The 20 Best Probiotics For Cats
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The best probiotics for cats are packed with living bacteria, focus on beneficial strains, and adhere to stringent quality standards.
Because it’s a human-grade probiotic backed by the latest research, we recommend Nom Nom’s full-spectrum probiotic as the best probiotic for cats. But there’s no single probiotic supplement that’s right for every cat or every budget.
We’ve sifted through the world of probiotic supplements for pets and found 20 of the best probiotics you can give your cat.
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At a Glance: Best Probiotics for Cats To Buy
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Probiotics For Cats
|
Best For Cats Who’ve Lost Their Appetite
2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Probiotic Gastrointestinal Support Cat Supplement |
Best Timed-Release Probiotic
3. PRO-Pets Probiotics for Dogs and Cats |
Best For Allergies
4. Jarrow Formulas Pet Dophilus Powder for Dogs & Cats |
Best For People On A Budget
5. NOW Supplements, 8 Billion Acidophilus & Bifidus 120 Veg Capsules |
Best For Diarrhea
6. NOW Supplements, Saccharomyces Boulardii,Probiotic 5 Billion CFU, 60 Veg Capsules |
Best For Daily Maintenance
9. Nusentia Probiotic Miracle Premium Blend Dog & Cat Supplement |
Best For Sick Cats
10. Tomlyn Pre & Probiotic Water Soluble Powder Cat Supplement |
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Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Capsule |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
Supplement Type
Probiotic |
|
Flavor
No Added Flavor |
Flavor
Animal Digest |
Flavor
Animal Digest |
Flavor
Animal Digest |
Flavor
None |
Flavor
None |
Flavor
None |
Flavor
Animal Digest |
Flavor
Animal Digest |
Flavor
Animal Digest |
|
Key Benefit
A concentrated, well-researched probiotic supplement |
Key Benefit
An extremely palatable probiotic supplement |
Key Benefit
A timed-release probiotic designed for better survivability |
Key Benefit
A trusted probiotic that receives positive customer reviews |
Key Benefit
A human-quality probiotic with generous doses of trusted strains |
Key Benefit
An effective solution for cats with diarrhea |
Key Benefit
An extremely diverse supplement containing 14 strains of probiotic bacteria and yeast |
Key Benefit
An easy-to-administer gel ideal for sick cats and kittens |
Key Benefit
A well-respected probiotic supplement |
Key Benefit
A well-balanced probiotic that comes in packets |
|
Ideal For
Cats with digestive issues |
Ideal For
Seniors, sick cats, cats with digestive issues |
Ideal For
Support Your Pet’s Digestive Tract |
Ideal For
For cats and dogs to maintain a balanced intestinal microbial ecosystem |
Ideal For
For maintaining healthy intestine |
Ideal For
For maintaining healthy intestine |
Ideal For
Help support your pet's gastrointestinal health and wellbeing |
Ideal For
Relieves intestinal stress with lactic acid producing bacteria |
Ideal For
Help support proper digestive and bowel health |
Ideal For
Premium formula to support wellness for dogs and cats |
How Do You Choose The Best Probiotics For Cats?
Probiotics are microorganisms—residents of the microbiome—that are beneficial to the host. They’re usually bacteria. Some are yeast. They come in different species and strains and are developed from different sources. All of them confer benefits by supporting and fortifying the population of friendly microorganisms already existent in your cat’s body.
Indeed, the word “probiotic” is a combination of the Latin preposition pro, meaning “for”, and the Greek adjective βιωτικός (biōtikos), meaning “fit for life” or “lively”.
Probiotics promote life—at least in theory. In reality, the world of probiotics is just as sticky and troubled as that of any other supplement. Keeping a few factors in mind will help you to wade through the exploding probiotic market and find a product you can trust.
The Best Probiotics For Cats Are High-quality Products That You Can Trust.
Like most health supplements, probiotics are prone to overzealous marketing and inconsistent product quality.
