Last Updated: 11/08/2025
Probiotics for Cats
Probiotics are increasingly popular in human health - and your cat can reap the benefits too!
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 7 minutes - short read
What are probiotics?
What bacteria species are in your cat's gut?
Domestic cats are obligate carnivores, which means they depend on high intakes of animal tissue. This has led to an adaptation to a low-glucose and high-protein metabolism, and compared to humans they are less dependent on the gut microbiome for energy via microbial fermentation. Nevertheless, a stable and balanced microbiota remains critical to maintain gut health.3
Cats have a number of species of friendly bacteria in their gut, which are quite different to humans and dogs thanks to their obligate carnivore diet. Each section of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small intestine, large intestine, colon) house different populations of dominant bacteria, with the large intestine harbouring the most dense and diverse.4 The species present also varies greatly from animal to animal. But in general, most identified species fall into four phyla: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria.3
However, rather than get bogged down by the species names, it's important to focus on establishing a stable, biodiverse population with a good balance of different species. When the microflora is unbalanced and the diversity of the population is out of whack, problems can ensue. This misbalance is also known as 'dysbiosis'.
What causes the gut microflora to become unbalanced in cats? Dysbiosis may occur after a course of antibiotics, a change in diet, a parasite infection, food poisoning, when weaning off milk, or during times of stress. Disrupted microflora can lead to signs including diarrhoea, vomiting, gas, bloating, and a compromised immune system.
With this in mind, it makes sense that establishing and maintaining populations of desirable bacteria in the gut is an important part of treating gastrointestinal diseases in our pets.
The Benefits of Probiotics for Cats
How do probiotics work?
When should I give my cat a probiotic?
Any cat who has recently been treated with a course of antibiotics may benefit from a probiotic supplement. Additionally, you may wish to give a probiotic for ongoing maintenance for any chronic gastrointestinal, skin, or allergic condition.
Anecdotally, probiotics are often reported to assist cats with chronic gastro condiitons such as a sensitive stomach, recurrent diarrhoea, vomiting, food sensitivities, bloating and gas, as well as those with chronic allergies. It's possible that these cats are also treated with courses of antibiotics more frequently than other cats, which may be the reason for the noticeable improvement. But regardless of the reason for the success, many believe that probiotics are worth a try - and they certainly can't do any harm.
Can I give human probiotics to my cat?
A probiotic supplement that is safe for humans isn't necessarily also safe and effective for cats. Not only do humans possess different microbial populations to cats, but probioitic products may contain other ingredients in the capsule or tablet that are not safe for cats.
However, many probiotic foods - such as unflavoured yoghurt or kefir - may be safe for cats in small quantities.
What are the best probiotics for cats?
Now that we know that science has established the link between the microbiome in the gut and immune and digestive health, the next step is figuring out how to manipulate the microbiome for good. There are actually many ways to alter the gut microbiome - including probiotics, prebiotics, faecal transplants, and dietary changes.
The Best Probiotics for Cats Compared
Other options: Diets, Foods, and Natural Prebiotics
Probiotic Foods that are Safe for Cats
2. Green Tripe
Verdict: Safe for cats
Tripe is the muscle tissue from the stomach of animals like pigs, cows, and sheep. Green tripe - the raw, unbleached, uncooked variety - is becoming very popular in natural cat foods, particularly the ranges from Ziwi Peak and Feline Natural. Green tripe is available in different forms including raw, freeze-dried, wet food, and treats.
Raw green tripe contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, a type of bacteria that originates in an animal's gut. This is a lactic-acid producing bacteria - which as we discussed before, may improve gut health by controlling populations of harmful bacteria and promoting better gut immunity.
Many people like the idea of giving tripe as a probiotic, because it stays true to their cat's ancestral 'whole prey' diet. The idea goes that wild cats would naturally consume the intestinal contents of prey animals, which contain fermenting fibrous vegetable matter and copious levels of bacteria-rich tripe.
3. Fermented Vegetables
Verdict: Safe depending on the ingredients, but not particularly beneficial for carnivorous cats
Sauerkraut and kimchi are made from fermented cabbage, and may incorporate other vegetables such as carrots and fennel. Sauerkrat can produce up to 10 trillion colony-forming units (CFU) - to compare, many probiotic supplements only provide around 10 billion CFUs.
However, it's always important to check the ingredients and ask your vet about an individual product before giving it to your cat. Many sauerkrat products are safe as they are made with cabbage or cabbage-carrot mixes, but some products may contain onions or garlic, which are toxic to cats. Kimchi often contains garlic and can also contain chilli which cats are sensitive to.
4. Prebiotic-rich Fruits and Vegetables
Verdict: Safe for cats, but not particularly beneficial for carnivorous cats
Certain vegetables have natural prebiotic properties thanks to their fibre type and content. Examples include artichokes, leeks, pumpkin, asparagus, bananas, flaxseed, and chicory root. These items are great for dogs, but don't provide as much benefit in cats due to their requirement for a diet high in animal protein.
5. Psyllium Husk
Verdict: Safe
Usually taken for it's bulk-forming, anti-constipation effects, psyllium husk is also a powerful prebiotic. Psyllium has been demonstrated to increase microbial diversity and numbers, as well as their associated digestive enzymes.10 (Plus, it can help if your cat has anal gland issues!)
When giving your cat psyllium husk, always make sure to select a natural, unflavoured variety free from flavourings. Give around a half a teaspoon, sprinkled on the food daily, and adjust the dose as needed.
6. Hill's Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome
Hill's Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome is a cat food designed specifically to support the gut microflora without the use of additional supplements. It is currently the only diet on the market which has been created for this purpose. It contains unique ActiveBiome+TM technology - a special blend of prebiotic fibres that works with and feeds the bacteria present in your cat's microbiome to support better digestive health.
Read more about Improving Your Pet's Microbiome Using Hill's Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome.
All in all, probiotics are a safe and simple way to promote the everyday health of your dog - and may be particularly beneficial for any dog with allergies, gastrointestinal problems, or chronic diseases. Whether you choose to purchase an daily supplement or introduce prebiotics into their diet, every dog can benefit from a bit of extra care for their microbiome.
Further Reading
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu Mar 13 2025
Edited by Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
