11 Best Probiotics for Cats – Reviews & Analysis

The thing with getting a new pet is that you need to make sure that you are taking proper care of him or her. When it comes to the basic nutritional needs of your new cat, you have to be sensitive to what you feed it and how you do it. We scoured the internet for pro-tips and we have found out that those who love their feline buddies use nutritional supplements in the form of probiotics. We took into consideration the value and quality provided by some of the most popular products in this line and we reached the conclusion that Proviable DC for Cats and Dogs is the product to consider when looking for the best probiotics for cats. That’s because contains multiple strains of beneficial microorganisms which will improve the stability, viability and protection of your cat’s gastric system. You will be able to administer it easily since it comes as sprinkle capsules and it will work wonders in normalizing the intestinal function of your pet. If this product is not available, please consider Pet Ultimates Probiotics for Cats.

Top Probiotics for Cats – Guide & Comparison

After we looked through all of the reviews of probiotics for cats which we could find, we managed to select some of the critically acclaimed products and then we compiled a list of the most suitable choices out there which is showcased below. We are sure that you are going to find what you’re looking for among these following paragraphs.

1. Nutramax Laboratories Proviable DC

Proviable DC comes in a capsule form with 5 billion CFUs. It contains a multi-strain of viable, naturally-occurring probiotics. Proviable DC has two probiotics that encourage growth of active microorganisms and seven key species that work to restore intestinal micro-floral balance. It also contains ascorbic acid to help your pets fight infection.

Each capsule contains a uniform dosage for cats and dogs of all sizes. The capsule can be administered directly into the mouth of your pets. Alternatively, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the powder form on pet food. The digestive health supplement for cats and dogs is valuable for short-term and long-term digestive health support.

Be extra cautious of where you buy this product. Nutramax warned pet owners of fraudulent online sellers. The packaging itself states “sold only through veterinarians.” The products sold online are cheaply-priced but pet owners ended up paying more for vet bills once their pets got sick.

2. PetUltimates Probiotics for Cats

Pet Ultimates Probiotics for Cats boast a high number of live microorganisms, specifically 5 billion CFUs per scoop. More important, the colony-forming units are from  20 different species of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains which is a lot in comparison to most probiotics in this review. Daily dosage is only â…› scoop for cats.

The U.S. made product has a 100% satisfaction guarantee with a 90-day money back guarantee should your cat‘s stomach issues fail to improve in two weeks. It is also free of fillers, artificial flavors, soy, wheat, and sugar.

It also contains enzyme alpha galactosidase which helps in digestion of carbohydrates, complex sugars and fat that tend to accumulate in the gut. Present is also beta glucan, a soluble dietary fiber that helps improve your cat‘s immune system.

Satisfied customers noticed better bowel regulation, firmer stools, and no smelly poop. It also helped resolve vomiting, diarrhea, and shedding.

3. Purina Fortiflora Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Fortiflora

Purina Fortiflora feline probiotic supplement is beneficial for cats that have digestive and gastrointestinal issues. It is available in a box of 30 individual packets for one month’s use. The brown powder form contains 100 million live microorganisms in the form of Enterococcus faecium. This good bacteria should help cats with digestive and GI issues.

Satisfied customers noted improvements with cats that suffer from diarrhea, dark stools, and soft stools. It also helped picky cats and those with loss of appetite as the product is a palatable choice. The product is also enriched with iron, calcium, sodium. beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and taurine which is beneficial for cats that eat less meat.

Beware of imitation products sold online. Improper storage and transportation of the product can cause the live active cultures to die. Counterfeit products are yellowish or very light brown in color and can cause further stomach issues.

4. Hyperbiotics Pro – Pets

Pro-Pets Probiotic for dogs and cats is beef-flavored to encourage pets to try it out. The product is available in fairly-sized pearls. It can be swallowed or added to pet food, although some cats tend to avoid it when the pearl when it is mixed in their food. One pearl per day is the suggested dosage for dogs and cats up to 30lbs.

Each pearl contains 3 billion CFUs released in the feline’s body gradually over 8 to 10 hours. The time-release technology known as BIO-Tract helps avoid highly acidic gastric juices and increases the viability of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines.

Cat guardians to lactose-intolerant cats would be glad to know the product is dairy-free as the probiotics come from soy. The pearl tablets are also gluten-free, wheat-free, and yeast-free. Hyperbiotics pearls contain six strains of good bacteria. Some cats and dogs may need a different strain not included in this product.