Bacteria are often dead on arrival, meaning that the probiotics you get aren’t the probiotics the label promises. When Labdoor tested thirty-seven leading probiotic supplements, they found that about half the products contained amounts of viable bacteria that differed from their label claims by 50% or more.
Pet probiotics have even more problems. Pet probiotic producers can get away with inaccurate CFU counts, high percentages of dead bacteria, and worse. One study found that of twenty-five of the most popular pet probiotics, three of them claimed to contain bacterial species that didn’t even exist.
Because there’s so little understanding of which probiotics cats need and how what works best, there’s almost no standardization in the pet probiotic world. They don’t always mention viability on the label, contain a smorgasbord of bacteria that may or may not help cats, and make claims that aren’t backed up by any research.
While there’s no comprehensive database of cat probiotics to tell us which supplements are and aren’t top-notch, we can learn about the company’s background, find out how the products are formulated, and run customer reviews through the analyzer at FakeSpot.com. Additionally, look for companies that are on the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) list of preferred suppliers.
And of course, if you want to get a great probiotic with a history of reliability, don’t be afraid to give your cat a supplement made for people.
Are Human Probiotics Safe For Cats?
Almost 100% of the time, human probiotics are as safe for cats—or safer—than those marketed for pets. Most cat-oriented probiotics are based on human microbiome research anyway, so there’s little risk of human probiotics giving your cat the wrong species of bacteria. The only drawback is that human probiotics don’t contain the meaty flavor additives found in some cat-oriented probiotics.
Though Research On The Feline Microbiome Is Limited, We Do Know That A Few Bacteria Species Are Essential.
The best probiotics for cats include well-researched species of bacteria with known benefits for cats. Though other, less-known, species and strains may be beneficial, only a few have demonstrated positive effects in cats.
- Lactobacillus acidophilus: This probiotic organism has beneficial immunomodulatory effects, potentially helping cats with allergies and other inflammatory issues. It also helps to support a healthy balance of bacteria in the intestinal tract.
- Bifidobacterium animalis: Two strains of B. animalis have been studied extensively in both humans and animals, showing an ability to control diarrhea and improve gastrointestinal health.
- Enterococcus faecium: This bacteria has been shown to reduce diarrhea in cats.
- Saccharomyces Boulardii: This yeast has a well-documented history of benefits for people, cats, and other animals with diarrhea.
In General, The Best Probiotics For Cats Provide Between 1 Billion And 5 Billion Cfus (Colony Forming Units) Per Day.
CFUs or colony-forming units is a term referring to viable (living) cells. A higher CFU count translates to more living microorganisms going into your cat’s body.
As a general rule, probiotics for cats should deliver at least 1 billion CFUs. From there, it appears that healthy cats will get benefits from CFU counts ranging between one and five billion, while higher doses may help cats with serious health issues. High doses of certain species can help to prevent and treat antibiotic-related health issues, neurofitnessfoundation.org/amoxil-treat-infections/ IBD, and other problems.
Remember that the CFUs in the bottle aren’t the same as the ones that will eventually populate your cat’s gut. A good probiotic will thrive and multiply inside of your cat’s colon. Too many CFUs of too many different strains and species could be less effective than a single-strain, relatively low-CFU supplement. Not all bacteria play nicely together and dilution is a real concern.
Prebiotic Fiber Is Also Important.
Prebiotic fiber is a type of fiber that feeds friendly bacteria in the gut. Sources of prebiotic fiber include inulin, chicory root, and fructooligosaccharides (often abbreviated as FOS). You’ll find prebiotics in many commercially-available cat foods. They’re also added to many probiotic supplements.
When a probiotic supplement contains prebiotics in addition to fiber, it’s called a synbiotic—a synergized blend of bacteria and the food it needs to thrive.
Our Top Picks For The Best Probiotics For Cats
Overall Best
1.
