Top 7 Ways to Improve your cat’s Gut Health 

The gut health of your cat plays a vital role in overall health and happiness. Immunity, digestion, and overall health depend on your pet’s gut health. The digestion of all pets slows down with age, and cats are no exception. If you have a cat in your home, it is important to take care of her gut health from the first day.

From digestion to immunity to mental health, gut health plays a vital role in maintaining the overall health of your feline friend. Your cat has a wide variety of microorganisms in its digestive tract that are crucial for the absorption of nutrients from the feed it consumes. 

We are experiencing a rise in digestion-related diseases in our pets. The beneficial bacteria in the gut are harmed by exposure to food additives, antibiotics, antimicrobial, and polluted water. When the gut bacterium becomes out of balance, it leads to chronic digestive illnesses in humans and pets. 

Here, we have shared seven ways to improve your cat’s gut health through the right foods and nutritional changes.  

The food you serve your cat

As gut bacteria help your pet digest food, the types of food you serve to your cat influence the bacteria which thrive in the gut. Foods with high levels of carbs, such as potatoes and rice, lead to the production of carb-loving bacteria in the stomach and intestines. 

Some carb-loving bacteria are responsible for excessive inflammation that leads to other health issues in cats. Therefore, it is important to offer a balanced diet that contains all the nutrients and fiber. You can consider these high fiber cat foods to improve the digestive health of your cat. 

A balanced diet for your cat

A well-balanced diet is a great way to improve your cat’s gut health. Choose a diet containing all the foods to offer her a balanced combination of nutrients. Every cat has a different nutrient requirement depending on its overall health. Consulting your veterinarian is the best way to know the nutritional requirements and balanced diet for your cat. 

Prebiotics for good bacteria

Prebiotics are special kinds of dietary fiber that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive system. Although these bacteria are present in many foods, some people supplement their cat’s diet with extra prebiotics. 

If you want to introduce prebiotics to your cat’s diet, it is better to start with small doses. It is always best to consult your veterinarian to know the prebiotics for your cat.

Probiotics for healthy bacteria

Probiotics are supplements containing live bacteria that help in digestion and improve gut health. Many people consider cat supplements and vitamins to improve the digestion of their cats. Cats are carnivores with acidic stomachs that are far more acidic than dogs and humans.

The acidic environment in their stomach can kill the bacteria in probiotics. Therefore, it is important to consider a probiotic encased within an enteric-coated capsule, that protects the bacteria from acids and allows them to reach the intestines. 

Maintain Oral Hygiene

Oral health also plays a vital role in your cat’s gut health. A recent study on mice suggests that the bacteria living in the mouth may contribute to digestive disorders such as ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. 

The study found that various bacteria from the mouth make their way to the stomach and finally settle in the intestines. This can lead to chronic inflammation. Therefore, it is important to maintain the oral hygiene of your feline friend. 

Encourage your cat to drink more water

The lack of sufficient fluid intake can affect cats’ gut health. Many pet owners offer dry food to their cats. Therefore, it is essential to encourage your cat to drink more water. Offer wet foods to your cat to maintain the optimal balance of fluids in its body.

In addition, place some colorful water bowls in locations that it visits the most in your house. Cats love variation, and different colors of bowls will attract her to drink water several times a day. 

Exercise and daily walk

Over half of the cats in the United States are overweight. Obesity can have negative effects on cats’ digestive health. Active cats have more good bacteria in their guts as compared to less active health. Exercise plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy gut and overall health in cats. Therefore, it is important to take your cat for a walk or to a park where it can play for some time. 

Summing Up

Your cat is as important as other members of your family, and you should do your best to take care of her gut health. Now, as you know what to do to support your cat’s gut health, you can ensure to follow the tips in this post. Offering your cat a balanced diet, sufficient water, probiotics, and fiber will help you improve its gut health and offer her a high-quality life.