How To Protect Your Pet From Giardia

While giardia is more common in dogs, cats can get it too. Unfortunately, giardia can be hard to get rid of, especially in multi-pet households. Giardia can be transmitted by eating, drinking or sniffing the cysts that have been shed from infected animals. It can be very challenging to completely remove the parasite from your pets and their environment. Here are 6 hygiene tips to try to prevent giardia from coming back:

1) Wash your pet and your pet's bedding several times during the first 2 weeks of the treatment period.

2) Use a baby wipe or wet paper towel and gloves to wipe your pet's rear-end after defecation

3) Try to keep your infected pet separated from other pets during treatment. You may want to ask your veterinarian about proactively treating other pets although the medications can be harsh.

4)Be sure your infected pet only urinates and defecates in an isolated area (no grass is best) away from where other pets may go.
ALWAYS wear gloves when picking up stool infested with giardia or parasites/worms and then throw the baggie into another baggie with a tie on top. Immediately pick up the stool if possible. Giardia can set into the ground, concrete etc.

5) After you clean up the area, please use bleach or a cleaning product containing bleach.

6) Wipe your shoes after walking on the infected area.

Power Probiotic for Pets Helps Cats Heal from Giardia

Photo Courtesy of  @PeculiarPanther

 "Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist is an amazing company. They offer only the best supplements, and with a personal touch. They keep in contact and ask how your pet is doing. It's super nice. Hooray for small businesses!

Our favorite product has been their Power Probiotic. Mom tried countless other probiotics for us, but this is the only one to actually give visible results. Marshmellow and I for a time due to healing from giardia, had runny bowel movements that nothing else improved, and the Power Probiotic actually helped firm them up! We highly recommend AskAriel products!"

Marten and Marshmellow @PeculiarPanther

Giardia, a microscopic protozoan parasite, can affect cats, posing concerns for owners, particularly in multi-cat households. This waterborne parasite typically affects the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss in infected cats. In multi-cat environments, the risk of giardia transmission increases due to close living quarters and shared resources. Cats may contract giardia through contaminated water, feces, or surfaces, emphasizing the importance of maintaining hygiene in litter boxes and communal spaces. Regular veterinary check-ups and fecal examinations are essential in detecting and addressing giardia infections promptly. Additionally, preventing overcrowding, providing clean water sources, and promptly addressing any signs of illness can help mitigate the risk of giardia spreading among cats in a multi-pet setting.

How Probiotics Can Help Cats With Giardia

Probiotics can play a beneficial role in supporting cats with Giardia infections by promoting a healthy balance of gut microflora. Giardia disrupts the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea and other digestive issues. Probiotics are live microorganisms, primarily beneficial bacteria, that can enhance the gut's microbial diversity and restore a healthier balance. When administered to cats with Giardia, probiotics help in several ways:

Restoration of Gut Flora:

Giardia infections can lead to an imbalance in the cat's gut microbiota. Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, can help restore the natural balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, promoting a healthier environment for nutrient absorption and overall gut function.

Enhanced Immune Response:

Probiotics contribute to the strengthening of the immune system. By promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, they help modulate the immune response, assisting the cat's natural defenses in combating the Giardia infection. A robust immune system is crucial for a quicker recovery.

Reduction of Diarrhea and Inflammation:

Probiotics have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate diarrhea associated with Giardia infections. By stabilizing the gut environment and promoting a healthy mucosal lining, probiotics may reduce the severity and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Competitive Exclusion of Pathogens:

Probiotics can compete with harmful pathogens, including Giardia, for space and resources in the gut. By establishing themselves in the digestive tract, probiotics create an environment less conducive to the survival and proliferation of the parasite, potentially aiding in its expulsion from the system.

Click here to learn more about how to help dogs with giardia.

Author:  Susan Blake Davis

Originally posted: 1/19/2018

Revised and updated:  2/5/2024