5. Premo Probiotic for Cats – Premo Pet

Premo Pet provides relief for cats that suffer from hot spots, shedding, scratching, yeast infection, poor digestion, weight loss/gain, vomiting, gut inflammation, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and litter box smell. It also helps support feline immune system. Premo Probiotic for cats is manufactured in a US NPA-certified and approved GMP facility.

The live microorganisms are grown on dairy. To avoid choking, Premo Pet foregoes the use of pills and capsules and made powdered probiotics instead. The powder form makes for easy administration through water or food. Most cats don’t mind the taste.

It can be used for supplementation of cats over 6 weeks old. Take note that 1 scoop of this product is equal to 120 servings and contains 1 billion CFUs of multiple strains of important bacteria. For cats that suffer from toxin buildup, Premo Pet recommends starting off with a small dosage. It is best to consult your family vet.

6. FERA PET ORGANICS Probiotics

FERA Probiotics contains 5 billion CFUs per scoop from 11 different strains. These strains were hand-picked as the best dog and cat probiotics by the Fera Pet Organics CEO American vet Dr. Dulake. It also contains organic prebiotics including FOS, organic inulin from agave, and organic gum arabic.

Cats 5 to 15lbs require half a scoop of probiotics per day. Cats and dogs 15 to 60 lbs require 1 scoop of probiotic species to improve balance of microbial flora. Fera Probiotics also helps resolve bad breath, gassy issues, diarrhea, skin, and coat health. It also boosts metabolism and immunity.

The vegan probiotic is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and free of soy, corn, and wheat. The flavorless probiotic is tasteless to most cats and dogs. It is best given mixed with their food without altering its taste. Satisfied customers also noticed it does not have an unpleasant smell and even helped reduce odor in some pets’ poos.

7. Dr. Mercola Healthy Pets Complete Probiotics for Cats & Dogs

Complete Probiotics for Cats is by far the product with the most number of CFUs in this review. It boasts a whopping 38 billion CFU bacteria per scoop from 14 high-quality strains. Cats 2lbs above can be given ½ scoop of powder daily. Consult your vet before giving to pregnant cats.

Dr. Mercola also added more beneficial nutrients to add to your pet’s supplementation including the essential B vitamins and biotin which plays a pivotal role in skin, hair, and nail health. Complete Probiotics is also a good source of folic acid as it is common for cats to have folic acid deficiency. These ingredients promote a healthy intestinal tract.

Satisfied customers can attest to the benefits of the product on their cats’ bowel movements and even kitty litter odor. It proved beneficial for kittens, adult cats, and elderly cats. Some did note that the taste takes getting used to for some cats.

8. VetriScience Laboratories Vetri Mega Probiotic

Vetri Mega Probiotic canine and feline formula works to alleviate tummy troubles for our furry companions. This product is a good source of seven different probiotics including L Casei, L plantarum, L acidophilus, B bifidium, B longum, E thermophiles, and K brevis.

It also has 200mg fructooligosaccharides (FOS) per capsule to help improve the palatability of the product. FOS is also good for the immune system and fosters growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract.

Cat guardians found the capsule form inconvenient as the suggested dosage for cats is ½ capsule per day. It can be a challenge to safely store the rest of the powder for next day’s feeding. This is only beneficial if you have an even number of multiple cats.

Benefits to cats that used the product include less smelly and soft poos, resolved diarrhea, vomit, and food intolerance. The non-dairy product is also suitable for cats with lactose intolerance.

9. NutraVet Pro 20 Pet Probiotic

NutraVet Pro20 makes the most of 20 strains of live probiotics in liquid drops which are said to be absorbed by the intestinal tract unlike other forms that merely pass through the digestive system. One mL contains 5 million living CFUs. Adult cats can benefit from ½ a dropper once a day.

Pro2 Pet Probiotic for Dogs and Cats helps promote healthy digestion, gut health, and a strong immune system of cats and dogs. It also has FOS which acts as a food source for good bacteria once absorbed in the large intestine.

The liquid probiotic drops also improve the luster of your pet’s coat. If you have concerns over shedding and itching, this product is also said to be beneficial. One satisfied cat owner said it helped a senior cat with bouts of IBS. It also helped boost mood and appetite for another cat. Unsatisfied customers can get a 100% money back guaranteed.

10. NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotic

NaturVet combines the benefits of enzymes with a single strain of probiotics. It is a good source of protease to hydrolyze proteins, alpha-amylase to digest starch, and lipase to break down triglycerides.

