#7. My Cat’s Probiotic Journey – The Day I Discovered Blood in Her Poop
Honestly, I’ve always believed that if you eat well, you don’t really need supplements — and the same goes for cats. So every time I saw probiotics pop up in those cat vlog videos on YouTube, I just thought, “Eh, probably not necessary.”
That is… until I saw blood in Chu’s poop.
At the time, she seemed totally fine otherwise — eating, playing, purring — but something told me probiotics might help. That one little moment sparked a full-on rabbit hole of research and a sudden, urgent trip to buy her probiotics.
🧬 Why Do Cats Even Need Probiotics?
After hours of furious Googling, I found out that probiotics for cats aren’t just about digestion.
They play a crucial role in balancing overall gut health, supporting the immune system, and even improving skin conditions.
Here are four probiotic strains that are most often recommended for cats:
📌 The 4 Core Probiotics for Cats
- Lactobacillus
- Supports overall digestive function, suppresses harmful bacteria
- Helps produce lactic acid to improve gut pH
- Common strains: L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium
- Promotes nutrient absorption and immune modulation
- Found naturally in the intestines of mammals
- Common strains: B. bifidum, B. longum, B. infantis
- Streptococcus
- Supports mucosal protection and gut lining
- Common strain: S. thermophilus
- Enterococcus
- Aids in stool consistency and helps prevent diarrhea
- Common strain: E. faecium
These probiotics can help with:
✔️ Constipation or diarrhea
✔️ Hairball management
✔️ Immune support
✔️ Skin irritation or allergy-related itchiness
And I thought… maybe I should’ve started Chu on these way earlier.
Lately, she’s been throwing up a little more than usual (probably hairballs), and I’d noticed she was scratching behind her ears a lot more too. Could it all be connected?
🩸 What Happened With Chu
I’ve always been the type of cat parent who watches my cat poop… like a bodyguard on duty 😂
There’s something so endearing about the way Chu squints, flares her nose, and wiggles her butt when she goes.
But now I realize… maybe all that straining meant she was a little constipated. Sorry, Chu.
About a week ago, while she was doing her usual business, I noticed something alarming — a smear of bright red blood on her stool. When I checked again after she buried it, there were even tiny red drops on the litter.
My heart sank.
After some research, I learned that bright red blood on the surface of stool usually means a tear in the rectum, often from passing dry, hard poop — kinda like early-stage hemorrhoids in humans.
I wanted to act, but Chu still had her usual energy and appetite.
So rather than rushing to the vet (where they might just observe or prescribe meds), I decided to monitor her for a few days while trying a gentler, proactive approach — starting probiotics.
💡 Cue the Probiotic Emergency Purchase
So I ran to the nearest local pet shop and bought the only probiotic they had:
Companions Choice Probiotic Powder. The staff said their own cats loved it — plus, it had a cheese flavor and decent reviews for palatability. Honestly, I didn’t have many options, so I just went with it.
🧪 So… Did It Help?
Short answer? Yes.
I’ve been mixing the powder into her wet food and also giving a bit on its own.
And Chu? She LOVES it. No hesitation at all.
After about three days:
- The blood in her stool disappeared
- She hasn’t thrown up again (yet 🤞)
- And maybe it’s just me, but… she’s scratching behind her ears less
I’m not saying the probiotic cured everything — but I am saying her symptoms improved.
So of course, I went back online to dig even deeper.
🔍 Comparing Cat Probiotics by Core Strains
Turns out, finding all four core probiotic strains in one product is surprisingly rare.
So far, I’ve found only one Korean brand (Goodlab) that has all four,
one promising product on Amazon (Fera Pets),
and the one I’m currently using — Companions Choice.
Here’s how they stack up:
🐾 Comparison Table: Core Probiotic Strains
| Product | Lactobacillus | Bifidobacterium | Streptococcus | Enterococcus | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodlab Probiotics (Korea) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Includes all 4 key strains + diverse formulas + prebiotics |
| Fera Pets Organic (Amazon) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | 3 of 4 core strains + includes beneficial yeast for immune support |
| Companions Choice (Current) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | 2 of 4 strains + Bacillus + vitamin B complex + high palatability |
🧬 Probiotic Strains Included
| Product | Strain Highlights |
|---|---|
| Goodlab | L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, B. longum, S. thermophilus, E. faecium + more (13+ total) |
| Fera Pets | L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. brevis, B. bifidum, B. longum, S. thermophilus |
| Companions Choice | L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, B. animalis, B. subtilis, B. licheniformis |
🧾 Other Key Ingredients
| Product | Prebiotics / Additives | Vitamins | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goodlab | FOS, Inulin, Acacia Gum | None | Focused on gut microbiome support |
| Fera Pets | Organic Inulin, FOS, Gum Arabic | None | USDA Organic certified |
| Companions Choice | MOS, Oat flour, Natural cheese flavor | B1, B2, B3, B5, B12, E | Combo of gut + nutritional support |
🍀 Still a Probiotic Nomad…
Right now, I’m happy with Companions Choice — Chu loves it and she’s clearly doing better.
So yes, I’d recommend it, especially if your cat is picky.
But I’m still curious. So I plan to try:
- Fera Pets Organic from Amazon next, and
- Goodlab Probiotics once I’m back in Korea.
I’m not sure when I’ll find our “forever” probiotic,
but I do know I’ll keep learning, watching, and trying what’s best for Chu 💛
Have you found a probiotic that works well for your cat?
Any other supplements I should know about — maybe joint health in older age?
If you’re a cat parent with tips, I’d love to hear from you in the comments 🐾
📚 Further Reading
If you’re curious to learn more about probiotics for cats and the benefits of different strains,
I found this page really helpful:
