As a cat owner, you have the best interest of your pet at heart. However, it can be hard to figure out what your cat needs, other than the necessities like food and water. If you want to take better care of your cat, consider if it is getting enough vitamins in its day-to-day diet.
Vitamin supplementation is only recommended for cats with absorption problems or deficiencies resulting from a poor diet, pregnancy, disease or allergies. A blood test will identify these deficiencies and inform which vitamin supplements you will need.
In most cases, a properly fed cat will have the nutrients it requires to function without over relying on supplements. Where these are absent, or in case of a poor diet, supplementation is advised.
First, you should identify which types of pet vitamins and supplements are needed. A cat fed on a balanced diet is unlikely to have a vitamin deficiency.
However, some have absorption issues, while others have health problems that put them at a higher risk of vitamin deficiency. For such cats, supplements can be just what is needed for a healthy, happy and long life.
The following are six different vitamins your cat needs:
1. B-Complex Vitamins
The B-complex vitamins comprise a group of eight vitamins, which work to convert food into energy. They also have slightly different roles in the body. B Vitamin deficiency may lead to low energy, poor coat condition, itchiness, poor appetite and loss of motor control, which leads to seizures and possibly death.
The eight B vitamins include Vitamin B12, Vitamin B9, Vitamin B7, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B1. Cats suffering from kidney and heart disease require more B Vitamins compared to healthy cats.
2. Vitamin C
Cats don’t necessarily need Vitamin C in their diet since their livers produce it on their own. However, some veterinarians say that most cat’s livers don’t function properly, and vitamin C supplementation is advisable.
Vitamin C supplementation for healthy cats acts as an antioxidant, which supports the immune system, metabolizes iron and attacks free radicals.
Cats with liver dysfunction can benefit greatly from Vitamin C supplementation. Because vitamin C slightly adds acidity to the urine, it can help reduce the formation of struvite crystals. For cats prone to calcium oxalate crystals, vitamin C supplementation is not recommended.
3. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is responsible for regulating the phosphorous and calcium balance in your cat’s body. It also helps to retain calcium. These processes promote muscular and nerve control along with healthy bone formation.
Excessive intake of vitamin D may lead to severe health problems because the excess tends to accumulate in the liver and fat.
Some of the symptoms that indicate your cat is ingesting too much vitamin D include joint issues, weight loss, excessive drooling, increased urination, increased thirst, loss of appetite and vomiting.
Very few cats need vitamin D supplementation as a properly balanced diet contains all the vitamin D it needs.
4. Vitamin A
While herbivorous and omnivorous animals can obtain Vitamin A from beta-carotene in plants, cats get this vitamin from animal products. The most abundant stores of Vitamin A are found in an animal’s liver, where it exists as retinyl palmitate.
Vitamin A has antioxidant properties that defend the body from disease and is essential for skin, vision and coat health.
If a cat ingests too much Vitamin A, it may exhibit symptoms that range from skin inflammation to lethargy. However, instances of overdose are rare. Deficiency of this vitamin is also rare, which means few cats need supplementation.
5. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is naturally present in the fatty tissue, animal liver and plant fats. It helps in the formation of the cell membrane, cell respiration and fat metabolism.
Vitamin E deficiency can result in cellular damage throughout the cat’s body. Although loading up your cat with lots of Vitamin E is not a good idea, it is safe even in large quantities.
Supplementation of Vitamin E can go a long way in keeping your cat’s coat and skin healthy. It’s sometimes recommended as a cold-weather supplement to curb wintertime dryness.
6. Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays an essential role in supporting healthy blood function, specifically blood clotting. A deficiency of this vitamin is rare. It rarely happens as a result of dietary problems.
Most vitamin K deficiencies are due to Warfarin toxicosis, which could occur if a cat eats rat poison. Vitamin K deficiency may lead to anemia, internal hemorrhaging and, in some instances, death.
If your cat has ingested rat poison or has Vitamin K deficiency for any other reason, give it a week or more of Vitamin K therapy. Otherwise, vitamin K supplementation outside the standard dietary fortification isn’t considered helpful.