Prebiotics vs. Probiotics for Cats
by Nomi Berger
If both prebiotics and probiotics are beneficial for people, are they equally beneficial for cats? Do you use one or the other or both, and if not, do you know the difference between the two of them?
According to the experts, prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates that stimulate and promote the growth and activity of normal healthy bacteria in our gastrointestinal systems. While fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are the most common type of prebiotic, arabinogalactans, lactulose and oligosaccharides are considered prebiotics as well. A few of the main food sources of prebiotics include chicory, fruits, legumes, vegetables and whole grains.
Probiotics are living microorganisms very similar to the friendly bacteria and yeasts living in our digestive tracts. They not only help digest food, they fight off potential pathogens, make nutrients and vitamins and bolster our immune system. When prescribed as supplements for cats, they come in the form of capsules, chews, liquids, powders and/or sprays.
Prebiotics nourish and support the health of the good bacteria (probiotics) in a cat’s gastrointestinal system by helping to improve digestion and nutrient absorption, enhance their immune system and prevent disease. Studies show that cats given prebiotics have less diarrhea caused by the overgrowth of bad bacteria since its soluble fiber helps prevent and/or treat diarrhea by absorbing moisture and slowing intestinal movement.
Whenever there’s more bad bacteria than good bacteria, the results can include abdominal pain, an upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting and a suppressed immune system. By supplementing your cat’s diet with probiotics, you’re boosting the amount of good bacteria competing with the bad bacteria for nutrients and helping their immune system ward off illness. As soon as their gastrointestinal bacteria balance has been restored, their clinical signs resolve and they feel ever so much better.
Vets report that the most common digestive problems they treat are upset stomachs caused by sensitive GI tracts and much of the time, by stress. This includes such stressful situations as being boarded temporarily, traveling in a car, on a boat or on a plane, an abrupt rather than a gradual change in their diet, food “indiscretions,” being placed on antibiotics or suffering from parasites.
Whatever the cause, however, the result is the same: the bad bacteria overpower the good bacteria, which leads to illness and an obvious decline in the cat’s health. As a preemptive measure, vets will often prescribe both prebiotics and probiotics to help correct that microbial imbalance, improve the cat’s gastrointestinal upset and, with it, their overall wellbeing.
When it comes to chronic illnesses such as food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and neoplasia, vets consider these cats excellent candidates for the everyday use of probiotics.
In conclusion, just as people want the best nutrition, health and care for ourselves, we want the same for our cherished cat companions. If we routinely supplement our own diets with prebiotics or probiotics or both in order to help boost our immune systems, it’s only natural to consider supplementing our cats’ diets with them as well. But, as always, discuss the matter with your veterinarian before attempting to make any changes on your own.
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