A Pet Parent's Guide to Probiotics for Cats

The essential bacteria in your cat's intestinal tract can become disrupted and lead to uncomfortable gastrointestinal issues. Probiotics may help to correct this gut issue. Today, our Cordova vets discuss managing your kitty's gut health and what the best probiotics are for cats.

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 notice that your cat is frequently experiencing digestive upset or anxiety-related symptoms then it is possible that they are overloaded by unhealthy gut bacteria. There is an entire system of bacteria growing in your cat's stomach which, when kept at a healthy balance can allow your kitty to live comfortably.  But when the bad bacteria begin to outweigh the good bacteria, it can cause havoc on their digestive system and entire well-being.

How and when might probiotics be helpful for improving your kitty's gut health?

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.

Along with the effect on your cat's digestion, these bad bacteria can also cause trouble with your cat's weight, hormones, mood, immunity and increase their risk of infections. Some of the areas that probiotics can help include:

• 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 then they could use the immune-boosting benefits of probiotics.
• 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 common types of probiotics are lactic acid based such as:

• 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 the colon of your cat, whereas Bifidobacterium can be found in the small intestine. Enterococcus has a focus 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 are the best probiotics for cats?

When it comes to adding probiotics to your feline friend's diet it is always wise to speak to your veterinarian beforehand. Your vet will be able to investigate any symptoms your kitty may be having, in order to rule out any serious underlying health concerns, and recommend the best probiotics based on your cat's health.

When it comes to choosing a probiotic for your cat, you might want to strictly focus on the delivery method. Probiotics are able to be found in a variety of options – from powders, capsules, chews, or formulated into food. The important thing about choosing probiotics for cats is that you choose one that contains the right combination for your cat's needs.

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

Are there any cat probiotic side effects?

While the most notable side effect would be flatulence, our vets in Cordova 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.