Nom Nom Probiotic Support Full Spectrum Probiotic
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: No Added Flavor
- Key Benefit: A concentrated, well-researched probiotic supplement
- Ideal For: Cats with digestive issues
Pros
- Formulated by experts in veterinary nutrition and microbiology
- Contains four full-spectrum probiotic strains
- Made from human-grade ingredients and tested for safety
Cons
- Hasn’t gotten a lot of customer reviews
- One of the most expensive probiotics for cats
This probiotic supplement is formulated by the Nom Nom veterinary nutrition and microbiology team, which is involved in cat microbiome research.
Using the latest research as a guide, this probiotic features four of the best-known probiotics, each of which has benefits for cats. The probiotics are synergized with FOS, a prebiotic that enhances probiotic activity in the gut.
Nom Nom’s probiotic supplement is made from human-grade ingredients in FDA-registered facilities, then independently-tested for product integrity.
Best For Cats Who’ve Lost Their Appetite
2.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Probiotic Gastrointestinal Support Cat Supplement
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: Animal Digest
- Key Benefit: An extremely palatable probiotic supplement
- Ideal For: Seniors, sick cats, cats with digestive issues
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 43%
Crude Fat: 10%
Crude Fiber: 1%
Moisture: 5%
Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 45.26%
Fat: 10.53%
Fiber: 1.05%
Carbs: 43.16%
Pros
- One of the world’s best-trusted probiotic supplements
- Has a rich, intense flavor that cats love
- Many reviewers say that it helped to ease their cats’ digestive problems
- Uses one of the world’s best-researched probiotic bacteria strains
Cons
- Low CFU count makes this one of the weaker probiotics you can use
- Among the most expensive probiotics on the market
This supplement is relatively weak in terms of viable organisms—it has only 500 million CFU per serving and only one strain of bacteria—but it’s one of the most trusted supplements you can give your cat.
With its blend of vitamins, added taurine, and ultra-palatable flavor, the powder uses multiple tools to help cats feel their best.
It’s one of the top vet-recommended supplements and receives almost universally positive customer reviews.
Best Timed-Release Probiotic
3.
PRO-Pets Probiotics for Dogs and Cats
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: Animal Digest
- Key Benefit: A timed-release probiotic designed for better survivability
- Ideal For: Support Your Pet’s Digestive Tract
Pros
- Timed-release delivery helps to increase the probiotics’ survival rate
- Has a tasty beef flavor that cats seem to enjoy
- Receives positive customer reviews
- Uses some of the most well-researched bacteria strains
Cons
- Some cats refuse to eat the pills, even if they’re hidden in food
This probiotic contains five well-known bacteria strains and encases them in a tiny easy-to-swallow pearl-style capsule. The probiotic has a timed-release delivery system that releases the probiotics over 8-10 hours, ensuring that they bypass stomach acids and safely reach the colon. The tiny capsule has a beef flavor, making it palatable and easy to mix into your cat’s food.
Best For Allergies
4.
Jarrow Formulas Pet Dophilus Powder for Dogs & Cats
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: Animal Digest
- Key Benefit: A trusted probiotic that receives positive customer reviews
- Ideal For: For cats and dogs to maintain a balanced intestinal microbial ecosystem
Pros
- Contains five of the most trusted probiotic bacteria for cats
- Receives positive customer reviews
- Synergized with inulin and metabolin
- One of the most readily available and popular probiotic supplements you can buy
Cons
- May not have a high enough CFU count for some cats with inflammatory issues or digestive problems
This supplement comes from Jarrow, one of the best-respected names in the industry. Jarrow’s Pet Dophilus powder features five of the most trusted probiotic strains and is synergized with the prebiotic inulin. It also contains Metabolin®, a powder derived from the fermentation of beneficial bacteria. Metabolin® works synergistically with the probiotic bacteria.
Though it’s not the cheapest on the market, this probiotic is reasonably priced compared to other pet probiotics. It’s a good option for those who want to give their cat a solid pet-oriented probiotic supplement on a budget.
Best For People On A Budget
5.
