Probiotics for Dogs and Cats

We all need to take care of our gut. For humans, it’s as easy as picking up a pack of Yakult in the weekly shop, but what are the options for pets? In this article, we’re going to delve into the world of pre and probiotics for pets and how they can help improve your cat or dog’s gut health. 

What are Probiotics? 

Our guts are full of good bacteria, and it's the same for our pet’s. These different types of bacteria are called the gut microbiota, and they are found throughout the gastrointestinal tract where they work to break down the food your pet eats as well as any toxins, which is why it’s important to ensure your pet’s gastrointestinal health is always in working order. They can also help improve:

• Stool quality
• Immune system 
• Overall digestion 
• Skin and coat health

One of the ways of making sure your pet’s gut is healthy is by providing your cat or dog with a complete pet food with ingredients rich in prebiotics and probiotics, and another way is by introducing probiotic supplements to your pet. 

What’s the Difference Between Probiotics and Prebiotics?

There can be some confusion when it comes to the difference between prebiotics and probiotics, but to put it simply:

• Probiotics are “good” live bacteria that are generally given as a supplement and increase the population of “good” bacteria in the gut, resulting in health benefits such as maintaining your pet’s gut health and immune system. There are billions of them living in your pet’s gut naturally.
• Prebiotics are a specific dietary fibre found in your pet’s food that your pet’s body can’t digest but that feed and fuel the“good” bacteria living in the gut so they can do their job.

To maximise your pet’s gastrointestinal health, it’s important that the delicate balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in your pet’s gut is maintained. Many animals can do this naturally but consuming food with enough pre and probiotic-rich ingredients, but others may require a little extra help, which is where digestive supplements can help. 

Do Dogs Need Probiotics? 

Put simply, yes, your dog can benefit from probiotics as well as prebiotics. The real question is where they get them from. Many dogs can maintain a healthy gut microbiome through their daily diet along, while other dogs may need a little bit more help, but this is down to your vet to advise. 

There are a few signs to look out for that may indicate your dog’s digestive system is out of balance, including: 

• Diarrhoea 
• Weight problems 
• Gas or bloating
• Upset stomach
• Change in overall health

Do Cats Need Probiotics? 

As with dogs, cats can also benefit from probiotics to maintain a healthy gut microbiome and overall health. Also, much like dogs, there are several things that may affect that delicate balance, such as: 

• Antibiotic medications
• Changes to your cat's food
• Parasites
• Stress
• And more!

If your cat or dog is experiencing a stomach upset, you should consult your vet as soon as possible to make sure probiotics are suitable, as in some instances (such as if your pet has specific food allergies) introducing them may not be of benefit.

What Kind of Probiotics Are There for Dogs and Cats? 

As we’ve mentioned, your pet already has millions of bacteria already living in their gut, but in some instances they may need some more to maintain that balance. Luckily, there are plenty of options for you to supply your pet with all the probiotics they need, whether it’s through choosing the right food or introducing a digestive supplement to help. 

Probiotics in Pet Food

Many pet foods on the market already contain ingredients that provide probiotics to your pet, and if these aren’t enough, there are also a number of digestive-specific pet foods such as the ROYAL CANIN® Dog Food Gastrointestinal Veterinary Health Dog Food or the PURINA PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS EN Gastrointestinal Cat Food. 

While these foods are available to buy without a vet’s prescription, you should never make drastic changes to your pet’s diet (such as switching to a prescription diet) without first consulting your vet. 

Probiotic Supplements for Dogs and Cats

If your pet needs more probiotics in their diet, but you don’t want to change their food, you can easily add a probiotic to their food instead. 

Probiotics for cats and dogs are available in a variety of different formulas, including: 

• Probiotic pastes for dogs and cats, like the Canikur Pro Paste for Cats and Dogs
• Probiotic powders, like the Purina Fortiflora for Dogs and Purina Fortiflora for Cats
• Probiotic capsules for dogs and cats like the Protexin Pro-Enzorb For Dogs & Cats

Each of these different pet probiotic supplements is formulated to help maintain your pet’s sensitive gut microbiome and is quick and easy to add to their daily food, whether by sprinkling the powder on top or mixing the paste in with their wet food. Different products might be more appropriate in different individual circumstances, so it could be helpful to seek advice from your vet as to which is best to select for your pet.

Your pet’s health matters, and ensuring their bodies are working as they should is one of the main responsibilities of pet ownership, so we hope this guide to pet probiotics and prebiotics has given you a better understanding of your pet’s gut health and what they need.

If you want to learn more about the variety of pet supplements available, get in touch with us or check out our guide to pet supplements and find the perfect fit for your pet! 

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle thoroughly with your vet before starting any program or treatment.