Best Probiotics for Cats (2024 Reviews)

Probiotic for Cats

When your pet is sick, it’s hard to feel well yourself! Our cats can’t always tell us what’s wrong, but when we see diarrhea in our cat’s litter box, one of the first things we can do is look for a cat probiotic.

With so many different cat medications on the internet, it can be really difficult to find the best choice for your pet. 

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To make sure you’ve got the best medicine to help your cat when he or she is sick, we’ve found the best cat probiotics for you. We’ll also have a guide underneath our suggestions that’ll help you learn all about the different cat probiotics and how you can choose the best one for your lovable pet!

6 Best Probiotics for Cats

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Probiotics Cat Supplement

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If you’re looking for the best fortiflora for cats, then the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements are the way to go! This probiotic powder is geared towards diarrhea specifically, and it’s a great choice for both kittens and adult cats. 

Fortiflora, according to a 2019 study done by Kynetec, is the number one recommended probiotic by veterinarians. It’s safe and will guarantee the best results compared to other types of probiotics.

This specific kit comes with 30 packets that are guaranteed to contain a high level of microorganisms and antioxidants that boost the immune health of your cat. The microorganisms are also protected while they’re being digested by your cat in order to arrive at the gut safely. 

Manufacturer Specs

  • 30 count box
  • Fortiflora probiotic
  • 15-month shelf life

What We Like

  • Great option for kittens or adults
  • For a 30 day supply, the price is very reasonable
  • Reputable brand
  • Best probiotics for diarrhea

What We Don’t Like

  • Some comments are claiming that they’re receiving a different kind of Purina fortiflora powder than what’s being shown
  • It seems like veterinarians are using a stronger fortiflora probiotic from Purina than what’s being sold here

Summary

If you’re looking for a great everyday probiotic for your cat, then this is an outstanding option. However, if you’re trying to treat chronic diarrhea, then it’s better to go straight to your vet and get a stronger version of this product.

PetUltimates Probiotics for Cats

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If you want to get the most bang for your buck, then PetUltimates Probiotics for Cats is the best way to go! With over five billion CFUs in every serving, this probiotic has the most bacteria in it (which is exactly what you want!).

Not only that, but there are twenty different strains of bacteria included, which creates a custom formula that’s tailored to cats specifically. They also produce this product in small quantities so that the bacteria are fresh by the time you get it. 

On top of that, you’re getting 120 servings. The jar includes a little scoop that makes it really easy to add on top of food without using too much or too little. Reviews said that this is one of the best probiotics for cats with IBD on the market, and the comments were full of happy cat pictures after using the product.

Manufacturer Specs

  • 120 servings
  • 20 different bacteria strains
  • 5 billion CFUs

What We Like

  • The CFU count is crazy high, which is perfect.
  • Reviews say that even picky cats don’t notice the probiotic

What We Don’t Like

  • It doesn’t list flavor ingredients, so we don’t know what it’s supposed to taste like

Summary

This is a great product to use if your cat is struggling with digestive issues. It’s incredibly cost-efficient, and it seems to work much better than some of the big brand names.

Natural Cat Probiotic Powder

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If you’re looking for an all-natural probiotic for your cat, then the Pre + Probiotic Powder for Cats is a great option. With no gluten, dairy, wheat, grain, sugar, soy, or salt, this is a great option if your cat has a sensitive stomach (which is a great reason to look into probiotics).

The catnip and chicory root is added to help your cat with anxiety, which can be another reason for digestive issues like diarrhea and vomiting. This product aims to eliminate those digestive problems from a couple of different angles, which gives it a great success rate.

The prebiotic, while acting as food for the probiotic as it makes its way to your cat’s gut, also helps your cat’s skin and fur! All-in-all, this is a great product for everyday use to boost the health of your kitty.

Manufacturer Specs

  • 120 servings
  • No gluten, dairy, wheat, or other artificial additives

What We Like

  • Treats digestive issues from multiple angles
  • Great for your cat’s coat
  • Tons of servings

What We Don’t Like

  • It does need to be administered twice a day, so that cuts servings into 60 days worth

Summary

This is a great all-around product that can be thought of like a multivitamin for your cat. On top of that, it’s natural ingredients make it desirable over other products, especially for cats with sensitive stomachs.

