Probiotics for cats are nutritional supplements of “friendly” bacteria that should naturally be present in their digestive system. They designed to ensure that the concentration of these beneficial bacteria is at an appropriate level to support optimum health. Pros for the use of probiotics for cats include improving overall health, particularly digestion and immune system functioning, in a safe and natural way. There aren’t any obvious cons because probiotic use is safe and without any apparent side effects. The only real drawback is the added expense associated with probiotics, which may not be necessary for healthy cats.
Healthy animals, including cats, have a population of beneficial bacteria that are normally present in the digestive tract. These friendly bacteria play an important role in feline health. They aid in the digestion of food and are part of the defense against illness-causing bacteria and viruses that invade the body. Many situations, including illness, stress, antibiotic use, and poor diet can disturb the balance of these beneficial bacteria, thus preventing them from performing necessary functions. When this occurs, supplementation with probiotics for cats can be extremely helpful.
The use of probiotics for cats is supposed to offer many benefits including enhanced resistance to disease. The probiotics help to restore the balance of beneficial bacteria that are an important defense against illness-causing microbes, particularly when they are ingested with food. They have been shown to reduce allergic reactions, and prevent the overgrowth of certain fungi, as well as actively attacking harmful bacteria and stimulating immune system response. If a cat has been treated with antibiotics for illness, it’s a good idea to supplement with probiotics for a while to help repopulate the beneficial bacteria as soon as possible
In the digestive system, probiotics for cats also have several benefits. They improve the digestive process and help the system extract maximum nutrition from food. They also assist in the synthesis of certain necessary substances such as vitamin K. Probiotics are also extremely useful in the treatment of many digestive ailments, especially diarrhea, in a safe, gentle, and natural way. They are often recommended for older cats or those who are ill or stressed.
There aren’t any apparent significant problems with the use of probiotics for cats. They are considered by veterinarians to be safe and don’t cause any harmful or irritating side effects. They are formulated to duplicate the naturally occurring beneficial bacteria already found in a cat’s system, so they are not treated as a foreign substance by the feline immune response. The only real drawback of probiotic use is the expense, one which may not be necessary for healthy younger cats. Long-term supplementation with a high quality probiotic preparation can add up to a significant cost for a cat owner.