Top 5 Probiotics for Your Cat (And Why Your Cat Needs Them!)

by Michelle Mayers Dec 03, 2020 Jun 07, 2021

Probiotics aren’t just for humans anymore! Cats can also benefit from probiotics, which can improve their gut health and keep their digestive system in check. There is a wide range of effective, affordable probiotics for cats on the market right now, including our pick for the best overall probiotic, Purina ProPlan Fortiflora.

Cats have sensitive digestive systems, so don’t forget to consult with your cat’s veterinarian before making any change in your cat’s diet or lifestyle. If you’re looking to improve your cat’s digestive health, here are our selections for the best cat probiotics that are currently available.

Reviews of the Best Cat Probiotics

Best Probiotic: Purina ProPlan Fortiflora Probiotics

Fortiflora for cats is a delicious and easy way to add probiotics to your feline’s diet. Simply sprinkle the contents of one packet on your cat’s food once a day and watch as the probiotics improve your cat’s overall health. Fortiflora is the top probiotic supplement recommended for cats by veterinarians, and it is especially effective for cats with diarrhea.

Best Natural Option: NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotics

This powder, which was formulated by veterinarians, is perfect for anyone looking to improve their cat’s digestive health. The digestive enzymes in this supplement assist with changes in diet, as well as sensitive stomachs.

Best Budget Probiotic: Premo Pet Probiotic for Cats

With this probiotic, you don’t need to sacrifice quality for affordability. It features six different strains of bacteria to improve your cat’s overall health and combat ailments such as diarrhea, constipation, and yeast infections.

Best Probiotic on Amazon: FERA Cat Probiotics Max-Strength

Featuring twelve strains of bacteria, this probiotic is one of the best cat probiotics on the market. Its “good” bacteria work to reduce inflammation in your cat’s gastrointestinal system and body, and it can even reduce bad breath.

Best-Reviewed Probiotic: Vet Classics Protegrity EZ Probiotics

This probiotic comes in both powder form and soft chews, allowing you to select whichever your cat would prefer. Its blend of enzymes and bacteria makes it effective in establishing a healthy balance of bacteria in cats, and it has many rave reviews from satisfied customers online.

Guide to Cat Probiotic Supplements

This guide is intended to reveal what probiotics are as well as how and why they can improve the health of your cat. Probiotics have been shown to improve gastrointestinal health in cats as well as humans by creating a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut. Improved gut health can increase your cat’s overall immunity, as well as their health and happiness.

Probiotics Defined

Probiotics are “friendly” bacteria, or living microorganisms, that live within the digestive system of your cat. Adding these good bacteria to your cat’s gut can help prevent or treat a wide variety of illnesses and have major health benefits.

Are Probiotics Beneficial for All Cats?

Cat probiotics have very few known side effects, so most cats should be able to ingest them. However, cats should be over six weeks old before consuming probiotics, and cat owners should consult with their veterinarian before making any changes in their cat’s diet.

Benefits of the Best Cat Probiotics

There are many benefits to adding a probiotic supplement to your cat’s diet. Keep reading to learn about the main advantages.

Digestive Health

Because probiotics primarily work to enhance the balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, the majority of improvements you will notice in your cat will likely be related to their digestive health. Probiotics have been shown to reduce diarrhea, vomiting, and gas; they have also been shown to reduce litter box odors.

Immune System Health

Your cat’s immunity to illnesses and diseases is linked to their digestive health. Improving the balance of bacteria in their digestive tract can thus help your cat more easily fight off illnesses and enjoy a long, happy life.

Heart Health

Probiotics have been shown to reduce levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, which can help reduce the strain on your feline friend’s heart.

Allergic Reaction Reduction

For reasons that are currently unclear, scientists have noticed a correlation between the addition of probiotics and a decrease in skin and food allergies in cats. Adding probiotics could thus make your cat’s life a little easier for both of you.

Antibiotic Recovery

Although antibiotics can help your cat recover from an illness, antibiotics can also upset the delicate balance of bacteria in your cat’s digestive tract. Adding probiotics to your cat’s diet can help get their digestive health back on the right track.

Best Strains of Probiotic Bacteria for Cats

Although probiotics can contain more than 10 different strains of bacteria, there are two important ones that any good cat probiotic will contain: bifidobacterium bifidum and enterococcus. The former resides in the small intestine and is important for your cat’s digestion; the latter is found in your cat’s large intestine and is responsible for the formation of healthy feces. Be sure to double-check that any probiotic you give your cat has these strains to achieve the full potential of probiotics.

How to Add Probiotics to Your Cat’s Diet

Before adding probiotics to your cat’s diet, consult with your veterinarian. Once they approve of your plan to add probiotics to your cat’s diet, ensure that you follow the directions on your selected probiotic carefully. Finally, watch out for any side effects. Some probiotics can induce diarrhea, which may require you to reach out to your vet.

Do Cats Need Their Own Probiotics?

Many probiotics are designed specifically for dogs or humans. However, dogs, humans, and cats have major differences in their digestive tracts, and cat probiotics are specifically designed to account for cats’ unique anatomies. While it may not be harmful to use a dog or human probiotic, your best bet is to go with a cat probiotic for your feline friend.

Types of Probiotic Supplements

Most cat probiotics come in the form of flavorless, odorless powder, making them easy to sneak into your cat’s food. Powder is also ideal because it is long-lasting and contains many live cultures in each scoop. Some cat probiotics come in chew or pill form, which can be easier for certain cats to ingest.

What to Look For in a Probiotic Supplement for Cats

Read the ingredient label carefully before purchasing to ensure that there are no allergens or artificial colors or flavors in your cat’s probiotic supplement. Additionally, ensure that your desired probiotic contains the strains of “good” bacteria you want to give your cat.

Possible Risks and Side Effects of Probiotics in Cats

Very few side effects of probiotics have been noted in cats. Diarrhea is a common side effect that may occur while your cat adjusts to their new probiotics. Because the probiotic industry is not well regulated, ensure that your probiotics are coming from a reputable company with good manufacturing practices.

Are Cat Probiotics Worth the Expense?

Fortunately, cat probiotics are not very expensive. Although some people don’t notice any changes in their cat, others see marked improvements. Consider speaking to your vet to see if probiotics are right for your cat; if they’re not, don’t forget to wean your cat off of them slowly.

Final Thoughts

Probiotics can have positive effects on your cat’s overall health. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if adding probiotics to your cat’s diet is the right choice for you.

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