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Best Probiotics for Cats

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
Published:  November 18th, 2021

Probiotics for cats help maintain healthy gut flora and can support your pet’s overall immune system, in addition to helping with a range of gastrointestinal issues. There are various formulas and options out there, so read on to learn which probiotics are the best fit for your cat’s needs!

The benefits of probiotics for humans are many, but what about cats? Can our pets benefit from good bacteria in their digestive tract? Probiotics for cats are a great way to introduce beneficial bacteria to regulate their gastrointestinal and overall health. Microorganisms in the gut help with various issues, from minor disturbances such as upset stomach to more complex problems such as weaker immune systems. Unfortunately, most cats don’t have a diet and lifestyle that leads to thriving gut flora.

In the wild, our pet’s ancestors would get everything they need from their prey, including good (and bad) bacteria. That’s not always the case with commercial pet food, so there’s sometimes a need to introduce cat probiotics separately to regain balance and heal their digestive system. There are various types of probiotics for cats out there, from different formulas to different delivery methods- we’ve handpicked the best probiotics for cats to make your choice easier.

1. Editor’s Choice: VetriScience Laboratories – Probiotic Everyday for Cats

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Formulated to support normal GI tract function and digestion, this daily supplement for cats helps maintain a healthy digestive tract, reduces gas and bloating, stops stress-induced diarrhea, and improves immune system function. VetriScience Laboratories – Probiotic Everyday for Cats comes in the form of bite-sized chews, so it won’t be a problem for your cat to consume; in fact, many kitties will view this supplement as a tasty treat, even those considered to be picky eaters. Each duck-flavored chew contains over 100 million CFU of patented, highly stable GanedenBC probiotics that are readily available and pack a potent punch for fast and noticeable results. A good choice for everyday use or to prevent an upset tummy during stressful situations such as vet visits or moving!

2. Runner Up: NutraVet Probiotics for Dogs and Cats

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If you’re worried about administering probiotics to your cat, your safest bet is to get one that is easy to mask and sneak in their regular food. NutraVet Probiotics for Dogs and Cats comes in a form of liquid drops that can be given directly or added to wet food or kibble- and your pet will be none the wiser! In addition to being convenient to use, this pet probiotic also boasts impressive efficiency and potency. It contains 20 different good bacteria strains which means that it delivers a whopping 5 billion CFU. Fast-acting, this liquid cat probiotic is absorbed quicker by your cat’s body, making it a good choice for urgent situations or sudden bouts of diarrhea or constipation as well as for regular use. NutraVet Pet Probiotic Drops are made in the USA by a GMP-certified facility.

3. Customer’s Choice: Purina Fortiflora Cat Probiotic Powder Supplement

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Easy to use, tasty to cats, and efficient at what it does- Purina Fortiflora Cat Probiotic Powder Supplement is popular for good reason. This powdered cat probiotic will help with diarrhea in cats and kittens alike, promote healthy digestion, and as it is fortified with antioxidants, it can also boost your pet’s immune system. The probiotic is easy to dose and serve- one packet of liver-flavored powder should be sprinkled over your pet’s food each day and they’ll get all the benefits of probiotics thanks to the proprietary microencapsulation process for enhanced stability of live active probiotic cultures in the supplement.

4. Best for Diarrhea: VetOne Advita Powder Probiotic Nutritional Supplement for Cats

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Bouts of diarrhea are not just unpleasant but can be dangerous for your pet. Whether the diarrhea is acute or chronic, it can lead to dehydration, poor absorption of nutrients, and further health issues. VetOne Advita Powder Probiotic Nutritional Supplement for Cats helps your pet get normal stool consistency once again, as well as support their digestive health in general. This is achieved thanks to 4 live, active cultures and prebiotic inulin, including a minimum of 200 million total colony-forming microorganisms in each packet. The unique formula makes this probiotic powder highly efficient and quick-acting to boot. Micro-encapsulated for better stability, this cat probiotic supplement also contains vitamins A, C, and E to give your cat’s immune system a boost, as well.

5. Best for Constipation: Vetrinex Labs Cat and Dog Probiotics with Digestive Enzymes

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Chronic constipation is no fun- often affecting senior cats or those suffering from certain medical issues, constipation can be painful, frustrating, and downright dangerous if not treated on time. With the main goal of restoring balance back to your cat’s GI tract, Vetrinex Labs Cat and Dog Probiotics with Digestive Enzymes combines the two most powerful digestion aids into one formula. Digestive enzymes support nutrient absorption and improve digestion, while a potent blend of 7 carefully selected species of beneficial bacteria will quickly restore gut balance and help normalize your pet’s stool and regularity. Potent and highly efficient, this powdered probiotic contains 3 billion CFUs per scoop- and it’s easy to sneak into food, too.

