Vitamins for cats - what vitamins should you give your cat?
The basis for the healthy functioning of a cat is a complete and balanced diet containing all the necessary nutrients in proportions suitable for the animal in question.
What vitamins are the most important for a cat?
Vitamins for cats are extremely important not only in the context of his health, but also his well-being. The most important of them are fat-soluble: A, D, E, K, as well as B vitamins. It is worth knowing what functions each vitamin performs:
- Vitamin A in the case of cats should be administered in its active form, that is, as retinol. Its main task is to maintain visual acuity, but it is also one of the vitamins for the cat's coat, which is especially important in the case of long-haired and show purrs. The correct amount of this ingredient in your pet's diet contributes to the good condition of his coat: shiny, pleasant to the touch coat. Vitamin A in the form of retinol is found in animal products;
- Vitamin D is responsible for proper bone structure, which is especially important for kittens during the growth period;
- Vitamin E is responsible for the proper functioning of the digestive and reproductive systems. It is also one of the vitamins for cats to strengthen muscles and general immunity of the body, and it also has antioxidant properties;
- Vitamin K is responsible for proper blood clotting;
- B vitamins are responsible for the good functioning of the urinary system (especially the kidneys), nervous system and heart muscle.
An interesting fact is that vitamin C for a cat is not a mandatory component of the diet, because the cat’s body can synthesize it on its own. However, this substance has a strong antioxidant effect, so it is one of the important vitamins for older cats and should be present in the food they are given.
Proper nutrition and vitamins for cats
The basis of each cat’s diet should be complete, ready-to-eat food containing 100% of the necessary nutrients in proportions that are optimal for the cat’s body. Vitamins for cats are just such substances. In addition to them, minerals are important (mainly calcium and phosphorus, iron and zinc). Essential ingredients in your cat's diet also include omega-3 and omega-6 unsaturated fatty acids, which prevent inflammation, fight free radicals and support nervous system function. Fats are a source of energy for the cat's body; they also have a positive effect on stimulating the cat's appetite, because it is their smell that is most attractive to purrs.
When talking about healthy cat nutrition, we must not forget about proteins, which are the main building blocks of the body, as well as one of the main (after fats) sources of energy. An extremely important amino acid is taurine. Its task is to maintain the proper functioning of the nervous system and heart. Taurine is an exogenous ingredient for cats—the only way a cat can obtain it is by providing it through its diet. The animal's body does not synthesize this compound on its own from other ingredients.
Taurine and other proteins are found in animal products. Cats are absolute predators, so their diet must include such ingredients. However, this does not mean that plant-based foods are prohibited for cats. They also provide the pet’s body with valuable nutrients, including: dietary fiber (fiber), which affects the proper functioning of the intestines. All these compounds - both animal and plant origin - are found in optimal proportions in complete animal feeds. Preparing your cat's food yourself is not impossible, but it does require the caregiver to have considerable knowledge in the field of nutrition. So you should trust nutritionists who do their work in accordance with the recommendations of higher authorities, such as the European Federation of the Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF) and the Waltham Institute of Animal Science.
With a complete and balanced diet, the cat no longer needs additional nutritional supplements. These types of products may be recommended in exceptional cases, for example, when the animal has a disease, is pregnant or is nursing kittens. Sometimes it is also advisable to give vitamins to an older cat. In the above exceptional situations, the drug given additionally to the pet must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Adding supplements to your cat's diet on your own is not recommended as the practice may be counterproductive. Excessive intake of vitamins can be toxic to your pet. Likewise, deficiencies in your four-legged diet can have unpleasant consequences for its health, so it is worth using a proven diet consisting of complete dry and wet food. For cats, the recommended feeding method is based on wet foods (90% of the weight of all meals served during the day). This is because purrs, descended from desert ancestors, tend to drink too little. Therefore, the main way for them to hydrate the body is to consume foods with a high moisture content.
It is worth remembering that proper nutrition, taking into account all the necessary nutrients, such as vitamins for a cat, not only maintains the health of the four-legged one, but also allows it to function in good physical shape (slender figure, shiny coat) and build a positive relationship with its guardian. Healthy nutrition is the key to your pet’s health and happiness for many years of his life!
