The Best Probiotics for Cats ( Vet Approved Review)

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Scott Jeffrey
Scott Jeffrey

Author: Scott Jeffrey

Scott is a professional blogger with 12+ years of experience in writing, and holds an MA in anthropology. He has two cats as housemates. Also, Scott is passionate to research on pet-related topics such as dog training, puppy feeding, and cat health.

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Reviewed by:

Dr. Sara Ochoa
Dr. Sara Ochoa

Veterinary review
by Dr. Sara Ochoa

Dr. Sara Redding Ochoa is a veterinarian with many years of experience and higher education. During her time in veterinary school she was able to learn form some of the most well-known veterinarians from all over the world. Sara lives happily with her husband Greg and her babies Ruby the schnoodle, and Bam-Bam her bunny. Dr. Sara Redding Ochoa has a passion and love for animals that makes her a wonderful asset to our team.

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Updated on: 06/15/2023

Using supplements for your cat’s diet and ensuring they access probiotics can ensure that your cat has a balanced digestive tract and an array of good bacteria throughout its system. Utilizing probiotics can make sure that health can be improved significantly. It could help to reduce the instances of diarrhea, gastrointestinal difficulty, kidney disease, vomiting, and more. Whether your cat has become a senior or noticing loose stools in a younger cat, introducing probiotics can be an excellent way to reduce digestion problems and make sure that they can enjoy a better quality of life with more energy.

best probiotics for catsImage from Freepik

Our TOP-3 Picks of Probiotics for Cats

Products

Benefits

Links

Our #1 Rated

doggone best cat probiotics

1. Doggone Best Cat Probiotics

The product is suitable for cats over the age of eight months, and it contains 8 ounces in every container. The measuring scoop is also included in this product to ensure you get an accurate dose of the powder to add to food.


The best part about using this product is that even some of the most challenging cats will have no problem ingesting the supplement because it doesn't have any filters or flavoring.

Our #2 Rated

premo probiotic for cats

 2. Premo Probiotic for Cats

This product's goal is to alleviate conditions like gas, vomiting, diarrhea, skin conditions, and more.

This is one of the highest potency doses of probiotics that's available from a feline format and every serving can contain up to 2 billion CF.

Our #3 Rated

ark naturals gentle digest

3. Ark Naturals Gentle Digest

The product is also free of corn, wheat, soy and other artificial coloring and preservatives. With an impressive cost, this is one of the most affordable options for probiotic chews. If you are looking for a treat option, this serves as a fantastic option.

*Ratings are formed by the Author of the article and based on own research and customer reviews.

The Best Probiotics for Cats (All Reviews)

In this article, we will detail the most popular probiotics for cats on the market. Many of these products come from natural sources and are recommended. Any of the products that we list in this article are the types that we would give to our animals.

1. Doggone Best Cat Probiotics

doggone best cat probiotics
Our #1 Rated

Key features:

  • Made in the USA.
  • A completely odorless and tasteless powder formula.
  • Comes with a money-back guarantee of 60 days.

This product remains at the top of the list. It’s formulated from a blend of three different probiotic strains, and it’s free of any added fillers. So what you are getting for the price is a formula that does not contain any fillers like soy, wheat, or artificial flavoring. There’s also a guarantee of up to 1 billion CF use in every serving. The cost is around $25 for excellent quality craftsmanship that’s associated with the brand.

2. Premo Probiotic for Cats

premo probiotic for cats
Our #2 Rated

Key features:

  • Free of GMOs.
  • Free of Wheat.
  • Made in the USA.

This type is an excellent product for the feline system because it’s also available in a tasteless formula.

This product has been third-party tested for its quality. It has been proven effective by a third-party lab for its potency. What makes this formula so powerful is that it blends sick strains of concentrated probiotics and creates a specifically designed formula.

The significant advantage of this tasteless and odorless formula is that most pets don’t have any problems eating it. The manufacturer also included a handy scoop that makes dosing easy. It’s a little more expensive than some other options on the list, but it can be a top-quality product, especially its high dosage.

3. Ark Naturals Gentle Digest

Key features:

  • NASC Quality.
  • Made in the USA.
  • Contains 120 doses.

The Ark natural gentle digest is an easy and delicious way to administer daily probiotics to your pet. If your pet has had a problem with the flavorless formulas added into their food, this is a product that tastes like treats and comes with a liver flavor that cats crave. This type is available for all breeds, and it can help to supplement the growth of beneficial bacteria while improving immune system functions.