6. Best for Allergies: Strawfield Pets Cat Probiotics

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Cats with allergies, especially those that have food sensitivities, often have issues with gut flora. Some research suggests that a thriving, diverse gut microbiome could mean fewer allergy symptoms, and the best way to populate your cat’s gut with beneficial bacteria is through probiotics. Strawfield Pets Cat Probiotics have a unique formula that combines multiple beneficial ingredients that help the immune system, digestive health, and promote healthier skin and coat- all of which are issues that allergic cats struggle with.

With 5 strains of bacteria and 2 billion CFUs, this supplement is more than able to soothe your cat’s upset stomach and improve their gastrointestinal health, whereas wild-caught Alaskan salmon oil adds a boost of essential fatty acids needed for reduced itching and skin dryness. To top it all off, this probiotic supplement is also fortified with L-lysine, an amino acid essential to cats, which supports their overall health and improves their immune system. While all of these ingredients were enough to impress us, our felines might not be as enthusiastic about these chews- which is why there’s catnip in the formula to make this supplement irresistible to any feline who needs them.

7. Best for Kittens: PetAg Bene-Bac Plus Pet Gel

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Kittens are very fragile, particularly bottle-fed orphans. For a kitten, diarrhea or gastrointestinal upset could even be fatal, so it’s crucial to react quickly and make sure that they pass stool normally. PetAg Bene-Bac Plus Pet Gel is easy to dose and administer and can even be given to kittens as young as newborns. You can administer it directly or smudge over your pet’s paw and they will lick them on their own. The probiotic gel contains a concentrated live culture of seven fat encapsulated microorganisms found in the intestinal tract of small mammals that produces 20 million CFU of viable bacteria per gram. As a result, this supplement will quickly and efficiently stop diarrhea in kittens and normalize their digestion. A lifesaver- literally!

8. Best for Hairball Relief: Get Naked Furball Relief Soft Treats for Cats

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Cats are avid groomers, but that comes with one major side-effect: hairballs. While, usually, it doesn’t take much for the hairballs to pass normally with the stool, sometimes the hair builds up in the gastrointestinal tract which causes issues such as coughing, vomiting, or even constipation. Get Naked Furball Relief Soft Treats for Cats are formulated to prevent this from happening by utilizing natural dietary fiber, flaxseed, prebiotics, and probiotics in their treat formula. The patented beneficial bacteria strain Gained BC30 will support healthy digestion and stool regularity, and with the addition of natural oils, it will be easier for your cat to pass hair when they go potty. Also, it doesn’t hurt that this supplement comes in the form of a chicken-flavored treat that felines are bound to go bananas for!

9. Best for Anal Glands: Glandex Cat Anal Gland Sac Fiber Supplement

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While most cats can express their anal glands without assistance, sometimes, their dietary habits can make matters more complicated and cause inflammation or even infection. Naturally, in most cases, this can be remedied when gut health improves, and probiotics are a great way to do just that. Glandex Cat Anal Gland Sac Fiber Supplement is formulated specifically to target issues that precede anal gland problems. The supplement includes pumpkin seed, omega fatty acids, probiotics, and digestive enzymes blended together for a potent effect. Its formula is optimized to cause bulkier and firmer stools that will naturally express the glands on the way out- it ain’t pretty but it gets the job done.

10. Best for Older Cats: Dr. Bill’s Feline Digestive Support

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Packed with a handful of natural ingredients, this probiotic for adult and senior cats provides their bodies with essential pre- and probiotics to re-establish a healthy digestive system.

Ideal for adult and senior cats, this digestive supplement can help get your cat’s digestive system back on track. By using high quality natural ingredients like ginger root, lemon balm and psyllium husk, this powdered supplement’s unique formula aids in digestion, absorption, optimum nutrient utilization as well as microflora health.

Made in the USA and regulated by the National Animal Supplement Control (NASC), the Dr.Bill’s Feline Digestive Support pre- and probiotic supplement is both veterinarian-developed and recommended.

11. Best Duck Flavored: Pet Naturals of Vermont Daily Probiotic for Cats

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Designed to help normalize your cat’s digestive functions, these great tasting, veterinarian formulated chewables use pure, potent ingredients to keep your cat happy and healthy.

This popular probiotic was formulated by veterinarians and has been approved by NASC to provide your feline friend with essential immune system support. These delicious tablets are made without the use of wheat, corn or artificial ingredients and feature a tasty duck flavor that your cat will go crazy for. Just one chewable a day guarantees 100 million CFU’s to the gut and supports healthy gut flora, digestion and regularity.

12. Best 3-in-1: Clear Max Probiotics for Cats & Dogs

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This high potency liquid supplement can be used on pets of all ages and sizes to provide their digestive system with not only essential probiotics, but prebiotics and enzymes as well.

Suitable for both cats and dogs, this Clear Max Probiotics sports a unique formula. Instead of having a cupboard filled with different supplements, this product uses an organic blend of prebiotics, probiotics and enzymes to help your furry friends absorb more nutrients, soothe stomach discomfort, and optimize their digestion.

