A change of food, a stressful week or a course of antibiotics will usually show up at the other end within a couple of days, and most owners would rather help the gut settle than simply wait it out. These soft chews put a daily dose of probiotics into something the animal will actually take, which is the practical difference between a supplement that gets used and a powder that sits in the cupboard.

Probiotics work by topping up the population of helpful bacteria in the gut, which is exactly what gets knocked back by antibiotics, sudden diet changes and stress. The chewable format is what makes them workable for cats in particular, who are famously difficult about anything stirred into food. There are 120 chews per tub, made with natural ingredients and no artificial colours or preservatives, and they suit cats and dogs alike with the amount adjusted for body weight.

• 120 soft chews per tub
• Suitable for both cats and dogs
• Made with natural ingredients
• No artificial colours or preservatives
• Fed daily, as a treat or alongside meals
• Dosed according to body weight

Set your expectations properly. Probiotics support a gut that is already settling; they do not treat illness. Persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, blood or weight loss are matters for a vet and should not be managed with a supplement. Introduce them gradually over several days, keep fresh water available, and give it a couple of weeks before deciding whether they are doing anything.

Who it's for: Owners of cats or dogs going through a food change, a stressful stretch or a course of medication who want simple daily gut support in a form their pet will take willingly.