Yes — but only probiotics that are specifically formulated for cats. Human probiotic supplements should not be given to cats unless your veterinarian specifically advises it. Cats have different digestive systems and bacterial needs than humans, which is why pet-specific probiotic formulas are recommended.
Veterinarians sometimes recommend feline probiotics to help support digestive health by promoting a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. They may be useful during digestive upset, after antibiotic treatment, during stressful events such as travel or boarding, or when transitioning to a new food.
Probiotics for cats are available in several forms, including powders, capsules, treats, and gel pastes that can be mixed with food or given directly.
Below are several examples of probiotic supplements for cats and the different forms they come in.
Cat Probiotics in Powder Form
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements FortiFlora Probiotic for Cats
A veterinarian-recommended probiotic powder that helps support digestive health in cats and kittens. FortiFlora promotes healthy intestinal balance and can be especially helpful during episodes of diarrhea or digestive upset. Easy to sprinkle over food for simple daily use.
This is the most common form of cat probiotics vets recommend. You will have to sprinkle the powder on your cat’s meal in the instructed amount. That way, your cat will ingest probiotics in small amounts every time he eats. Ethan from Catlovesbest says, “This method works for even finicky cats as these powder supplements come in different flavors. Powder probiotic supplements also have other essential nutrients required so that you won’t have to buy separate nutritional supplements.”
Giving Probiotic Pills to Your Cat
Nutramax Proviable Probiotics & Prebiotics Digestive Health Supplement
Made with real deboned chicken and chicken meal for high-quality protein. This formula avoids any chicken by-product meals, and skips corn, wheat, and soy.
Let’s face it, we all have had hard times persuading cats to swallow medicines. You will have to conceal the probiotic tab in a treat and trick your cat. A treat will mask the peculiar flavor of the pill and also your cat will likely eat the entire thing because it’s, anyway, his favorite tret.
If not the treat, you can also use food, for instance, baked or boiled chicken to hide the pill. The size of it is the same as a normal human vitamin pill and can easily be swallowed concealed in a piece of food.
You can also let your feline swallow the pill directly without using food or treats. Take the kitty in your lap and gently pry open his mouth and slide it in. Wait for your cat to ingest it and keep his mouth closed until then. Once you see he has swallowed the pill, you can release him.
Most importantly, do not encourage to swallow it if your cat protests and respond aggressively. This will make everything worse and may also invite behavioral issues.
Cats are notorious and may spill out the pill as soon as you release them. Check their mouth after they swallow the pill to make sure it has gone down. Cats hold unwanted tablets in their mouth and spit out upon release. Pry open their mouth and look inside and wait for some moments to be sure that he has swallowed it.
Cat Probiotic Treats
VetClassics Protegrity EZ Probiotic & Enzyme Soft Chews
This daily probiotic supplement helps support healthy digestion and normal stool quality in cats. It combines beneficial probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes to promote balanced gut bacteria and improved nutrient absorption. Formulated by veterinarians and made in the USA.
You can find cat probiotic treats in your nearby pet store or on Amazon easily. The benefit of this method is your cat won’t protest having these treats and there’s no coercing required. Consult with your vet before choosing probiotic treats as you might use them excessively and feed more calories than required.
Cat Probiotic Paste
PetAg Bene-Bac Plus Probiotic Gel
Bene-Bac Plus is a probiotic gel that supports digestive health in cats, dogs, and other small mammals. It contains beneficial bacteria and prebiotics that help maintain healthy gut balance during stress, diet changes, antibiotic use, or other disruptions. The easy-to-administer gel provides concentrated digestive support when pets need it most.
This method includes feeding cat probiotic paste using a syringe. Fill the syringe and feed a small amount at a time. Wait for your cat to gulp it down and repeat the procedure until the syringe is empty. Also, make sure that you don’t overfill the syringe than the prescribed amount.
If nothing works, you can consult your vet and ask for the solution. The veterinarian will be able to coerce your cat to ingest probiotics. This way your cat won’t associate negative feelings with you and the task would be done easily.
Does Your Cat Need Probiotics?
You should start looking for probiotics if and when your cat often has diarrhea and/or other digestive issues. Diarrhea is an initial indication of many major GI problems, so giving probiotics may prevent future health problems. Be sure to talk it over with your vet, too, of course.
Frequent diarrhea can make your pet uneasy and taking probiotics can fix the balance of good and bad bacteria in the small intestine thereby tackling the problem. Nevertheless, it is important to note that probiotics will change the bacterial environment in intestines and cats may also get diarrhea due to that. But this should stop after a few days once your cat adjusts to probiotics.
If diarrhea doesn’t stop even after taking probiotics, you should consult your vet as soon as possible to start treatment from that point.
Another instance when you should think of giving your cat probiotics is if your cat gets sick often. Falling sick frequently is directly associated with poor gut health and immunity. Whereas, better gut health boosts better absorption of essential nutrients from the food and ultimately improves immune power.
The End Note
Probiotics are more like a preventive measure rather than curing symptoms. You should continue giving probiotics on a daily basis if your cat has benefited from it. While kittens do not need probiotics if they do not have any digestive issues, probiotics can save your adult or senior cats from future possible digestive disorders and diseases. I hope the information in this article helps you and your feline furball!
