The Gut-Cat Connection: Do Probiotics Really Work?

You’ve most certainly heard about probiotics for your own gut health. But do probiotics really work for cats?

And what exactly is a probiotic, anyway?

To understand that, we need to talk about your cat’s gut microbiome—the complex community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract.

Think of it as a tiny ecosystem inside your cat.

The microbiome includes bacteria and other microorganisms that interact with the digestive system, food and the immune system. Researchers are also learning more about communication between the gut and the brain, often referred to as the gut-brain axis.

And that raises some fascinating questions.

Could your cat’s gut health affect more than digestion? What happens when that microbial community gets disrupted? And where do probiotics and prebiotics fit into the picture?

What Can Disrupt a Cat's Microbiome?

A cat's microbiome isn't static.

Things such as diet, illness, stress, environmental changes and antibiotics can affect the microbial community living in the gastrointestinal tract.

When that community is disrupted, the term dysbiosis is often used to describe the change.

And while we're learning more about the connection between the microbiome and feline health, it's important not to turn the microbiome into an explanation for every problem a cat experiences.

The gut is complicated—and so are cats.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Cat Talk Radio to hear Molly and Angel Romero of Buddy Biotics dig into the answer.

Probiotic vs. Prebiotic: What's the Difference?

Here's where things can get confusing.

Probiotics are live microorganisms intended to provide a health benefit when administered in adequate amounts.

Prebiotics are substances that can serve as food for certain microorganisms.

In very simple terms:

Probiotics = the microbes.

Prebiotics = food for microbes.

Buddy Biotics' feline Probiotic + Prebiotic formula combines multiple probiotic strains with FOS, a prebiotic. But does combining probiotics and prebiotics automatically make a supplement better?

And what should you actually look for when comparing probiotic products?

That's where things get much more interesting.

The number of CFUs on the label is only one piece of the puzzle. The specific strains, formulation, viability and stability of the product can all matter. The episode takes a closer look at what pet parents should consider when evaluating a probiotic.

Does Your Cat's Diet Matter?

Another question that doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer is diet.

Cats eating dry food, canned food and raw diets can have differences in their gut microbial communities. The nutrients and other components of the diet help determine which microorganisms can thrive.

So could your cat's diet influence how a probiotic works?

And if a cat is already eating a nutritionally complete diet, is there still a reason to add a probiotic or prebiotic?

Those are exactly the kinds of questions we wanted to explore. 

🎧 WANT THE ANSWER?

➜ Listen to the full Cat Talk Radio episode: The Gut-Cat Connection: Do Probiotics Really Work?

Molly and Angel get into probiotics, prebiotics, the feline microbiome, diet, and what cat parents should actually know before choosing a supplement.

What About the Gut-Brain Connection?

Here's where the feline microbiome gets particularly fascinating.

The gut and brain communicate through multiple pathways, and researchers are studying how microorganisms and their byproducts may participate in that communication.

That has led to growing interest in whether the microbiome could have connections to things such as stress, behavior, appetite and metabolism.

But there's an important distinction between researching these relationships and claiming that a probiotic can fix a particular behavioral or health problem.

A cat who is experiencing pain, nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort may certainly behave differently. But that doesn't mean that every anxious, aggressive or overgrooming cat has a "gut problem."

The science is interesting.

The claims require a little more caution.

Can Gut Bacteria Make a Cat Hungry?

You've probably seen claims online about "hunger bacteria" and gut microbes sending signals to the brain.

There is growing scientific interest in the relationship between the microbiome, metabolism, appetite and communication between the digestive system and brain. But that doesn't mean a probiotic should be viewed as a weight-loss product.

And if your cat suddenly becomes extremely hungry, starts gaining or losing weight, or has a significant change in appetite, that's a reason to talk with your veterinarian rather than assuming the microbiome is responsible.

So, Should Your Cat Take a Probiotic?

That's the million-dollar question.

There may be situations where probiotic or prebiotic supplementation makes sense—for example, when a cat's gastrointestinal health has been disrupted. The episode explores situations such as antibiotic use, illness, stress and digestive upset, as well as whether healthy cats need probiotics as a daily preventative.

But a probiotic isn't a substitute for diagnosing an underlying medical problem.

And choosing one isn't necessarily as simple as grabbing the bottle with the biggest number on the label.

So what should you actually look for?

Do probiotics work differently depending on the cat, the diet or the product?

And is there a good reason to give a healthy cat a probiotic every day?

Molly and Angel tackle those questions—and a lot more—in this episode of Cat Talk Radio.

🎧 LISTEN NOW

➜ Hear the full conversation and find out what we really know about probiotics, prebiotics and your cat's gut.

BUY Buddy Biotic's Probiotic + Prebiotic here