NOW Supplements, 8 Billion Acidophilus & Bifidus 120 Veg Capsules
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Capsule
- Flavor: None
- Key Benefit: A human-quality probiotic with generous doses of trusted strains
- Ideal For: For maintaining healthy intestine
Pros
- Made for humans, which suggests higher quality control standards
- One of the most economical probiotic supplements you can buy
- Contains three strains known to help improve cats’ health
Cons
- Hasn’t received many reviews from people giving it to their cats
This human-grade probiotic contains a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium lactis, three types of bacteria that have demonstrated benefits for feline immune and digestive health.
For cats with allergies and other inflammatory issues, this is a good probiotic to consider. At $14.00 for 120 capsules, this is one of the most affordable probiotic supplements you can buy for your cat.
Best For Diarrhea
6.
NOW Supplements, Saccharomyces Boulardii,Probiotic 5 Billion CFU, 60 Veg Capsules
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: None
- Key Benefit: An effective solution for cats with diarrhea
- Ideal For: For maintaining healthy intestine
Pros
- One of the most well-researched probiotics
- Ideal for cats with diarrhea
- A human-grade probiotic
Cons
- Some people may prefer a more varied probiotic supplement
The probiotic yeast S. boulardii has a well-documented history of treating and preventing diarrhea in both humans and animals. It’s one of the world’s most-studied probiotics. Since 1982, hundreds of peer-reviewed articles have been published on this probiotic.
Whether your cat has inflammatory bowel disease, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, or diarrhea without a known cause, this yeast can help to bring your cat’s digestion back to normal.
This supplement isn’t marketed for cats. Instead, it’s a well-respected supplement intended for human use.
Best For IBD
7.
Dr. Mercola Complete Probiotics Dog & Cat Supplement
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: None
- Key Benefit: An extremely diverse supplement containing 14 strains of probiotic bacteria and yeast
- Ideal For: Help support your pet's gastrointestinal health and wellbeing
Pros
- A high-CFU probiotic that gives your cat a wide range of probiotic bacteria and yeast
- Easy to mix into your cat’s food
- Gets positive customer reviews
Cons
- Contains fourteen strains of probiotics, which may dilute the effect of individual strains
This probiotic supplement from Dr. Mercola is one of the most diverse products on the market. It contains fourteen strains of bacteria and probiotic yeast. It’s unclear whether such a varied probiotic is a good or a bad thing—some say that so many different strains will compete with one another and dilute your benefits.
That said, if you want to get as many probiotics into your cat as possible, you might want to try this supplement. It’s a top-rated supplement that receives almost universally positive reviews, with customers saying that it helped to relieve digestive problems, ease the effects of antibiotics, and more.
Best For Kittens
8.
PetAg Bene-Bac Plus FOS & Probiotics Gel Supplement
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: Animal Digest
- Key Benefit: An easy-to-administer gel ideal for sick cats and kittens
- Ideal For: Relieves intestinal stress with lactic acid producing bacteria
Pros
- Easy to administer to sick cats and kittens
- Contains several well-known, trusted probiotic strains
- One of the most well-respected products on the market
Cons
- Low CFU count
Especially for cats who are having trouble eating and won’t eat a supplement mixed into their food, it’s sometimes easier to administer probiotics with a syringe. Bene-Bac is a well-respected probiotic gel. Each gram of the gel contains 20 million CFUs of seven different probiotic species.
Best For Daily Maintenance
9.
Nusentia Probiotic Miracle Premium Blend Dog & Cat Supplement
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: Animal Digest
- Key Benefit: A well-respected probiotic supplement
- Ideal For: Help support proper digestive and bowel health
Pros
- Contains six types of beneficial bacteria
- Receives positive customer reviews
- Nusentia appears to be a trustworthy brand
Cons
- Doesn’t contain Enterococcus faecium bacteria
Six species of beneficial bacteria appear in this supplement, all of which are relatively well-regarded for veterinary use. Each scoop has 1 billion CFUs of bacteria and is guaranteed viable for up to one year after manufacture. The probiotics are synergized with inulin.
Customer reviews are almost universally positive.
Best For Sick Cats
10.