This product is made without the use of GMOs, sugar, or hormones and can be given to your pet directly, or mixed in with their food or water.

13. Best for Multi-Pet Homes: Nutramax Proviable Health Supplement

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Filled with a handful of different probiotic species, these capsules deliver 5 billion CFU’s to help keep your cat’s intestines happy and healthy regardless of what’s happening in their day-to-day lives.

The Nutramax Proviable Health Supplement contains a whopping 7 strains of key beneficial bacteria to help restore intestinal microflora balance. Whether your four legged friend has experienced stress due to travel or a change in diet, these sprinkle capsules support gastrointestinal health in not only cats, but dogs as well, making this a good option for multi-pet homes.

14. Best Value: PetUltimates Probiotics for Cats

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One small sprinkle of this powdered supplement and your feline companion will benefit from reduced shedding, firmer stools, and a more pleasant smelling litter box.

With 5 billion CFU’s and twenty different types of probiotic bacteria per scoop, this PetUltimates probiotics powder is a top contender. Not to mention, each container provides you with 120 servings, making this a great value buy! It’s ultra-concentrated formula is made in the USA and certified at a GMP lab to provide your pet with digestion support, as well as protect the colon against mucosal inflammation and infections due to yeast or toxic bacteria.

15. Also Consider: NUSENTIA Probiotics for Cats & Dogs

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Best suited for pets dealing with constipation, diarrhea, gas, sensitive stomachs or recovering from an antibiotic therapy, this tasteless powder promotes a healthy gut and natural digestion.

It’s not uncommon for older cats or other animals dealing with specific medical issues to have to deal with discomfort caused by constipation. If not treated, this can become a potentially dangerous issue.

This Nusentia Probiotics powdered formula is packed with 120 billion CFU per jar and is made without the use of fillers, flavors, gluten or dairy. When mixed into food, this powerful formula is undetectable, leaving behind no odor or flavours.

Benefits of Probiotics for Cats

A healthy gut is important not just for digestion, but for your pet’s overall health. When there aren’t enough good bacteria in your cat’s digestive system, it can trigger a host of issues ranging from vomiting, gassiness, and diarrhea, to skin and coat issues and a weakened immune system. This is why many pet owners decide on supplementing probiotics and prebiotics in their cat’s diet. Most cat diets based on regular commercial pet food don’t offer enough fiber and live probiotics your cat’s body could utilize, so unless you are feeding a specific diet for digestive issues, you would have to introduce probiotics separately. Here are some of the main benefits of probiotics for cats:

  • Improvement in appetite- often much needed for seniors and kittens
  • Stool stabilization- helps with constipation and stops diarrhea
  • Re-balances gut flora after a course of antibiotics
  • Can help support an optimal immune system
  • Can improve quality of life for cats with IBD, infections, or food sensitivities
  • Easier passing of hairballs
  • Soothes upset digestive tract in stressful situations

Of course, as is the case with any supplements or changes in diet, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian first. They know your pet’s medical history and can advise you what works best for their unique needs and save you a lot of trouble in the long run. This is particularly important if your pet has chronic digestive issues, as it’s crucial to eliminate any serious underlying issues that could be causing the symptoms- those that would require extensive therapy rather than probiotics.

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Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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If you have noticed that your dog’s sleep quality is reduced, or that they have begun to snore heavily, there might be an unusual reason behind it – the shape of your pet’s head! Snoring problems can be quite common for many dogs, but they are most often seen in brachycephalic dogs – basically, dogs with flat faces. For example, this is the key characteristic of the  French Bulldog, one of the world’s most popular breeds. In the USA, and in Hungary where the research for these claims was conducted, the goofy little French Bulldog holds the place of the number one most common pet dog breed. And that means that some health-related issues, stemming from their flat-face appearance, are coming into the foreground. Their shortened skulls and brachycephalic morphology result in sleep problems, snoring, difficulties with breathing, and deteriorative brain morphology changes. According to the latest  study by a Hungarian research team, flat-faced dogs tend to sleep more because their breed suffers from sleep apnea and thus their daytime sleepiness is increased. Thus, their REM (deep) sleep phase is much longer than their non-REM sleep, while the EEG patterns in their sleep indicate signs of white matter loss. And while some owners across the world see these Bulldogs and their extremely flat skulls as an attractive or unique feature, it is, nonetheless, a major health hazard. These breeds, for example, the French Bulldog, the Pug, and the English Bulldog tend to live around 3 to 4 years less than other dogs, and in many cases, they don’t even live to adulthood.Some will even have to undergo surgery to correct their musculoskeletal, respiratory, and eye problems, which can cause them a lot of problems throughout their lives. To make matters worse, the rounded and short skull of these dogs results in a distorted and rounded brain, which could affect neural functioning.All this resulted in the Hungarian team’s extensive research into the sleep of these breeds. They studied the sleep of 92 dogs, using EEG. "In the sleep lab, dogs spend about three hours with their owners. As nothing exciting happens, the dogs fall asleep quickly. Meanwhile, we conduct the electrical potential generated by the brain activity with electrodes glued to their scalps," says Anna Kis, who is considered a pioneer in the study of sleeping dogs and a researcher at the HUN-REN Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology. "We wanted to investigate whether flat-faced dogs sleep differently from other dogs, as they are known to suffer from oxygen deprivation due to respiratory problems and therefore have poorer quality sleep. We found that the flat-faced dogs slept more in the three hours given to them during the study. More daytime sleep is probably compensation for insufficient sleep at night.”Ivaylo Iotchev, the first author of a study of dog sleep patterns that was published in the Journal of Brain Structure and Function, adds "In the present study, we found that brachycephalic dogs had decreased beta waves and increased delta compared to dogs with longer noses. The frequency of sleep spindles increased. This pattern has previously been associated with poorer learning in dogs and loss of white matter in humans."He also adds "There may be several reasons for our results. The most interesting of these is that it seems as if the flat-faced dogs have retained the sleep pattern of puppyhood, similarly to newborns who spend more time in REM sleep.”If you own a brachycephalic dog and have been seeing a lack of quality in their sleep, these studies might provide the answers you are looking for – your pooch’s genetics might be to blame for their poor sleep.