The active probiotics, which include dried Bacillus coagulans, are beneficial for treating conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease in cats. Additionally, these probiotics are effective in managing diarrhea, a common issue in felines, especially when it’s caused by antibiotics. By introducing these beneficial bacteria into a cat‘s diet, you can address and prevent the underlying issues that often lead to gastrointestinal disturbances, including those that cause diarrhea in cats.

This enzyme plus probiotics powder can be given to cats and dogs 6 weeks and older. The recommended dosage is 1/4 teaspoon or 1 gram at every feeding until the stomach issues are resolved or as recommended by your veterinarian. This dosage contains 100 million CFUs and 4.1 kilocalories.

This product is intended for short-term or intermittent supplementation only. It is also wise to note that the product is vet-formulated and manufactured in a cGMP-compliant and FDA-audited facility. As with the other probiotic products for cats, beware of counterfeit Naturvet products being sold online.

11. Animal Essentials Plant Enzyme & Probiotics

If you are looking to supplement cats and dogs with a healthy mix of enzymes and probiotics, this product is worth a try. It contains 100 million CFUs from the bacillus coagulan strain. This product requires refrigeration to keep the good bacteria alive.

It leans more on enzymatic formulation with alpha and beta amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, hemicellulase, and bromelain. These enzymes are used as a digestive aid to reduce inflammation, swelling, sore and aching muscles, and pancreas disease.

The enzymes also help pets’ digestive tract break down complex starch, proteins, triglycerides, carbohydrates, and fats in their diet.

The ingredients are human grade, and tested for purity. It is also lactose-free and sugar-free. The powder form has a taste that some cats don’t like at first. Once they get used to it, the consistency and odor of their bowel movements can improve. Once customer noted cat box odor was significantly reduced in about a week.

Yearly Report & Guide

If you just heard about probiotic cat food, prebiotics and probiotics for cats, then allow us to properly inform you of the benefits, risks and overall effects of these products. Are you considering acquiring some probiotics for cats on antibiotics or wondering if there are human probiotics for cats to use as well? Read on below and find out.

Why should you use them?

Good probiotics for cats might not be such so easy to pick up if you don’t put in the work of finding out what they do and how to differentiate them. Anyone can find cheap probiotics for cats but are you sure that what you are getting is the right choice for your cat?

First of all, let us all agree that one of the key ingredients crucial for life is represented by a healthy digestive system. Perhaps you didn’t know that but the digestive tract houses some microorganisms that are beneficial to animals and it also contains a lot of the immune system cells.

So, if you will take care of your cat’s gut, your pet’s overall health will be taken care of as well. Probiotics are the key ingredient which you can introduce into your cat’s diet and overall improve the quality of life. That’s why you can find specialized products such as probiotics for cats with diarrhea, which will definitely come to you and your cat’s help.

How do probiotics work?

Once again, probiotics are represented by the good bacteria which will work tremendously with improving the digestion and boosting the immune system of your cat by defending him or her against the damaging effects of pathogenic bacteria which can also be found in the gut.

If dealt with accordingly, the probiotics manner will lead to a healthier, more meaning full and overall less prone to infections life for your dear little kitty.

Benefits

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to at least consider introducing a probiotic supplement to your kitten’s diet. Let us go through some of the main benefits which the right probiotic will introduce to your cat’s life.

Improve the health of the digestive tract

As we briefly mentioned before, your cat’s digestive system will be the main point of focus when we talk about the improvements brought along by the introduction of probiotics. These products will work wonders with dealing with vomiting, diarrhea, gas or sudden decreases in appetite.

When it comes to your pet’s digestive tract issues, you should know that they might appear as a result of a plethora of issues. Sicknesses similar to inflammatory bowel disease will cause shifts in the bacteria balance.

Taking care of the immune system

Usually, it is the other way around, the immune system takes care of the animal. However, just like with us, our cats’ immune system is closely linked to how well the digestive tract is doing. A healthy tract will produce plenty of digestive enzymes which, in turn, will perform their job of breaking down food and protecting the immune system of your cat.

In other words, by helping your cat to have balanced bacteria inside their belly, you will actually help them to fight off diseases which will lead to a happier, longer life.

Fight against allergies

This one hasn’t been completely proven yet, however, research has shown that after you introduce probiotics to your pet’s diet you will notice a sudden decrease in food and skin allergies. Don’t get us wrong, we are not saying that probiotics cure allergies, but they will help in improving your pet’s quality of life.

Take care of their hearts

A cat with a heart problem will definitely break yours as well if you don’t do something about it. In many cases when a cat has such a problem, the vet will more than likely put them on a low-fat diet. You can add probiotics to this diet because research has shown that this will act in reducing cholesterol levels, which will reduce the strain on your cat’s heart.

