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Are human probiotics safe for cats? I'm having a hard time finding probiotics for felines. My cat suffers from IBS and I'm hoping the probiotics will help rather than another visit to the vet which has been inclusive so far (their diagnosis IBS) and traumatic to my cat who still hides from me when she hears me get home from work or when I deviate from my normal dressing routine, thinking I'm going to grab her and take her back to the vet.
Optional Information: Age: 12; Female, California Already Tried: Feline cat. Had several blood tests, was hospitalized overnight at vet for dehydration. Has history of undiagnosed urinary problem. Treatment then and most recently, antibiotic and Prednisone. She acts normal now, eats fine, but has runny stools. She doesn't have to run to the bathroom all the time, just that whenever she has a bowel movement, it's runny and comes out with some force.
Human probiotics are considered safe for cats, but of questionable effectiveness. Your best bet for a probiotic is Purina FortiFlora for cats, which will have the proper types of bacteria that will help a cat's digestive tract.
Do you know if FortiFlora is sold w/o a vet prescription? Thanks!
It's sold only through veterinarians as far as I know, but I don't believe it's technically a prescription product. It's kind of a gray area, to be honest. You may need to call around to a few vets to see if any will sell it without an exam.
You indicated it is of questionable effectiveness. Do you recommend anything else?
*human* probiotics are of questionable effectiveness, because of the differing bacterial content in human intestines vs cat intestines. Feline probiotics are a safe, effective way of helping to normalize intestinal health.
Experience: Small Animal Medicine and Surgery