Proviable DC for Cats and Dogs

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Proviable DC for Cats and Dogs is a capsule form probiotic that contains seven different bacteria strains. With so many strains of bacteria, there’s a much higher success rate of the probiotic making it all the way to the digestive tract of your cat.

This product also includes prebiotics, which are meant to feed the probiotic bacteria to encourage them to grow and not destroy the other strains of good bacteria. 

This product is also easy to give to your cat; all you have to do is break open the capsule and pour it directly onto his or her food. This is a little easier to control compared to powder bags, and it doesn’t create as much waste either.

Manufacturer Specs

  • 80 capsules
  • 7 strains of bacteria
  • Prebiotic included

What We Like

  • Prebiotic is a great benefit
  • 7 strains of bacteria means it will work better than others

What We Don’t Like

  • The product is for both cats and dogs, but cats and dogs typically need different probiotics
  • Amazon seems to have trouble regulating the quality of this product, and sometimes counterfeits are sent out. 

Note: If that ever happens to you, contact Amazon immediately. They’ll refund and/or replace your product for you.

Summary

This is a great product if you’re struggling with other probiotics; with so many different strains and the prebiotics included, you’re more than likely going to find success for your cat. However, it does seem weird that this is used for both cats and dogs when they generally need different probiotics.

Dr. Mercola Digestive Enzymes for Pets

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Dr. Mercola is known for their quality ingredients, and the Dr. Mercola Digestive Enzymes for Pets is no different. With no GMOs or gluten, this probiotic is another natural probiotic for cats. On top of that, things like papaya and pineapple stems are added to help entice your cat to eat every bit of it.

The enzyme itself isn’t exactly your standard probiotic, but it works the exact same. You add this to your cat’s food the same way you would with any other powder probiotic. 

If you’re not satisfied with the results you get, Dr. Mercola offers a 90-day full money-back guarantee, so you’re not risking anything by trying this product. 

Manufacturer Specs

  • 5 ounces
  • 5 different enzymes
  • All-natural ingredients

What We Like

  • Full money-back guarantee for 90 days
  • GMO and gluten-free

What We Don’t Like

  • Reviews mention that pets gain a lot of weight with this product
  • This is for both dogs and cats, so it’s not tailored directly towards your cat’s health

Summary

A lot of people stand behind Dr. Mercola products, and this is no exception. It seems to work well for most pets though, and the money-back guarantee means that you can try it and see for yourself with no repercussions.

VetOne Advita Powder Probiotic Nutritional Supplement for Cats

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The VetOne Advita Powder is a probiotic supplement for cats that also includes a variety of vitamins, like vitamin A, E, and C. This makes the product a great choice for an everyday immune booster for your pet. 

The probiotics are “microencapsulated,” which helps the bacteria reach the digestive tract without dying or breaking apart. Again, this helps increase the odds that the probiotic is going to help your cat.

This is another powder probiotic that you’ll mix into your cat’s food, and it’s best to use before major events, such as surgery, traveling, and even boarding. 

Manufacturer Specs

  • 30 packets
  • 5 strains of bacteria
  • 200 million CFUs

What We Like

  • Vitamins included for more nutritional benefits
  • Created specifically for cats

What We Don’t Like

  • There aren’t very many CFUs compared to other products around the same price point

Summary

VetOne Advita Powder is a great option if you’re looking for a probiotic to use before your cat is about to go through a stressful time period. However, despite having multiple vitamins, there are better options for daily use probiotics.

What Are Probiotics and How Do They Work?

Good intestinal health is important for a lot of reasons for both you and your cat. A huge part of the immune system is determined by the health of your intestines, so having good bacteria in the intestines is extremely important.

One way to create good bacteria in your cat’s intestine is to introduce probiotics into their diets. You can do this by introducing special kinds of food. 

A lack of good intestinal bacteria can cause a variety of digestive issues with your cat, including diarrhea, vomiting, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Probiotics are actually linked to stopping these digestive issues by creating good bacteria that help prevent digestive issues from happening as well as prevent diseases from forming.

Another way you can think about it is like this: dry kibble isn’t something your cat would eat in the wild. It doesn’t necessarily agree with their bodies, and over time this can lead to various diseases. However, probiotics are a way to add in that nutrition that cat’s bodies need!

