Looking at all the vitamins and supplements at pharmacies and stores, pet owners often ask this question; should I give my cat supplements?
Well, there is not a clear yes or no to this question.
But generally speaking, some of the supplements ought to be taken while the others better be left out of your cat’s diet.
Let’s see how do they prepare cat supplements and whether we should give them a go.
Making of Commercial Pet Foods
Different companies use their own methods while preparing supplements. Some just consider the cats’ daily nutrient requirements, some undergo feeding trials, and others don’t.
We will have a look at them separately.
Daily Nutrient Requirements
The commercial cat foods are formulated, keeping in view the daily nutrient requirements of cats.
Talking about cat food and cat diet, these guys have a very similar food every day in and out unlike us. We, humans, prefer diversity in our food but cats don’t. This is what kept in mind while the manufacturers are formulating cat food.
Apart from it, it is imperative for the cat owners to look for what is suitable for their cats among all the different cat foods from different manufacturers.
Feeding Trials
Some of the best cat food companies include feeding trials while formulating supplements.
They actually feed the cat with those supplements and then monitor the response and behaviour cats adopt towards them.
While other companies formulate and sell their supplements simply based on the daily nutrient requirements and without ever feeding it to an actual cat.
Life Stage and Life Style
Some of the companies also consider the life stage and lifestyle while the production of supplements.
Different age groups in cats require a different level of each nutrient. Some food companies prepare their commercial food supplements for younger cats which are not suitable for adult or senior cats.
Supplements That you can Consider
Experts always advise cat owners to look for the supplements that have undergone feeding trials. You must consider your cat’s health needs while choosing a supplement for it.
Discuss with your Veterinarian
Another sane thing to do is to always consult your veterinarian before you take home a new supplement. So that the supplements go well with the health and medical condition of your cat, also, your little pal would not develop complications to it.
Choosing a Multivitamin
While going for a multivitamin, what you should beware of is that; if you add those supplements to a complete balanced diet of your cat, they can combine with the already balanced cat food. Such a combination can cause further complications by creating toxicity.
Joint Supplements
To slow down arthritis in cats, certain joint supplements are given. These include a combination of Glucosamine and Chondroitin. What they do is lubricate cat’s joints and cartilage repair.
However, the use of these supplements would not eradicate arthritis or change the structure of bone. But what it can do is; support in joint function.
Other than this, there are numerous other joint supplements, so don’t forget to consult your veterinarian while making a choice.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 can be another useful supplement for your cat that can support the functions of multiple organs of your cat. You can consult your veterinarian on how much of it to give to your cat.
Supplements to Keep your Cat Mentally Sharp
Antioxidants such as Vitamin E and C can help in the mental well-being of your cat. You can consider some other supplements too to keep your cat mentally sharp.
Common OTC Supplements to Stay Away From
A few Over-the-Counter supplements are in everyday use by the owners for their cats and dogs. However, some OTC supplements need to be left alone because of the harm they can cause. Let’s have a look at them.
5-HTP, Vitamin D, and Iron
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is one of the toxic supplements to give to a cat and can cause seizures, high body temperature and even death.
In the case of Vitamin D, the amount matters the most. The overdoses of Vitamin D can cause kidney failure for your cat within the time of 24-48 hrs.
People also ask: Can I give my cat iron supplements?
Well, it can be another fatal supplement, and its amount needs to be regulated very carefully.
Conclusion
In a word, you can use certain supplements owing to your pet’s medical condition. However, Veterinarian’s advice is highly recommended.