The other supplement included with this product is an inulin fiber that helps improve gut bacteria.

4. Purina Pro Plan Fortiflora Probiotic Supplement

Key features:

  • No need to refrigerate.
  • Contains premade packets for a perfect dose.
  • Comes in bulk packs if needed.

As one of the top brands that veterinarians prescribe, Purina delivers an immediate product that you can sprinkle over food once a day to provide 100 million CF use of Enterococcus facium. The product uses a microencapsulation process that improves stability and immune health.

This is a straightforward product to administer, and it is perfect for cats that are picky eaters. The powder is virtually tasteless, and it’s pretty inexpensive to acquire. If you have a pet that you had no luck administering probiotics via chews, you should consider the powder route instead.

This is a great Probiotic to give to cats. I find that a lot of my feline patients really love this one and will eat it if mixed into some wet cat food without a problem.

Dr. Sara Ochoa

5. Drs. Foster and Smith Probiotic Soft Chews for Cats

Key features:

  • Wheat- free formula.
  • Cheese and chicken flavor.
  • 90 Soft chews included.

These Soft shoes are designed to support the overall digestive health of your pet. The product contains six types of naturally occurring microorganisms and a prebiotic fiber that can support intestinal bacteria growth.

The soft shoes and a pack of 90 come with minimal flavoring that’s veterinarian-approved. This product aims to present your cat with a special treat daily that has a soft shoe and probiotic dose inside.

This would be a great probiotic chew for your cat. Most cats would rather their probiotics be in the form of a tasty treat.

Dr. Sara Ochoa

6. Pure Paw Nutrition Probiotics for Dogs and Cats

Key features:

  • This product contains 461 g of quality in each container.
  • Flavored with real beef liver for fussy eaters.
  • Works for cats and dogs.

The nice part about this versatile probiotic powder is that it is for cats and dogs. It can be easily added to your pet food, and it can improve bad breath, constipation, inflamed bowels, vomiting, gas, and more. The large dosage can also be beneficial for adding new value to the life of your pet.

The larger container will help make sure that cats can have access to ongoing doses for a longer time. So if you are looking to enjoy the best one in bulk, this is an excellent choice to make sure that your pets can receive the powder doses they need for quality results.

7. Pet Ultimates Probiotics for Cats

Key features:

  • Made in the USA.
  • No need to refrigerate.
  • 44 g in each container.

This probiotic powder is designed for cats, and it offers a concentrated blend of probiotics that are designed for the feline system. As one of the top options, the dosage here guarantees at least 5 billion CFUS per dose.

With only 44 grams per package, this small formula can genuinely pack a punch. There are 20 different species included here, and the formula maximizes the probiotic bacteria in each serving.

8. Bene-Bac Plus Probiotic Pet Gel

Key features:

  • 15 g in each tube.
  • 20 million CFU’s in each gram dosage.
  • Multipack syringe size.

This is an alternative to using powders or treats. This gel formula is delivered in a probiotic gel syringe. The fat-encapsulated probiotics can be found in every dose. This is a suitable product for pets from 8 weeks onward.

The product can simply be squeezed into food or directly onto the tongue. In addition, the microorganisms can come out of the fat and be digested by your cat to improve their digestive health.

I use this probiotic for cats and other small mammals. This is a paste that I find cats usually do not mind eating.

Dr. Sara Ochoa

9. Dr. Bill’s Feline Digestive Support

Key features:

  • 60 g in each container.
  • NASC quality seal.
  • Made in the USA.

Veterinarians formulate this probiotic powder. It is designed with a blend as well as prebiotics which can be designed to improve feline digestion.

The formula has been appropriately fabricated to contain a series of digestive enzymes. As a result, the product can be easily added to food or introduced into your pet’s diet.

10. Vetoquinol Pro-Pectalin Anti-Diarrhea Tablets Dog & Cat Supplement

Key features:

  • 250 tablets in each bottle.
  • Liver flavored.
  • NASC Quality seal.

This is a capsule chew product that contains a blend of probiotics as well as pectin, Enterococcus faecium, and kaolin to improve digestion while firming stool. The package contains 250 tablets and the dosage info along the side.

Regular dosage on the product will help to the firm stool while supporting digestion. The product also contains flavoring to ensure that any fussy eater will be able to enjoy it.