Scientists May Have Found a Better Way To Trim a Cat’s Nails

Trimming a cat’s nails is often a daunting affair for everyone involved. Most cats should have their nails trimmed every two to three weeks. Failing to do so leaves you and your furniture at the mercy of your kitty’s sharp claws.Specially designed to be smaller, cat nail clippers or scissors are commonly used to trim a cat’s nails, but they can be difficult to handle, especially if your cat doesn’t want to cooperate or is anxious. Additionally, there’s always a risk that you’ll end up scratched, bitten, and bleeding.This is where science can come in handy! Researchers from the University of California, Davis, are working with Sacramento SPCA to make nail trimming less stressful for cats and their owners. Jennifer Link, a Ph.D. student at the University of California, Davis, Animal Welfare Epi Lab, is working on a multistep protocol designed to desensitize the cats to handling and nail clipping. In mid-July, Link started to visit the Sacramento shelter five days a week for two hours to work on socializing rescued and surrendered cats to help them adjust to new people, situations, and environments. By the end of September, she had worked with more than 70 cats. “When people hear that I study cats, many ask if I can help them with nail trims,” said Link. According to Dan Marple, the animal welfare manager at the Sacramento Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, this research is vital to staff, donors, and volunteers because it can reduce the stress caused by nail trimming.“Any new protocols that increase the comfort and safe handling of the cats in our care will also improve their overall well-being and adoptability,” he added. Link’s research is promising because it incorporates cooperative care. This means that cats are allowed to decide how much they want to interact with the handler during the training process. Depending on their willingness to participate, the cats go through one of three scenarios with Link: a handling-only training protocol, a handling and nail-trimming protocol, or a control with no training and only a nail trim. Each interaction is recorded to be analyzed later. On the days when Link visits the shelter, the cats are removed from their cages and brought to a quiet room where Link is waiting, with a mat laid out before her. If a cat puts their front paws on the mat, they are given treats and cuddles. The idea is for cats to learn that Link interacts with them only when they put their paws on the mat. Once the cat leans this, Link proceeds with training protocols. Slowly, Link touches the cat’s legs, then the paws, and then the paws are gently squeezed. If the cat doesn’t resist, one nail is trimmed. The protocol builds on past steps and works up. When a cat goes through all the steps, they get a nail trim. If a cat doesn’t place their paws on the mat or rejects any step, Link stops the handling.“I think with cooperative care, it does seem to almost improve their trust in me,” Link explained. “They are more comfortable if we let them decide.”This research could make nail trimming at home much more comfortable for the cats and their owners. It can also decrease the number of visits to veterinary hospitals and clinics, where owners often seek help trimming their cats’ nails. The researchers still need to analyze the video sessions to finalize the protocol. And if the protocol is deemed helpful, they will share it with other shelters for more data.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Possible Cancer Vaccine for Dogs in the Works

Mark your calendar because May 2024 marks the end of a 5-year clinical trial that may put an end to many canine cancers.

Why Does My Dog Paw or "Dig" His Food Bowl?

