Changing your cat's food too quickly? It could do more than just upset their stomach. A new study illustrates how postbiotics combined with prebiotic fibers may help stabilize gut health in cats, which is great news for pet owners and product developers.
Biotic Blends and Feline Gut Health: How to Support Cats During Diet Transitions
Changing your cat’s food too quickly? It could do more than just upset their stomach. A new study illustrates how postbiotics combined with prebiotic fibers may help stabilize gut health in cats, which is great news for pet owners and product developers.
Why Gut Health in Cats Deserves More Attention
While canine digestibility is the predominant focus of research, the rise in global cat ownership has push companies and researchers to take feline gut health into consideration as well. As interest in functional and customized cat food formulas grows, the industry must pay attention to ingredients that support microbiota balancing, especially in periods of stress (such as diet changes or life stress).
The Research: What Happens When Cats Change Diets?
An article published in the journal Animals, authored by the Pet Nutrition Research Center at China Agricultural University and sponsored by ADM, investigated how a blend of biotics could protect feline digestive health.
- Cats were moved from a low protein (33%) to a high protein (40%) diet
- Cats received Bifidobacterium longum CECT-7347 (a heat treated postbiotic) and Fibersol-2 (a prebiotic fiber)
In this study, the authors measured inflammatory markers, changes in gut bacteria, and intestinal barrier function.
What the Results Showed
Cats supplemented with the biotic blend:
- Has lower levels of inflammation markers (specifically LPS, a marker for gut stress)
- A more stable gut microbiome with beneficial bacteria like Blautia
- A balanced pH in the gut to promote digestive comfort
- Reduced levels of harmful bacteria associated with IBS and inflammatory status
- Did not have the gut disturbances or variety of microbes that the supplementation group had (Hooks, S. Patricia (PhD) pp. 89-109)
Safe, Stable, and Globally Accepted
What makes this even more exciting?
- Postbiotics and the fiber is recognized by AAFCO (US), EFSA (Europe), and classified for use in the United Kingdom and the EU.
- Because postbiotics are considered non-living and heat-stable, it can survive the common processes of pet food preparation that occur during extruding and roasting.
- You can formulate it into kibble, wet food, or cat treats easily with no loss of functionality.
Why This Matters for Pet Food Brands
- Today’s pet owners – expect more than just basic nutrition and would like science-based, targeted approaches that meet their pets’ health needs and gut health is the priority.
- With diet switching becoming more frequent (lifestyle changes, food intolerance, vet-recommended protocols, etc.), there is an increased risk of digestive upset and brands using postbiotic-prebiotic blends will demonstrate real differentiation in the expanding pet wellness segment.
- “This is particularly effective with cat supplements and treats,” says Peter Jüsten from ADM, “as cats are picky eaters.”
Final Thoughts
If you are currently formulating for cat health, particularly in functional diets or supplements, biotic blends may be your next breakthrough:
- Research-based
- Globally regulated
- Stable in processing
- Helpful with gut stress sensitivity
- And most importantly – they are formulated with considerations unique to cats.
Are you in need of assistance incorporating postbiotics into your pet nutrition formulation? Contact Food Research Lab for ingredient sourcing, formulation and testing assistance.
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