This is a great probiotic to use for cats with diarrhea. It contains kaolin and pectin which are two great ingredients found in many anti-diarrhea medications.

Dr. Sara Ochoa

Buying Guide – What Should You Know

buying guide on best probiotics for catsImage by Scott Payne from Pixabay

Understanding what you should be looking for is essential. These products will help with various issues, ranging from constipation to IBD and quality of life. One of the most critical features that you should be looking for in any type is that it’s made with safe ingredients.

Here are some of the main qualities of an excellent product for cats that you can look for:

Type

Probiotics will come in many forms, including powders, pills, infused treats, gels, and more. If you find difficulty getting your cat swallowing capsules, you may want to consider the treatment option or a dosage option that will allow you to hide it in your cat’s food.

The strain

The overall strain of probiotics can also be critical. The strain of the supplement will be a recommended formula dedicated to your cat’s digestive system. Certain strains of supplements are designed for humans, and some pertain to ides and some for feline digestive systems. Strains from the Enterococcus family and the bifidobacterium family are often the best for feline digestive systems as they have the diversity that’s important to manage a cat’s digestive tract well.

CFU

A CFU or colony-forming unit and is often the measurement of potency in a probiotic supplement. Finding a supplement that has a minimum of 10 million CFU’s is often the best entry point. If you can find a supplement with CFU’s measuring in billions, this can often be a rarer and more beneficial product that you could be giving your cat.

The NASC quality seal

The national animal supplemental counsel is a nonprofit organization that will evaluate pet products for their quality and compliance. If you notice this seal on any type of probiotic, this is an excellent indication that the product comes from an exceptionally reputable company and is passed a series of independent quality audits.

Finding something within budget

Consider how much you’d be willing to spend. These products can vary in price based on their potency and based on the ingredients used to create the probiotic. Most products ranging in price from $10 up to $50 or more for the dosage. Finding something that’s going to work for your budget can be imperative if you plan on putting on probiotics over the long term. Remember that you could be responsible for purchasing at least once every few weeks to regularly integrate it into food or diet.

buying guide on probiotics for catsImage by @pikabum from Pixabay

No matter what type of probiotic that you are seeking for your cat, you should highly consider the option of trying out some of these top considerations on your list. Introducing probiotics into your cat’s diet can be a fantastic way to bolster their digestive health as they age. Whether your cat has a pre-existing condition or wants to protect its digestive health, you should consider one of these options as managing health in the future.

READ MORE: How can I tell if my cat is sick?

Important Features to Consider

Not all probiotics for cats are made the same. When looking for the most suitable one, you will want it easy to give them and made with safe all-natural ingredients. This is what you should look for when searching for the right one:

The form that the Probiotic comes in

The type or form that the probiotic is the most important thing to consider when picking out the right one.

Probiotics can come in many forms, such as gels, powders, pills, and infused treats. Most cats will not just swallow a capsule. Instead, you will have to try hiding the tablet inside a treat or open the capsule and sprinkle it on their food or mixed into their water. One of the most accessible forms is an infused treat. Most cats will quickly take a tasty treat from you.

The Strain

The next most important thing to consider when it comes to shopping for probiotics for cats is the strains in the supplement. While you probably will not hurt your cat by given them human probiotics, it is always great to provide them with a formula that has been made specifically for cats. The best strains for cats are from the Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus families.

When picking out a probiotic, you will want one that has a lot of diversity. This is just as important in your cat as it is for you.

The Colony Forming Units (CFU)

You want a probiotic with the highest CFU (colony forming units) that you can find. Make sure that it has a minimum of 10 million CFUs.

This is a great starting point to look for. But, then, if you can find a supplement with even more, that is even better. For example, some probiotics have CFUs in the billions.

Several kinds of beneficial bacteria live in the digestive tract of your cat. Some of the most common types of bacteria that are included in most probiotics for cats are:

  • Bifidobacterium: These are found mainly in the large intestines of your cat and can help improve overall intestinal health. This bacterium can treat inflammation in the lining of the intestines, which will help resolve your cat’s diarrhea very quickly. 
  • Enterococcus: This bacteria will help with digestion. It will also fight off bad bacteria that can commonly cause your cat to have diarrhea.
  • Lactobacillus: These bacteria will help improve the health of your cat’s GI tract. 
  • Streptococcus: This is an average GI bacterium that will help your intestines fight off the harmful pathogens that are causing your cat to have diarrhea. 

