For pet parents, there’s nothing worse than when your furry friend isn’t feeling well. It is indisputably super important for your cat to maintain a healthy gut — perhaps even more than you might think.
A balanced digestive system doesn't just ensure smooth digestion for your kitty — it can also influence how well your cat absorbs nutrients. It can affect their mood and strengthen their immune system.
Just like in humans, when a cat’s gut is in good shape, they’re likely to feel better in general. Probiotics play a massive role in supporting your cat’s digestive health. This is especially true if your cat happens to be dealing with issues like diarrhea, which can be a sign that something’s off in their digestive system.
However, not all probiotics are created equal. This can unfortunately make it difficult to choose the right one for your cat. You should make sure to look for probiotics that are specifically designed for cats. Some probiotics are formulated for both dogs and cats, which can work, but others specifically made just for cats might be a better fit.
Cat probiotics come in different forms, like powders, gels, and chews. Even though these supplements are often available without a prescription, you should always talk to your vet before starting your cat on any new supplement, including probiotics. Let’s talk about the best supplements for cats with diarrhea below.
What Are Probiotics?
Before we start talking about the best probiotics for cats with diarrhea, let’s discuss how probiotics work. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that are beneficial for your health — and in this case, your cat’s health.
When we hear the word “bacteria,” we usually think of infections or diseases, but not all bacteria are bad. Both our bodies and our cats’ bodies are full of both helpful and potentially harmful bacteria. Probiotics are often called “good” or “friendly” bacteria because they help keep the gut healthy and balanced.
When your cat has diarrhea, it usually means there’s an imbalance in their gut microbiota. This term refers to the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, that live in the digestive system. Probiotics help support the beneficial bacteria, which compete with harmful bacteria, helping restore a healthy balance in your cat’s gut.
Not all probiotics work the same way, however. Different strains of probiotics can have different effects on the body, which is why choosing the right supplement is so important.
Why Does My Cat Have Diarrhea?
Diarrhea in cats can happen for many different reasons. It could be something relatively minor and temporary, or your cat could be dealing with more serious health problems. Understanding what might be causing your cat’s diarrhea can help you figure out the best way to address it and get your cat back to feeling good. Here are some reasons why your cat might be experiencing diarrhea:
Dietary Changes or Indiscretions
If you’ve recently switched your cat to a new type of food, or if your cat has eaten something they shouldn’t have — like table scraps or trash — they might end up with diarrhea. Cats have sensitive digestive systems, and any sudden change can throw things off balance.
Food Intolerances or Allergies
Cats can be intolerant or allergic to certain ingredients in their food. For example, many cats are lactose intolerant, which means that dairy products can cause digestive issues like diarrhea.
Parasites
Internal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, or giardia, can also cause diarrhea in cats. Regular check-ups and deworming treatments are often necessary to keep these parasites in check.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
IBD is a chronic condition where the intestines become inflamed. This can cause recurrent diarrhea in cats.
Certain Medications
Some medications, especially antibiotics, can disturb the balance of bacteria in your cat’s gut. It’s not uncommon for this to lead to diarrhea as well.
If your cat has persistent diarrhea, you should take them to the vet. While probiotics can help manage and relieve some of the symptoms of diarrhea, they’re not a substitute for professional veterinary care.
What Are the Best Probiotics for Cats with Diarrhea?
If you notice that your cat has diarrhea, it’s a clear sign that their digestive system is out of balance. Luckily, probiotics can help restore this balance. Listed below are some of the best probiotic supplements for cats with diarrhea:
Ready Balance Probiotic Supplement for Cats
When cats go through stressful situations — like traveling or illness — their digestive tract can be thrown out of whack. This often leads to issues like diarrhea, loss of appetite, or even vomiting.
The Ready Balance Probiotic Supplement from Under the Weather is a gel formulated by veterinarians to help with these issues. It contains six strains of live probiotic bacteria, along with plenty of vitamins and prebiotic inulin, which helps promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut. This gel is easy to administer since it has a dial-a-dose tube, and most cats like the taste.