Tomlyn Pre & Probiotic Water Soluble Powder Cat Supplement
Product Info
- Supplement Type: Probiotic
- Flavor: Animal Digest
- Key Benefit: A well-balanced probiotic that comes in packets
- Ideal For: Premium formula to support wellness for dogs and cats
Pros
- Contains a variety of probiotic organisms with benefits for cats
- As a water-soluble probiotic, this powder dissolves well in water and is easy to inject with a syringe if needed
- Gets positive customer reviews
Cons
- One of the most expensive probiotic supplements you can buy
Because it’s marketed specifically for cats, contains E. faecium, and comes in packets, this probiotic is a popular alternative to Purina’s ever-popular FortiFlora probiotic. Unlike FortiFlora, this supplement contains prebiotics to help the probiotics do their job and has a higher CFU count.
This probiotic supplement from Tomlyn contains a mix of some of the best-known probiotics for cats. Each sachet offers at least 4 billion CFUs of beneficial bacteria.
Best For Picky Cats
11.
Probios Intelliflora Probiotic Cat Supplement, 30 count
Product Info
- Type: Powder in packets
- CFUs per Serving: 200 million
- Species: Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Casei
- Contains Prebiotics: Yes
- Key Strengths: A flavored cat-specific supplement that’s earned the NASC Quality Seal
Pros
- Has a chicken liver flavor to increase palatability
- Contains four well-respected probiotic strains
- Synergized with inulin
Cons
- Low CFU count
- Contains sugar
If your cat refuses to eat flavorless probiotic supplements, consider this probiotic from Probios. It’s made with cats in mind, featuring dried chicken liver as its first ingredient. Added flavor helps to make this supplement more appealing to sensitive cats. The supplement also contains sugar, which shouldn’t be a regular part of your cat’s diet.
Each sachet contains 200 million CFUs of four probiotic strains, all of which have benefits for cats. The probiotic has earned the NASC’s quality seal, which suggests that it’s one of the safer and more consistent products you can buy.
Best Probiotic With Vitamins
12.
VetOne Advita Probiotic Nutritional Cat Supplement, 30 count
Product Info
- Type: Powder in Packets
- CFUs per Serving: 200 million per gram
- Species: Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Bacillus Coagulans
- Contains Prebiotics: Yes
- Key Strengths: A flavored probiotic that contains four well-regarded strains
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 44%
Crude Fat: 12%
Crude Fiber: 1%
Moisture: 5%
Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 46.32%
Fat: 12.63%
Fiber: 1.05%
Carbs: 40%
Pros
- Contains supplemental vitamins and taurine for better health
- Contains poultry liver flavor for increased palatability
- Features four relatively well-known strains
Cons
- Low CFU count
Advita’s probiotic powder contains four probiotic strains, is synergized with inulin, and contains supplemental vitamins E and C plus taurine. The powder is flavored with dried poultry liver for increased palatability, making it a good option for cats who refuse to eat typical unflavored probiotic supplements.
Best For Sensitive Stomach
13.
DrFormulas Nexabiotic Probiotics for Cats
Product Info
- Type: Capsule
- CFUs per Serving: 17.25 billion
- Species: Contains 23 probiotics, including Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium animalis lactis, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Enterococcus faecium
- Contains Prebiotics: Yes
- Key Strengths: A trusted probiotic with a wide array of bacteria strains
Pros
- A well-respected supplement
- Contains some of the best-known probiotic bacteria for cats
- Receives positive customer reviews
- High CFU count at the time of manufacture
Cons
- Too many probiotics at once may dilute the effects of individual strains
Dr. Formulas’ Nexabiotic probiotic supplement is one of the top-rated probiotics in the human space, coming in 7th on Labdoor’s list of the best probiotics. Their feline-specific equivalent should be similarly high-quality.
It contains a staggering 23 different probiotic strains, which is good for those who want to expose their cat to a diverse variety of organisms. The company says that the supplement is clinically shown to reduce the duration of diarrhea, adding that it will also support regularity and digestive health in general.
You can give the capsules to your cat as pills or break them open to sprinkle over your cat’s food.