Sometimes, dogs can behave straight out quirky. The range of their weird behaviors varies from chasing their tail and scooting on their but, to “pawing” or “digging” food, which sort of looks like they’re burying their kibble but they’re not really doing anything. Have you ever seen your pooch trying to fake bury his food by pawing at it? Don’t worry, the behavior might look odd at the very least, but it’s not a reason for concern. Here’s what dogs that dig, bury, or paw their food are trying to tell you with this behavior.Why Does My Dog Paw or "Dig" His Food Bowl?Dogs may exhibit pawing or digging behavior around their food bowl for various reasons, and the interpretation can depend on the individual dog. By closely observing your dog's specific actions and considering these factors, you may gain a better understanding of why they engage in pawing behavior. Keep in mind that individual differences among dogs can lead to variations in behavior, and what holds true for one dog may not necessarily apply to another. Still, there are some common explanations that hold true for most situations when “pawing” is in question.Too Much Food Served:In the wild, dogs might use their paws to cover or bury their food to protect it from other animals or to save it for later. This behavior could be a residual instinct from their ancestors – if they eat a bit and then paw at their bowl before leaving the meal, it means that they are trying to stash the surplus away for later. Try downsizing their portions to see if the behavior goes away. Scent Marking: Dogs have scent glands in their paws, and pawing at the food bowl might be a way for them to mark the area with their scent. This could be a territorial behavior and might be seen in households where there are several dogs present. Excitement or Anticipation: Dogs might get excited about mealtime, and pawing at the bowl could be a way of expressing anticipation or eagerness for their food. This is especially true if they are eagerly pawing the ground even before the food has been served. These dogs can often be voracious eaters as well, so to prevent them from snarfing up their food in seconds, try utilizing a  slow feeder for dogs to promote a more appropriate pace of eating and prevent bloat and other digestive issues due to lack of chewing and fast eating.

Neutering Rottweilers May Shorten Their Lifespan, Study Finds

Increased lifespan is often cited as one of the main benefits of neutering a dog. But is that true? A recently published study found neutered Rottweilers may have a shorter lifespan than their intact counterparts. Neutering is a commonly performed surgical procedure that prevents unwanted puppies, controls the pet population, and eliminates certain health problems in dogs. It offers significant health benefits, such as reduced risk of pyometra and mammary tumors in female dogs. However, in recent years, concerns have been raised about the possible side effects of neutering. A recent study aimed to shed some light on this topic by comparing the lifespans of neutered and intact male and female Rottweilers. Scientists analyzed available clinical records of 3,085 intact and 4,100 neutered Rottweilers from July 1994 to June 2021. These records were collected by VetCompass Australia. The analysis provided surprising results. Scientists discovered that Rottweilers that were neutered before one year of age had a shortened lifespan of one-and-a-half years in males and one year in females when compared to intact Rottweilers. The analysis showed similar results for dogs neutered before the age of four-and-a-half years. “Most other studies have found that neutering dogs increases their longevity but ours is the first that went against that,” said Dr. Caroline Joone, the study’s lead author and senior lecturer at James Cook University in theriogeneology. “It was a bit of a shock when that wasn’t what we found,” Dr. Joone added. “We were fortunate with the data we had because we could determine when a dog was desexed and when they died.” Despite the study’s findings Dr. Joone strongly encourages owners to neuter their four-legged companions to prevent unwanted litters, as well as, serious health issues. “There are serious consequences for not neutering a dog, such as the risk of life-threatening uterus infection known as pyometra, mammary tumors, and unwanted puppies,” Dr. Joone explained. At this time, it’s unclear whether there is an ideal age to neuter a Rottweiler that doesn’t influence their lifespan. The study also highlighted several factors that could affect the lifespan of any dog, including nutrition, exercise, health care, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors. These factors may be reduced by screening for genetic health conditions. Selecting healthy breeding pairs may also help reduce the occurrence of hereditary disorders and support longevity. Let’s not forget that overweight dogs have a shorter life span than lean dogs. “There’s a strong suspicion that the reduced lifespan is more to do with weight issues than the neutering itself, so I would encourage owners to go ahead and neuter their dog but make sure you keep it at a good, healthy weight.”Dr. Joone explained that a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential for maintaining a healthy weight in neutered dogs.Do these findings apply to all neutered dogs or just Rottweilers? Scientists aren’t sure yet but plan to extend their research to other popular breeds, such as golden retrievers and greyhounds, to determine whether these results are widely applicable. The role of weight gain post-neutering and other underlying causes of reduced lifespan in neutered dogs are worth investigating further. Additionally, this study also showed that the time of neutering a dog may affect its lifespan. Dogs are often neutered between six months and one year of age, but mounting evidence has suggested that this may not be the best time to neuter a dog. Based on this analysis, neutering Rottweilers early, especially before the age of one, reduces lifespan, highlighting the importance of determining the optimal neutering age. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Golden Retriever Nurses African Painted Dog Pups Rejected by Their Mom

The Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, recently welcomed a litter of eight endangered African painted dog puppies. After a rough start, only three puppies survived thanks to an unlikely surrogate mother - a golden retriever named Kassy.The Potawatomi Zoo announced that the pair of their African painted dogs, Bleu and Maurice, had a litter of eight puppies born in late September. However, it was soon clear to the care team at the zoo that the pack would not be able to raise the puppies successfully.“Bleu, an inexperienced mother, was not caring for her pups the way she should have, and Maurice was following her lead,” said the zoo. In their natural habitat, African painted dogs live in large packs with unique vocalizations and social dynamics. All adult dogs in the pack work together to help feed and raise the pups. The success of the birth and raising of the pups can be endangered if the pack doesn’t work together as they should. “We knew within 24 hours that we had to separate them,” the zoo’s executive director, Josh Sisk, told the South Bend Tribune. The zoo’s animal care staff consulted with the African Painted Dog Species Survival Plan (SSP), a group of zoo professionals who form the breeding plans for this endangered species in accredited zoos across the United States. The staff at zoos usually try to remain uninvolved, letting the packs raise the puppies as they would in the wild. This approach is often successful and helps the pups learn the complex social structure of their species. However, in this case, the decision was made to intervene and hand-raise the litter. Instead of bottle-feeding the puppies, the SSP recommended finding a surrogate dog to nurse the puppies. Within a few hours, the Indiana Council for Animal Welfare connected the zoo with a golden retriever named Kassy, who recently had a litter of puppies and had milk to spare. Kassy and her litter arrived at the zoo a day after the painted dog pups were born and immediately accepted them. The zoo’s staff watched as Kessy nursed and cared for the pups as if they were her own.“It was a crazy first month,” Sisk said. “Our team was there for four weeks, 24/7. We had a mattress next to the dogs.”The zoo’s veterinarian and care team worked around the clock to ensure that all of the puppies, including Kassy’s litter, were getting enough food and time with Kassy. However, despite everyone’s efforts, not all of the African painted dog pups survived. Four weeks after the litter was born, only three puppies remained. The surviving pups were named Blue, Red, and Orange for the colors staff used to track them since they were born. Originally, the zoo planned to reintegrate the pups with Bleu, Maurice, and Colby. However, the adult dogs didn’t show a positive interest in the pups, so the plan was changed. The zoo decided to build a home for the pups next to adult dogs, so they could still learn how to behave like painted dogs. Once the puppies get older they can either be integrated with Bleu, Maurice, and Colby or moved to another zoo.“Blue, Red, and Orange have had an unusual and challenging start to life, but the zoo hopes they will have a bright and successful future,” the zoo shared in a release. “These three healthy, active pups are just the start of this story and the zoo hopes to share more positive updates of their milestones in the future.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Drug That Could Extend Lifespan of Senior Dogs Enters Clinical Trial

A new and revolutionary drug that could possibly extend the lifespan of healthy, senior dogs, is now entering a major clinical trial. It also has a first patient - an 11-year-old Whippet named Boo. Going by the codename LOY-002, this drug is designed to provide a few more years to senior dogs of most sizes. It is the product of a startup biotech company called  Loyal and is the fruit of their hard work and arduous research. Celine Halioua, the founder and CEO of Loyal, said that the company is working hard to develop several products aimed at the longevity of dogs. One of their initial projects, the LOY-001, was a drug aimed to extend the lifespan of giant and large dog breeds. In November of 2023, this project received the support of the FDA, paving the way for the company's further successes. The underlying mechanisms of aging were the first focus of the company as it developed LOY-001. The drug works by reducing IGF-1, an insulin-like growth factor that is a key biomarker hormone that drives cell growth. It is believed that this reduced the lifespan of extra-large dogs. Similarly, the LOY-002 project aims to extend the lifespan of normal-sized dogs, by improving their metabolic health and thus delaying the onset and the impact of diseases that come with old age. “LOY-002 is a slightly different mechanism [than LOY-001] for senior lifespan extension. It’s a little bit more of a reversal mechanism. It’s not going to make a 10-year-old dog a puppy, but we’ve seen a rescuing in age-related functional decline in dogs that have been treated with this drug,” said Halioua in an interview with  dvm360.The newest study for LOY-002 is expected to last 4 years, and include one thousand enrolled dogs. “It will be one of the largest veterinary clinical studies that, as far as we know, has ever been run,” added Halioua.The first ever receiver of the drug, Boo, was enrolled into the program in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at the Animal Hospital of Dauphin County. There, an associate veterinary and STAY study investigator, Coby Rudakewiz, became a part of the program for the first time, witnessing its incredible potential. “I’m genuinely excited to be able to share what we’ve seen as a life-changing product to dogs of all sizes,” he said.“This is what it’s all about - keeping dogs feeling their best to enjoy a long life with their owners who love them.”“The launch of this study brings us one step closer to helping senior dogs have more, healthier years with their families…The scale and complexity of STAY reflect Loyal’s commitment to creating demonstrably effective and safe products,” Halioua added. “This is a massive undertaking that wouldn’t be possible without the partnership of the many veterinarians and technicians operating the study in their clinics, and the participating dogs and owners helping advance therapies for all dogs.”For the time being, the company is working hard to receive conditional approval for its revolutionary drug. This would allow them to begin offering it through veterinarians as soon as 2025. This could mean a world of difference for many senior doggos and their families. Seeing your senior doggo enjoy a few extra years without the issues common to old age is nothing short of true happiness, and would mean that the company’s hard efforts were not in vain. Ultimately, this innovative drug gives us hope for the future and makes us wonder what other ground-breaking drugs could we see in the years ahead.