Ingredients:
Soy oil
- Coconut oil
- Sucrose
- Corn starch
- Dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product
- Dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product
- Dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product
- Dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product
- Inulin
- Hydrolyzed yeast
- Dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product
- Dried bacillus licheniformis fermentation product
- Vitamins (d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, and vitamin B12)
Give this supplement orally to cats at a rate of 1 gram per 10 pounds of body weight, twice daily.
Probiotic Powder for Cats
This probiotic powder is designed to specifically support your cat’s appetite, digestion, and immune system. It contains one billion colony-forming units (CFU) of live bacteria, which helps maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in your cat’s gut.
This powder is veterinarian-formulated and made in Vermont. It’s free of corn, artificial flavors, and dyes — which is always a plus. It also has a chicken liver flavor that we’re pretty sure your cat will love.
Ingredients:
Crude Protein: 19.00%
- Crude Fat: 1.50%
- Crude Fiber: <0.20%
- Moisture: 3.80%
- Ash: 2.43%
- Calorie Content: 3837 kcal/kg; 4.60 kcal/kg
- Inactive Ingredients:
- FOS (fructooligosaccharides)
- Bacillus coagulans
- Enterococcus faecium
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Natural chicken flavor
- To give your cat this supplement, simply mix two scoops into their food daily.
Probiotic Soft Chews for Cats
If your cat prefers treats over powders or gels, these probiotic soft chews might be a great option for them. These soft chews combine a tasty salmon flavor with essential nutrients that support digestive health in cats.
Each chew contains over 100 million probiotics and powerful prebiotics that help reduce digestive issues like constipation and diarrhea. These chews are also designed to boost your cat’s immune system, so they’ll be more resilient against illnesses.
Ingredients:
Chicken Meal
- Chicken Liver
- Glycerin
- Cane Molasses
- Potato Flour
- Salmon Oil
- Powdered Sugar
- Corn Starch
- Lecithin
- Salt
- Phosphoric Acid
- Potassium Sorbate
- Inulin
- Dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product
- Dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product
- Dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product
- Dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product
- Dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product
- Dried bacillus licheniformis fermentation product
- Preservatives (Methylparaben, Mixed Tocopherols, and Propylparaben)
- For cats up to 15 pounds, give them 2 chews daily. For cats over 15 pounds, give them 4 chews daily. Your cat will enjoy these since they seem more like treats than an unenticing supplement.
The Benefits of Probiotic Supplements for Cats
There are plenty of benefits that come with giving your cat probiotics. Not only does it help stop and prevent diarrhea, but it can reduce hairballs, too. Let’s take a look at the main benefits below:
Maintaining Good Bacteria in the Gut
Many health issues in cats start in the gut, including conditions like leaky gut syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Probiotics help maintain a healthy population of good bacteria in the gut, which can prevent these problems from developing or getting worse.
Alleviating Constipation and Diarrhea and Improving Urinary Health
Probiotics can outcompete harmful microorganisms that contribute to digestive issues like diarrhea. They also support normal gastrointestinal function, which is essential for preventing constipation and maintaining good urinary health.
Reducing Anxiety and Stress
The gut and brain are connected by millions of nerves, so when the gut is inflamed or unbalanced, it can increase stress and anxiety in your cat. Probiotics can help reduce these issues since they promote a healthy gut.
Reducing Hairballs
A healthy digestive system is also important for reducing hairballs. Most cats (especially long-haired cats) deal with hairballs. While they’re normal, they can be quite uncomfortable for your cat.
Probiotics aren’t just for adult cats — they can be helpful for kittens too. Kittens are born without gut bacteria, which means they’re more prone to digestive issues and diarrhea. By introducing probiotics, you can help support their developing digestive systems.
Conclusion
At Under the Weather, our mission is to make it easy for pet parents to pick out the right supplements for their furry family members. For cats with diarrhea, any one of our probiotic supplement options would be a great choice. Learn more by checking out our blog as well as our wide selection of products.