Best For Kidney Disease
14.
Vetoquinol Azodyl Kidney Health Supplement for Dogs & Cats
Product Info
- Type: Capsule
- CFUs per Serving: 15 billion per capsule
- Species: Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum
- Contains Prebiotics: Yes
- Key Strengths: Intended for cats with kidney disease
Pros
- Has earned the NASC quality seal
- Some people say that this supplement helped their cats feel better with kidney disease
Cons
- Very expensive
This probiotic supplement is geared towards cats with kidney failure. Friendly bacteria in the gut might help to remove toxins and bacteria from the gut and bloodstream, easing the burden on the kidneys.
It’s not clear whether or not Azodyl and other probiotics achieve this enteric dialysis effect, but it is clear that it won’t hurt. Probiotics can help cats with kidney disease feel better, so whether you choose something like Azodyl or another generic probiotic, these supplements are a good idea for CKD patients.
Best For Senior Cats
15.
PetUltimates Probiotics for Cats
Product Info
- Type: Powder
- CFUs per Serving: 5 billion
- Species: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei...
- Contains Prebiotics: Yes
- Key Strengths: A high-diversity probiotic for those who want to give their cat a wide array of strains
Pros
- Provides a wide variety of probiotic bacteria
- One of the most popular probiotic supplements on the market
- Synergized with prebiotic fiber
- Made in the United States in a GMP-certified facility
Cons
- Such a wide variety of bacteria may dilute the effect of individual strains
Here’s another high-variety probiotic that gives you twenty different species. Unlike some of the other probiotic supplements on this list, which combine a vast variety of probiotic species and a high CFU count, this supplement has a relatively low 5 billion CFUs per scoop. The label doesn’t tell you how much of each species you’re getting, but chances are that the numbers are relatively low. If you’re looking for a big punch from a single strain, this isn’t the product for you.
Nevertheless, this probiotic gets great customer reviews, with 76% of 1,711 Amazon reviewers giving it 5 out of 5 stars.
Best Organic Probiotic
16.
Fera Pet Organics Probiotics with Organic Prebiotics for Dogs & Cats, 72-g
Product Info
- Type: Powder
- CFUs per Serving: 5 billion
- Species: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus
- Contains Prebiotics: Yes
- Key Strengths: A USDA-certified organic probiotic supplement
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 0.04%
Crude Fat: 0.01%
Crude Fiber: 90%
Moisture: 9%
Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 0.04%
Fat: 0.01%
Fiber: 98.9%
Carbs: 1.04%
Pros
- Contains a variety of well-known probiotic strains
- USDA certified organic
- Synergized with the prebiotic FOS and inulin
- Receives positive customer reviews
- A moderately-priced product
Cons
- None
This USDA-certified organic probiotic supplement was formulated by a veterinarian and contains 12 strains of probiotic bacteria and yeast. In addition to being certified organic, the company is a member of the NASC and claims to be committed to keeping the highest quality standards.
Best For Multiple Pet Homes
17.
VetriScience Vetri-Mega Probiotic Digestive Health Dog & Cat Capsules
Product Info
- Type: Capsule
- CFUs per Serving: 2.5 billion
- Species: Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Brevis, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Longum, Enterococcus Thermophilus
- Contains Prebiotics: Yes
- Key Strengths: A multi-purpose probiotic that works as well for dogs as it does cats
Pros
- Each capsule contains 2.5 billion CFUs of 8 well-known probiotic strains
- One of the best-rated products on the market
- Synergized with prebiotic fiber
Cons
- Comes in large capsules
These probiotic capsules contain eight of the best-known, most thoroughly-researched strains of beneficial bacteria. The probiotics are synergized with FOS as a prebiotic. The capsules are relatively large, but you can break them open and sprinkle the powder into your cat’s food.
Best Vet-Recommended Probiotic
18.