Staff Sergeant Reunites With His Former K-9 Colleague

A retired military dog named Blek, got reunited with his former colleague Staff Sergeant Thomas Watkins, who used to be his handler at a duty station. Blek, who was named after the old English term for “black” or “inky” had quite a reputation among the handlers. Trainers who worked with the canine described him as challenging and tough to manage. But everything changed when Blek met Watkins. In an interview, Watkins told Good Morning America about his experience meeting Blek for the first time.“That was the issue that they were having,” said Watkins. “And so my kettle master pulled me in his office and was like, ‘Hey, man, I know you’re a new handler. But I feel like you’re up to this challenge.’”As the master predicted, Watkins and Blek bonded immediately.“We just connected right off the bat,” Watkins told the Good Morning America. “We truly understood each other… Another handler was out there with me, and he was like man like, ‘I just never seen this dog be so affectionate towards someone.’”Since the day they met, their relationship has grown stronger, making them suitable to carry out missions as a team at the station. “It’s such a beautiful experience, especially when you get a dog that has issues…And then you connect with that dog, and you get that dog to where they need to be. It’s such an awesome and rewarding experience,” explained Watkins. “The rest of the two and a half years that I worked [with] him from deployment to secret service missions all over the world, we had no issues whatsoever,” he added. Unfortunately, the time Blek spent with his handle ended when Watkins got transferred to another station. Blek was left behind to work with other handlers who found the task challenging. According to Carlton Isaacson, a former military dog trainer, things weren’t looking good for Blek.That’s when Project K-9 Hero got interested in Blek’s case. According to their site, this non-profit organization wants to honor military working dogs and police K-9s in retirement. The organization’s purpose is to provide assistance with medical costs, adoption, rehabilitation, food, and end of duty services to provide the best quality of life and to give these four-legged heroes the retirement they deserve. Speaking highly of the non-profit, Isaacson said the project “was a game changer” adding, “They were able to provide him everything that he needed to be safe.”Thanks to Project K-9 Hero, Watkins was able to adopt his old four-legged friend.“I’m so thankful for those guys out there that they were able to take him and hold him until I got to a place where I can truly take care of him and allow him to just be a dog on his retirement,” said Watkins.In addition to allowing him to adopt Blek, Project K-9 Hero had another surprise for Watkins - the organization will cover all of Blek’s food and veterinary care costs for the entirety of the dog’s life. Talking about his feelings about this special reunion, Watkins said: “I am overwhelmed with happiness. That dog is dear to my heart and he made me the handler and trainer that I am today…It looks like [Blek] hasn’t skipped a beat. He’s happy. He looks healthy and I am just glad to be here right now.”“I’m so thankful for that dog, and that’s why I’m excited to actually bring him home with me to live out his life.”It’s heartwarming to see these two heroes reunited and ready to face new adventures together, as a team. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Jolly Pets’ Annual “#WeGiveaJolly” Campaign Helps Shelter Dogs

