What exactly are probiotics and why does my cat need them, you may be asking? Well, according to veterinarian Annette Louviere, “Probiotics are live microorganisms, often referred to as ‘good bacteria,’ who aid in bodily functions ranging from digestion to immune health and can even influence mood.” When the immune system senses these microbes in the gut, it launches a response. As for the latter question, Louviere notes, “Including probiotics in a cat’s diet can help add to the number of friendly microorganisms in their gut, of which there are trillions, ideally preventing an imbalance of good vs bad bacteria from occurring.”
When it comes to using probiotics, it’s best to take a preventative approach. “While there are different kinds of probiotics which can be used for certain situations, generally speaking they promote a balanced gut environment, so it’s best to be proactive with probiotics,” says Louviere. Not only do probiotics keep your cat’s gut microorganisms balanced, they also aid your cat’s digestion, energy, and metabolism, as well as boost their natural immune defenses. That’s why it’s so important to take your cat’s microflora into consideration while they’re healthy.
Before you crack open the kitty kombuchaopens in a new tab (not kidding), check out this list of the best cat probiotics to supplement your pet’s diet.
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
Honest Kitchen’s human-grade formula is the perfect liquid treat for pets and their parents seeking greener pastures. Made from dehydrated goat’s milk, it’s easy to add to any meal or as a course of its own. Produced by free-range goats, it contains no by-products, preservatives or GMO ingredients. Plus, it’s made right here in the USA, so you can feel good about reducing your carbon pawprint.
These high-fiber digestive supplements use a formula of pumpkin, flax seeds, and coconut to promote bowel regularity and strong gut health. Its cruelty-free and vegan ingredients are rich in prebiotic fibers that are ideal for pets that suffer from stomach issues like IBS. However, all cats can benefit from supplements that aid their longevity and taking preventative measures to protect your pet’s health could make all the difference down the line.
As all cat owners know, it’s not always easy to get your cat to try new things. Whether that’s a new cat tree, brand of food, or even the crème de la crème of cat treats — and supplementing their diet is no different. That’s where these soft chews come in. The duck-flavored probiotic supplements will give your cat that extra boost to their health in increased times of stress such as boarding, travel, and new changes to the environment. By helping normalize digestive functions to reduce gassiness, diarrhea, and constipation, these chews are the perfect baseline support for your cat’s daily life.
This probiotic formula has it all: prebiotics, 12 strains of good bacteria, and 5 billion Colony Forming Units (CFUs) per scoop. CFUs are the number of active microorganisms in one serving of a probiotic dietary supplement, so you can rest assured that your cat is getting all of the good stuff and none of the bad bacteria that get stored in our guts.
Dr. Bill’s digestive support formula features tried and true ingredients like ginger root, lemon balm, and psyllium husk, all of which help pets absorb essential nutrients. Its dry powdered formula is perfect for cats of all ages and uses pre and probiotics to help re-establish a healthy intestinal tract.
Nom Nom is the coolest new brand on the market for pets and their parents, and they’ve developed a killer full-spectrum probiotic formula for cats. They know that your cat’s microbiome has a huge say in their overall wellness and weight management, which is why their veterinary nutrition and microbiology team developed a formula with tons of prebiotic fiber to benefit bacteria development. It’s straightforward with limited ingredients because we all just want the best for our cats.
Avery is a writer and producer. She has written for numerous publications, including Refinery29, BuzzFeed, and V Magazine. When she’s not at her computer, you can find her reading, practicing her Greek on Duolingo, and delving into the Sex and the City discourse. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and their cat, Chicken, who rules with an iron fist.