Rx Vitamins Rx Biotic Probiotic Dogs & Cat Supplement
Product Info
- Type: Powder
- CFUs per Serving: 2 billion
- Species: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium Lactis
- Contains Prebiotics: Yes
- Key Strengths: A straightforward probiotic supplement approved by the NASC
Pros
- Veterinarian-formulated and approved by the NASC
- Contains prebiotics, which help the probiotic bacteria flourish
- Receives almost universally positive customer reviews
Cons
- Doesn’t contain Enterococcus faecium, one of the best-known probiotics for cats
This is a vet-formulated, vet-recommended probiotic supplement that’s been approved by the NASC. It contains four probiotic strains, all of which are relatively well-known and beneficial for cats. The probiotics are synergized with FOS, prebiotics that help beneficial bacteria flourish in the gut.
Best Probiotic With Digestive Enzymes
19.
Only Natural Pet Complete Gut Health Probiotic & Enzyme Digestive Powder Dog & Cat Supplement
Product Info
- Type: Powder
- CFUs per Serving: 1.92 billion
- Species: Aspergillus Oryzae, Bifidobacterium Longum, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium Animalis, Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Contains Prebiotics: Yes
- Key Strengths: A total digestive health blend of enzymes and probiotics
Pros
- Contains a variety of supplements for digestive health
- Made in an FDA-approved facility
- Uses well-known probiotic bacteria
Cons
- Some reviewers say that their cats refused to take this supplement
While their benefits are not as consistent or widely-accepted as probiotics, digestive enzymes may be able to support digestive health. This supplement contains a mix of both enzymes and probiotics, promising to keep your cat’s GI tract at its best. With a synergistic blend of four probiotic bacteria species, digestive enzymes, and prebiotics, this supplement is marketed as a total digestive health solution.
Best NASC-Approved Probiotic With Digestive Enzymes
20.
Wholistic Pet Organics Digest-All Plus Dog & Cat Supplement
Product Info
- Type: Powder
- CFUs per Serving: 5 billion
- Species: Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum
- Contains Prebiotics: Yes
- Key Strengths: A NASC-certified mix of probiotics and digestive enzymes
Pros
- Contains a mix of digestive enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics for digestive health
- Receives positive customer reviews
- Has earned the NASC quality seal
Cons
- Doesn’t contain Enterococcus faecium, one of the best-known beneficial bacteria species for cats
This supplement contains a mix of digestive enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics. Each serving delivers 5 billion CFUs of three probiotic species, along with protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, and other digestive enzymes.
Alyce
You mentioned that human probiotics are safe for cats when many vets will not recommend human probiotics, including my own vet. "Can cats take probiotics made for humans? “No, cats should take probiotics made for cats,” says Dr. Eldredge. “The intestinal flora varies with each species, so bacteria that are ideal for people may not help cats at all (may not hurt but may not help). Some people eat live culture yogurt to get healthy bacteria, but many cats don’t handle dairy products very well. You could make things worse.” Stick to probiotics formulated specifically for cats." "Can I Give my Cat Human Probiotics? While there are no current studies that point to the fact that giving cats a probiotic supplement designed for humans is dangerous, veterinarians still urge pet parents to opt for a product that is specially designed for cats. “The microflora in a cat's small and large intestine are different than for people, so we can't assume that human probiotics will work in cats,” say Deirdre Frey, VMD with Vet at Your Door, a Portland, Maine-based veterinary home-care practice." "Are Human Probiotics Safe for Cats? Many people have experienced the benefits of probiotics for themselves and want their cats to benefit, too. You can’t give the same probiotics you’re taking to your cat, however. “An over-the-counter supplement recommended for human use that a pet owner considers giving to their dog or cat would concern me,” says Dr. Cross. “I only recommend probiotics that have been shown to be safe for dogs and cats and have a positive health effect.”
Kate Barrington
Hey Alyce, we appreciate your comment and the time you've put into your research! We always recommend taking your vet's advice because they know your cat best. You're right that there isn't sufficient evidence suggesting that human probiotics are harmful for cats, but the main question is whether they are effective. We'll do some more research into this and update the article if we find new information!