How Do I Get My Cat to Eat the Probiotics?

Probiotics can come in various forms, such as pills, food, powders, and even treats! Every cat is different, so it can be easier to tailor the type of probiotic you get to the pickiness of your cat. For example, you might not want to change your cat’s food because that’s the only food you can get your cat to eat. In that case, it might be best to add a powder probiotic to the food or get probiotic treats. 

Probiotics can also be used in multiple ways depending on how your cat is acting. If your cat is stressed out because of physical circumstances, you can use probiotics on an as-needed basis.

If your cat has a sensitive stomach, or your cat seems to have chronic issues with diarrhea or vomiting, then you can use probiotics daily! There are several options listed above that are great to use on a daily basis, and you can actually improve your kitty’s coat and immune health by doing so!

How Long Does it Take Probiotics to Work in Cats?

There are a couple of different things that affect how quickly (or slowly) a probiotic can start to affect the digestive system in your cat. However, in most cases, it takes around 21 days.

The main contributing factor is the actual probiotic itself. One issue that probiotics have is the bacteria getting lost, breaking down, or not attaching to your cat’s gut. Because it is a living bacteria, it can be difficult to make it land and stay, in the digestive tract. 

Probiotics get around this in multiple ways—including using a few different ways to ensure that the bacteria gets to the gut. Things like prebiotics are one way; attaching food to the bacteria, it ensures that the good bacteria isn’t going to break down or settle somewhere else in your pet. It also creates a great environment for the bacteria as it settles in your cat’s gut.

Other Factors That Affect Probiotic Efficiency

Another thing is by creating microcapsules that hold the good bacteria within them while they travel to your cat’s digestive tract. This prevents the bacteria from going anywhere or breaking down.

Another very realistic factor that can contribute to how long it takes for the probiotic to work in your cat is how well your cat takes to ingesting it. Depending on the smell (and the pickiness of your furry friend), it can take a few days before your cat begins eating every bit of its food again.

Another thing that’s harder to predict is your own cat. Some cats just take longer to see the effects of probiotics, so it’s a little harder to give an exact estimate of time. However, if you don’t see a change within a month, it’s best to just try a new probiotic.  

Remember, you need to watch your cat as you use the probiotics. There are different strains of probiotics, and some might not sit well with your pet. Make sure that you’re paying attention to the digestive patterns your cat has both before and after you start administering the probiotic. Be ready to immediately stop using the probiotic if your cat’s symptoms worsen.

What Do I Need to Know About Probiotics for Cats?

One important thing to note is that probiotics are not normally meant to be used with both dogs and cats. The main reason that pets need probiotics is that their natural diets are nowhere near the same as the typical kibble provides.

Cats Vs. Other Mammals

For example, dogs need a lot of protein from meat; however, cats need more fat. These kinds of differences are pretty significant when it comes to the bacteria in the gut, which means that your cat is either getting bacteria he or she doesn’t need or not getting the bacteria he or she needs with a probiotic meant for both dogs and cats.

This also applies to human probiotics; cats do not need to be using probiotics that are meant for human consumption. Human diets and cat diets are not the same, and the gut bacteria doesn’t need to be the same either.

Think about it this way: cats and humans are completely different sizes. A human easily weighs five times as much as a cat, so there are going to be major differences in the size of the digestive tract as well. You don’t want to pump your cat full of enough bacteria to satisfy a human gut. 

Probiotics Don’t Last Forever

Another thing to keep in mind is that probiotics do have a shelf life. They can’t be kept forever, and you must pay attention to when it expires. The probiotic is full of live bacteria, and bacteria can grow in ways that aren’t ideal for your cat if you leave it for too long.

There are a few different ways probiotics expire. The most common way is by an expiration date printed somewhere on the label or lid of the probiotic. Another way you can tell is by a graphic that includes an open jar and a number. That number is typically in months, and it begins upon the probiotic unsealing. 

Understanding CFUs

One way you can tell the quality of a probiotic is by the CFUs in the product. The CFUs are typically in millions or billions, and the more CFUs, the better the product. You’ll want to reach for the highest CFUs out there.