Check with your vet

When we are talking about cats we have to remember that they never take well to new things being brought on suddenly into their lives. That’s why, you will be best advised to first check with your veterinarian if it will be ok to start giving probiotics to your cat, of course, if he or she didn’t suggest it already.

Checking with a vet is crucial because they will always provide you with recommendations based on what your cat specifically needs. They will also give you a few pointers on how to introduce them to your pet’s system with almost no struggle at all.

Another huge benefit which you will draw from checking with your vet is that they will inform you about the potential side effects which your cat might be prone to when it comes to the introduction of probiotics in their diet.

Frequently asked questions about probiotics for pets

Can you give cats human probiotics?

It seems that probiotics can work wonders for cats, right? Finding out about this might lead to you wanting to share some of your human probiotics with your pet. We suggest that you don’t act through on this thought. For a cat to have her overall well being improved it is necessary to feed her the right probiotic. Then, it has to contain bacteria that will be healthy for the digestive tract. For us, the dominant bacteria group is Bifidobacteria, while for our cats is the Lactobacillus group. Mismatched probiotics will lead to a less balanced gut flora, which isn’t what we are looking for.

Can probiotics cause diarrhea in cats?

The thing with probiotics, and pay attention because it is important, is that they have the power to help with diarrhea but they can also cause it in your cat.

These products are filled with live microorganisms which will take over the gastrointestinal tract of your cat in order to help with calming and soothing a cranky bowel. However, there are some side effects which you can expect. In the adjustment phase of the probiotic diet, the good bacteria from the probiotic will tackle the evil type found in your cat’s gut. This will affect the balance of the gut, resulting in a few days of your cat developing diarrhea.

Are probiotics safe for cats?

Naturally, since we are talking about introducing something new in your cat’s diet, you might feel reserved to go ahead full-throttle. Over the last years, probiotics grew to be really popular for both humans and animals. If you manage to find the right type of probiotic meant for your cat, then it will definitely be the safe way of improving your pet’s digestive tract health.

This will mean that first of all you have to check with your vet to receive proper recommendations and how to use them. Then, you will have to really follow through on your vet’s advice and not just go for the cheapest solution. Last but not least, don’t give them the same probiotics which you are currently on because we don’t share the same bacteria groups with cats.

Can cats eat Greek yogurt for probiotics?

Yogurt might work as a good probiotic solution for us, humans, however, the majority of cats is lactose intolerant. When they are just kittens cats rely on their mother’s milk to survive. However, after they make their way to solid food, they will lose the capacity of producing the enzymes responsible for taking down lactose. Greek yogurt is low on lactose so feeding your cat some from time to time will not hurt. However, you should know that cats require a diet high in meat and low on everything else and just because Greek yogurt has low levels of lactose, it doesn’t mean that it will act as a good probiotic.

Best probiotics brands

Dr Mercola

If you are looking to help with your pet’s gastrointestinal health and overall wellbeing, then you must take a look at the Dr Mercola probiotic for dogs and cats. This product will come with a mix of the 10 most powerful probiotics, known as good bacteria which will improve digestion and the health of your cat’s immune system.

These helpful probiotics can be easily mixed with cat food during mealtime. Besides the aforementioned benefits, this product will work wonders in unlocking nutrients such as vitamin K and B from nutrients, improving energy levels. Even if your pet has a sensitive tummy, he or she won’t be affected by this product’s action.

Vetriscience

Vetriscience probiotic for cats is another helpful product which you can use to increase the general wellbeing status of your cat. It packs together 7 different microorganisms besides fructooligosaccharides, making this probiotic a great product meant for either cats or dogs, so ideal for homes with both types of pets. Its formulation is ideally designed to help with cats dealing with flatulence, diarrhea or other such signs of intolerance towards food.

Unlike other such products, Vetriscience delivers capsules which will make it easier for you to administer them to your cats. As soon as it is ingested by your kitty, the capsule will dissolve easily. You can also sprinkle the capsule’s contents over your pet’s food.

Purina Fortiflora

This product is specially made to improve the health of your cat. The thing with Purina Fortiflora is that it comes packing a unique strain of live probiotics at a guaranteed level. It will work wonders in helping with the intestinal balance and overall health. The people who used this brand stood witness as it assisted in promoting a fit immune system for their feline buddies.

If your cat is dealing with an imbalance concerning intestinal bacteria, then poor stool quality or other digestive upsets can become quite common. By using this brand’s product you can help with nutritionally managing these issues.