Jolly Pets is the brand behind innovative, durable, and unique pet toys that are made entirely by domestic manufacturers – and every holiday season, they make an effort to spread joy, kindness, and love to all the pooches in need. This season, collaborating with 19 influencer ambassadors, they are once again heading their # WeGiveaJolly charitable campaign. Starting from November 28th until December 25th, Jolly Pets will donate a high-quality toy for every single purchase made. The toys will go to rescue dogs at 19 animal shelters in the USA, each represented by the influencer ambassadors, as announced by the marketing director of Jolly Pets, Louisa Casto. "The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better way to make a difference in the lives of shelter dogs than through the power of play and companionship. Jolly Pets understands the importance of providing joy and comfort to dogs awaiting their forever homes, and # WeGiveaJolly exemplifies our commitment to this cause," said Casto. "We believe that every dog deserves love, care, and happiness regardless of their circumstances. That's why we're excited to kick off our annual # WeGiveaJolly campaign, collaborating with compassionate ambassadors and animal shelters to make a real difference in a dog's life."This campaign will bring true holiday cheer across the country, especially to rescue dogs who are in dire need of some love and compassion.The ambassadors, shelters, and locations are as follows:@guidingeyesfortheblind for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Yorktown Heights, NY@goodasgoldens for Canine Companions, Sacramento, CA@Jack_the_Sleeper for Fort Worth North Animal Care and Adoption Campus, Haslet, TX@moosethegoldenretriever for Rescue Village, Russell Twp., OH@cheriethesurfdog for Frenchies United Rescue, Claremont, CA@incredibullstella for Animal Help Alliance, Las Vegas, NV@iheartpgracie for Animal Care Centers of NYC, New York, NY@2rockstarlabs for Crossed Paws Animal Shelter, Woodsfield, OH@koda.laredo for Hoosier Bulldog Rescue, Indianapolis, IN@posies_pocketful_of_praise for Pickens Humane Society, Liberty, SC@ziggy_loving_life for Home Fur Good Animal Rescue, Phoenix, AR@maligator_apollo for PAWS Chicago, Chicago, IL@remingtonpup for Great Pyrenees Rescue Society, Spring, TX@gvl_golden_girls for Dog Squad, Greer, SC@enzo.and.bella for Friends of Detroit Animal Care & Control, Northville, MI@benny.n.lola for Humane Society Silicon Valley, Milpitas, CA@leuleu_theblue for the Pet Alliance Sanford Shelter, Orlando, FL@the.hero.dogs for Hot Mess Pooches, Homer, IL@fosterkittenhq for The Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Arlington, VA"By participating in Jolly Pets # WeGiveaJolly campaign, our customers are not only providing joy to their own pets but also extending that joy to shelter dogs waiting for a loving home. It's a small act of kindness that can profoundly impact these dogs' lives," Casto said. "We encourage using the hashtag # WeGiveaJolly on social media to encourage friends and family to participate in this heartwarming initiative."To learn more about the # WeGiveaJolly campaign and to shop for Jolly Pets' durable and innovative pet toys, visit  https://jollypets.com/pages/wegiveajolly-annual-toy-drive.

The Unseen Threat: Dangers of Secondhand Smoke for Your Pet

Most people are well aware of the dangers of smoking. They understand what smoking does to their bodies and know the potential health risks of lighting up a cigarette. But did you know that exposure to secondhand smoke may have serious health consequences for your pets?It’s no secret that smoking is bad for people. In the United States, between 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths are linked to cigarette smoking. Secondhand smoking is also linked with an increased risk of other forms of cancer, such as breast and colorectal cancer, heart and respiratory disease.Studies have shown that more than 50% of bladder cancer cases in humans are caused by cigarette smoking. A recent study involving Scottish terriers found a link between cigarette smoke exposure and bladder cancer. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in dogs, and many pooches are diagnosed with some form of this terrible disease. Although many factors may predispose a pet to cancer, research shows that passive smoking is a main danger.Scientists from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University discovered that Scottish terriers who were exposed to secondhand smoke at home were six times more likely to develop bladder cancer than those who were not routinely exposed to smoke.Passive smoking is also linked with nasal cancer in dogs. This type of cancer is often diagnosed in long-nosed breeds such as collies, greyhounds, and borzois. The increased surface area in their nasal canals traps inhaled particles, allowing carcinogens from tobacco smoke to accumulate in the nasal mucus. As a result, long-nosed dogs are at a greater risk of developing tumors in their snouts. On the other hand, brachycephalic or short-nosed dog breeds, such as pugs and French bulldogs, are more likely to develop lung cancer. Their short noses aren’t as effective at trapping inhaled particles and allow more carcinogens to reach the lungs.Being exposed to smoke increases the risk that your dog will develop cancer, but that’s not all. Pooches that live with smokers are more likely to develop asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems.Dogs aren’t the only pets to suffer the consequences of inhaling secondhand smoke on a daily basis. Cats, birds, and small critters like guinea pigs and rabbits are also at risk.Cats that live with smokers are more likely to develop asthma and lung cancer. Felines that inhale secondhand smoke regularly also have a higher incidence of malignant lymphoma.  Studies have found higher nicotine concentrations in the hair of cats living with smokers than those living in smoke-free homes. The same is true for dogs living with smokers, no matter whether their owners smoked inside or outside. Cats are famous for being fastidious groomers, but licking the fur puts them at risk of ingesting even more toxic particles from secondhand smoke than simply inhaling them. Felines that groom excessively can develop oral tumors from licking toxic particles off their fur.Secondhand smoke alone isn't responsible for all health problems seen in cats and dogs. Diet, genetics, lifestyle, and exposure to other potentially toxic substances in the environment combined affect the pet’s overall health.Owners concerned with the well-being of their four-legged companions should be more aware of the air quality in their homes and make necessary lifestyle changes.Choosing to smoke outside can minimize some risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke. Improving ventilation, opening the windows, and using air filters can help too. However, it’s important to note that even a low exposure to secondhand smoke can be harmful to your four-legged companion.Quitting smoking is hard, but knowing how secondhand smoke affects your pet’s health may motivate you to put down that cigarette once and for all!Join the PetGuiJoin the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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