Cat Vitamins for a Healthy Cat
We all know that humans need vitamin and mineral supplements to keep us healthy. The foods we eat don’t always provide us with the best nutrition for the optimum performance and health of our bodies. The same is true for cats. Deciding on how to best supplement your cat’s nutritional needs can be tricky, but here are a few tips that can help you in your decision making.
As I was looking for the answers to my questions about how to be sure I am giving the right supplemental nutrition to Tommy (my cat), I came across information I had not heard about before. It was helpful for me.
As I discussed my concerns with my vet about being sure to give Tommy all the benefit he could receive from supplements, he cautioned me not to go overboard. He told me that just as deficiencies in Tommy’s diet can cause health problems, too much of certain vitamins, particularly in synthetic form, can cause toxicity in Tommy’s system.
Then I learned that there are two different types of vitamins: water soluble and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins, like the B complex and vitamin C are rapidly eliminated through the cat’s urinary tract. They need to be administered to the cat on a daily basis. Fat soluble vitamins, like A, D, E, and K are stored in the animal’s body fat and liver. These require the cat have dietary fat in order to be absorbed into the system. Both these vitamins are an essential part of the cat’s dietary health and for preventing illness.
Several years ago, the government established a Recommended Daily Allowance formula for maintaining health in people. They did the same for pets. However, this RDA does not take into consideration the specific needs of individual pets, nor is its purpose to maintain optimum health. These guidelines are to prevent disease. I want Tommy to be as healthy as possible, not just free from illness. Most pets need more than the RDA.
So where to start? I had to determine the healthiest, vitamin-enriched food for Tommy and then decide on the supplement that was best to keep him his best. I was faced with the option of natural and synthetic supplements. What’s the difference?
Natural supplements are given in their natural form. Synthetics are manmade. What is the benefit of one over the other? In most natural supplements, the main ingredient is accompanied by other components that make that ingredient more effective. When the whole complex works together, the main ingredient is more effective in providing your cat the best advantage.
Does that mean synthetics are bad? No. Synthetic vitamin supplements can be very helpful when an animal is sick. The immediate need can be met and addressed through a synthetic supplement. Synthetics have also proven to be helpful in dealing with cats with allergies, irritable bowel, and epilepsy. Be sure to talk to your vet about what is right for your cat.
When looking for the healthiest, most productive food for your cat, check to see if it is supplemented itself with a few key vitamins and minerals. Look specifically for Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Thiamin (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B6, Niacin (a Vitamin B complex), Vitamin B Coenzyme A, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Biotin (another B complex), and Choline. These added vitamins will help provide a more healthy diet for your cat.
Finding the right food is a challenge in and of itself, because they all have advantages and drawbacks. If you find the food that is right for your cat, but it is missing a certain key element of his dietary needs, consider a natural supplement to help your cat. Pet food manufacturers have been diligent in addressing the dietary needs of the animals they supply for, so you will likely find what you need.
Talk to your vet before you give your cat a supplement. Some times you may particularly want to push for supplements are with cats who have been fed dog food or very low quality cat food over a period of time. These animals are likely malnourished and it may take some extra time and attention to get them healthy again. Also, if you provide a homemade diet, you may consider adding supplemental vitamins to be sure the cat gets everything it needs. As I’ve already addressed, cats with certain medical conditions may also require supplements to regain their optimum health.
I learned a lot as I went on my quest to make Tommy as healthy as he could be. There are a wide variety of natural and synthetic supplement options. There are many factors to consider in your cat’s individual needs and lifestyle. While it is important for you to do your homework and understand your cat, be sure to talk to your vet before starting any supplemental regimen. Your cat’s health is in your hands.
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