NASC quality seal

The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) is a nonprofit industry group that will evaluate all cat products for compliance with a strict quality system requirement. This seal will indicate that your probiotics come from a reputable company that has successfully passed an independent quality audit.

The Price

It would be great to consider how much you are willing to spend. Price from $10-$50 or more.
Sometimes the more you spend, the better quality and source, but this does not hold for all probiotics.

FAQ

Does your cat have diarrhea or any other GI problem? You can try many things to help stop these GI problems. Most of the time, the cause of these GI problems is caused by healthy gut bacteria getting disrupted. Probiotics are great at naturally returning the GI system to normal. The last thing that you want to do is have to clean up after your cat constantly.

If you are still considering if your cat needs probiotics, check our article, and not forget to ask your veterinarian!

When researching which one is the most suitable for your furry friend, there are many things to consider. This section will help what probiotics can be used in your cat and what you need to look for to make sure that you are purchasing the right one.

are probiotics good for cats constipationPhoto by Klara Kulikova on Unsplash

Who Should Buy Probiotics for Cat?

There are many wonderful benefits to giving probiotics. These are just a few of the great reasons that you should consider giving every day.

  • Helps with GI symptoms: Giving it is an excellent ideal if your cat is experiencing any symptoms of digestive upset, such as nausea, gas, vomiting, diarrhea, loose stools, and weight loss. If your cat has very smelly poops, probiotics would also be indicated and very helpful.
  • Seasonal Allergies: Most veterinarians recommend for cats who suffer from seasonal allergies or other skin conditions. Research shows that probiotics are very useful in the treatment of many GI conditions. 
  • For a well-balanced diet: they can also be used in addition to a balanced diet for even healthy cats. The probiotic will help to promote and maintain an overall healthy cat.

Always ask your vet before starting your cat on any probiotics or other supplements. This will make sure that your cat is getting the right products and at dosage for them.

What are Probiotics for Cats, and how do they work?

Probiotics contain microorganisms that live in digestive tract and improve the digestive and immune health. They work by balancing the good bacteria within your feline’s intestines to ensure that your pet stays healthy and happy. Like in people, probiotics in cats are believed to help treat or prevent different illnesses and diseases, such as allergies or IBS.

What are the benefits?

The benefits of probiotics for your cat are helping them maintain normal gut health, improving their immune health, and improving any digestive problems such as nausea, gas, vomiting, diarrhea, loose stools, and weight loss. These products can also help relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies and other skin conditions. Probiotics are also great for kitties who have an infection, have just gone through surgery, or have recently given birth.

How long will it take for Probiotics to start to work?

Some pet owners may see a slight improvement in their cat’s health with only a couple of days of use. However, most owners can expect to see probiotics to take at least a couple of weeks to start working in their cats. Like in people, it will take time for the good bacteria to build up in your cat’s intestines and balance themselves out in your cat.

What is the correct dosage?

When it comes to the right dosage, there are no specific recommendations. You will try to find the probiotic with the highest CFU. Since diversity is essential when it comes to gut flora, you want to make sure that you use a product with many strains of probiotics and not just one type of bacteria. Usually, strains from the Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus families tend to work the best for cats. It is the great to follow the package directions for dosing your cat or ask your vet.Can I give human probiotics to my cat?

While human probiotics are safe to give to your pet, cats have a very different gut flora than humans and dogs. This means that it is important to feed your cat a probiotic that has been specially formulated.

Are probiotics good for cats with constipation?

Probiotics are great to use for cats with constipation or diarrhea. Usually, it will help return intestinal flora to normal. Many times, a disruption in flora will cause your cat to have diarrhea. Most products also have added fiber to help make intestines function better.

What can I give to my cat for constipation?

If your cat is constipated, you can give them a small dosage of MiraLAX. This will help bring water into the colon and make it easier for them to poop. Adding about 1/4th a teaspoon of MiraLAX to your adult cat’s food will help keep them regulated once a day. Some pets only need this for a short time, where some cats benefit from this added supplement to their food every day.

Final thoughts

Intestinal problems in your cats are not fun for your cat, or you have to clean up continually. Probiotics are a great thing to add to your diet to help keep your stool healthy. It has many other helpful functions, such as boosting immunity, helping with allergies, and even preventing GI problems. By adding to a daily diet, you can stop many problems before starting. When looking for a great option, remember to look at some of these mentioned here.

READ MORE: Kittens & Constipation