance of healthy bacteria. There are a number of factors and situations that can lead to an unhealthy balance of bacteria.

Harmful bacteria can impact various aspects of your cat's health, including digestion, weight, hormones, mood, immunity, and susceptibility to infections. Probiotics can aid in addressing these concerns.

• Diarrhea: This can commonly be caused by viruses such as feline panleukopenia or parasitic diseases such as giardiasis.
• Antibiotics: The use of probiotics is common in humans taking antibiotics as the medication helps to rid the body of illness-causing bacteria, but also the good bacteria. Taking probiotics may be able to help restore the balance in cats as well.
• Stress: Stress can be related to gastrointestinal issues, by giving your cat a probiotic, you can help them manage their gut health through stressful situations.
• Flatulence: When a cat (or any other creature) suffers from gastrointestinal issues, it can lead to an increase in flatulence.
• Constipation: Along with flatulence, gastrointestinal concerns can lead to constipation.
• Immune system booster: If you have a very young or very old kitty, they could use probiotics' immune-boosting benefits.
• Overweight and obesity: Some vets believe that there is a direct link between the health of the cat's gut bacteria and obesity.
• Chronic diseases: Bad gut bacteria can contribute to inflammatory bowel disease or feline intestinal lymphoma.
• Other diseases: Hormonal diseases and allergies can both cause issues affecting the bacteria in your cat's stomach.
• Infections: As mentioned above, probiotics may be recommended if your cat is having treatment for infections using antibiotics.

The Best Types of Probiotics for Cats

The most prevalent kinds of probiotics are those based on lactic acid, including:

• Bifidobacterium
• Enterococcus
• Lactobacillus spp
• Streptococcus.

For cats, in particular, the best types of probiotics are Enterococcus and Bifidobacterium. 

Each of these probiotics resides in its own area. Enterococcus generally lives in your cat's colon, whereas Bifidobacterium can be found in the small intestine. Enterococcus focuses on colonic health while aiding in the formation of healthy feces, whereas Bifidobacterium aims to keep up with digestive health.

The different types of probiotics have different purposes and can provide different types of aid. This makes choosing a probiotic with a number of different strains (at least two) very important.

What probiotics do vets recommend?

If you're looking for a probiotic for your feline companion, it's important to consider the method of delivery. Probiotics come in various forms, such as powders, capsules, chews, or even integrated into food. The key factor to remember is to select a probiotic with the appropriate combination of ingredients to meet your cat's requirements.

Probiotics are not something that you should create at home, leave the science behind gut bacteria to the experts.

Are there any side effects with probiotics for cats?

While the most notable side effect would be flatulence, our vets in New York also would like to remind you again that these are live bacteria, so they should only be administered under the direction of a vet.

When should cats take probiotics?

Aside from taking on a daily basis to help promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria, you may also want to consider giving your cat probiotics if you begin to notice any of the following concerns:

If you notice any changes in your cat's digestive health during these situations, you should speak with your vet about treatment with probiotics.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.