Dietary Supplements

Dietary Supplement for Cats

Cat Diet and Nutrition - Healthy Supplements for Cats

Your cat needs the right nutrition if it is to live a long and healthy life. There are some things you may wish to consider when determining whether your cat's diet could benefit from dietary supplements.

Necessary Nutrients for Cats

The bodies of cats are obligate carnivores, which means they can only absorb vitamins and minerals found in animal products. Cats evolved into predators that consume prey that contains a minimal amount of carbohydrates, a moderate amount of fats, and a high amount of protein. Their diet should still mirror these proportions today. Cats also require more than a dozen other nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids for healthy function.

Although your cat needs certain amounts of each specific nutrient to be healthy, just like in humans, more is not always better. This is particularly true of vitamins and minerals, so the use of supplements is not usually necessary if you are feeding a complete and balanced diet. Supplements can be harmful to your cat, and they should never be given without a veterinarian’s approval. 

When your cat is ill, pregnant, or nursing, it may benefit from supplementation. We recommend you speak with your cat's veterinarian before beginning supplementation so that they can determine whether your cat will benefit from additional vitamins and minerals. A combination of vitamins and minerals, and supplementation can help your cat to become healthier, stronger, and less prone to illnesses.

The purpose of some dietary supplements for cats is to prevent or reduce the symptoms of specific illnesses or ailments. There are joint support supplements, supplements for healthy skin and coats, supplements for anxiety or calming, calcium supplements, and probiotics, among others.