Essentially, the CFUs tell you how many live bacteria exist in a serving. While these numbers seem crazy high, bacteria is microscopic, and you have a better chance of the probiotic working with the more you can fit into each serving. The better the odds, the quicker your cat will start feeling better!

In the same way, you want the probiotic you choose to have enough different strains of bacteria to increase the chances of the bacteria successfully getting, and staying, in your cat’s gut. While some probiotics use one or two different bacteria strains, others use twenty!

There is some debate about whether or not you can use too many different strains in a probiotic, but there isn’t much data about what’s best. In most cases, you’ll want to use a probiotic that has more bacteria strains compared to one that only uses five. If the product isn’t helping your cat or causing symptoms to worsen, then it’s a good idea to try a probiotic with fewer bacteria strains.

Features to Consider When Choosing a Cat Probiotic

The Right Way to Ingest

There are a few different types of probiotics you can get, and you might want to think about getting one that’s tailored to your cat or your cat’s diet. For example, if you use dry food, it isn’t easy to mix with a powdered probiotic, and your cat is more likely to not ingest the majority of the probiotic.

If you have a picky cat, then you might need to think about using pills or something that isn’t going to rely on your cat eating it. While no one likes forcing their cat to take a pill, it’s better than causing your precious pet to stop eating because they don’t know what’s in their food.

As we’ve already discussed, there are a few different ways to measure how strong a probiotic is, including the number of different strains and the CFUs. In most cases, you want to go for the higher number both times, but your pet might need something different.

Adjusting CFUs & Intake Amounts

If your pet is struggling with digestive issues and it’s a new problem, then you may want to try using a smaller number of bacteria strains and CFUs. This way you don’t overwhelm your cat’s gut, especially if it’s a newer issue and your cat doesn’t need that many supplemental probiotics. 

Another important factor to consider is how often you’re going to be giving your cat the probiotic. The best probiotics can be used on an as-needed basis or an everyday basis depending on the needs of your pet.

When you’re looking for an everyday probiotic for your cat, then think about what else the probiotic can do for you. For example, several of the probiotics we discussed above are full of vitamins and other beneficial things for your pet. The more you plan to use the probiotic, the more you’ll want to make sure your probiotic can function as a multivitamin.

Ensure You Have the Right Product For You and Your Cat

One major thing to double-check before purchasing a probiotic is who the product is intended for. You really want to stray away from products that are intended for multiple different animals because they’re only going to provide the very basis of good gut bacteria. In most cases, your cat is going to need more than that.

If you’re looking at the different ingredients or you know that a certain probiotic includes the bacteria that your cat needs, then it’s not going to hurt your cat to use a probiotic meant for multiple animals. However, you’ll probably need some veterinary instruction before learning exactly what your pet needs. 

This might come off as common sense advice, but make sure you’re checking the ingredients. There are natural probiotics for cats that work really well and don’t use GMOs, gluten, grain, and other ingredients that can be harmful to your pet. Anything that you would exclude from your cat’s food, exclude from the probiotic. You don’t want to upset your cat’s stomach even worse by introducing new types of ingredients into his or her diet that are hard to digest.

Where Was It Made?

Also, keep an eye out for products that source ingredients from the United States or are created in the United States. While there is nothing wrong with medicine bought from overseas, there are some roadblocks that do pop up when you’re shipping an item across the ocean as well as some quality issues to be aware of.

Because probiotics include live bacteria, the shorter the time between production and use of the product the better. If you can get a probiotic that’s created somewhere near you, the better quality you’re going to get.

Also, in many overseas probiotic purchases, buyers are tricked by false labels and brand names that aren’t actually true. Most of the time, brands are registered in a certain country, and while it can prevent companies from within the country from copying logos or wording, it doesn’t prevent other countries from doing so.

Basically, you can buy something that’s labeled Purina online and have something sent to you that’s not actually Purina and it’s nothing illegal. You can end up giving your cat a probiotic that isn’t what you think it is; for that reason, it’s important to try and get a probiotic from a reputable company that is based somewhere near you and that isn’t being resold by another vendor.

Any of the probiotics on our list should help your cat’s digestion within a few days of use. Maybe they will even entice you to find one of the best probiotic yogurts for cats out there too. Either way, hopefully, you and your feline friends will be feeling better all around after starting one of these!