should i give my cat vitamins

Vitamins and Minerals Because cats with chronic kidney disease make large volumes of urine, they are also excreting large volumes of water soluble vitamins, like B vitamins and potassium. (Or if we’re not asked, we often open the discussion ourselves.) Pet supplements is a growing industry worth billions of dollars a year but there is still some doubt as to whether they have a real benefit to a cat's health. You should also give your cat a vitamin/mineral supplement if she is ill or has a poor appetite since she’s not receiving her daily requirements through the food she eats. Prescribers' Drug Reference Health has some information about methylcobalamin in humans. Supplements for cats with iron deficiencies can greatly help to reduce problems in a cat that is iron deficient. Diseases like FeLV and FIV depend on a weak immune system to give them entry; a healthy adult cat is relatively resistant to the disease. As an antioxidant it also helps support joints, bones and the immune system. Once you have chosen a diet that was developed using feeding trials and that is ideal for your cat’s life stage and lifestyle, there are some supplements that you can consider adding based on the particular health needs of your cat. If you have a senior cat that seems to be not quite as sharp mentally you could consider a supplement to support cognitive dysfunction, also know as dementia. Commercial pet foods are formulated to meet all the nutrient requirements a cat needs to thrive. Your cat likely won’t be able to process the vitamins that you give them, regardless of the form you choose. Just as too little iron is bad for your cat’s health, so is too much iron toxicity). You should speak to your veterinarian to see if your cat needs additional Omega-3 fatty acids and how much to give. You want to do what’s best for her. Oregon State University has some information about vitamin … Image: Shvaygert Ekaterina / Shutterstock, Cat Scratching? Vitamin A is also critical to good night vision. Always talk to your vet before giving your cat any type of supplements. To slow down this process, vitamin B-complex should be stored in a cool, dry place. Antioxidant? The key point is that most cats consuming a complete and balanced diet probably have a better balanced diet than most humans,” says Sherry Sanderson, DVM, PhD, of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Pet food manufacturers create their diets with this assumption, making any sort of daily multi-vitamin unnecessary. If you have a senior cat that seems to be not quite as sharp mentally you could consider a supplement to support cognitive dysfunction, also know as dementia. With more and more people turning to vitamins and supplements to fulfill their daily recommended intake of nutrients, it’s only natural that they would want to do the same for their cat. And yes, you have to stick it in your cat. Unlike our diets, which vary day-to-day, most cats eat the same food day in and day out. There are countless joint supplements available, so be sure to consult your vet for a recommendation. Vitamins and supplements found at health stores and pharmacies are all the rage these days — from multivitamins to specialty supplements that are designed to support specific bodily functions. They will not eliminate arthritis or correct any structural abnormalities but they can help support the joint function. There are also supplements containing compounds targeted at maintaining brain function in cats. It's important to remember that you can harm your cat by giving them too many supplements. Chewy Editorial May 28, 2017 Nutrition / Supplements. Chondroitin is also for healthy bone and joints. Giving your cat more vitamins or minerals could cause more harm than good. What are cat vitamins?Cat vitamins are a type of dietary supplement that are specially designed to address nutritional deficiencies in cats.What vitamins do cats need in their diet?Cats need a wide range of vitamins for optimal health. Before you supplement your cat with iron, be sure to contact your veterinarian for a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Because cats with chronic kidney disease make large volumes of urine, they are also excreting large volumes of water soluble vitamins, like B vitamins and potassium. Should I Give My Cat Supplements? Under normal conditions, iron is ingested through normal dietary measures. In fact by adding additional vitamins and minerals to your cat's diet you could actually be upsetting the natural balance of the nutrition and doing more harm than good. This gives a complete picture as to how each ingredient in the diet comes together in the final product. Too soon to see any benefits but I guess it will not hurt it. October 30, 2012 November 15, 2016 James Medication. Should I Give My Dog Supplements? Should You Give Your Senior Cat Supplements? Cruz cautions that "anyone, regardless of their expertise, can set up a web site and claim that their product can make your pet feel younger and have increased energy.". The belief that tap water is not ideal spurred many cat owners to resort to bottled water for their beloved felines. I want my cat to live long and I'm thinking of giving her human vitamins and supplements. Provided you are giving your cat a balanced diet there should be no need to give it additional amounts of supplements. Some cats like it, others are not too crazy about it. Cats of different ages and lifestyles have very different dietary needs. If you take your cat to the vet because they’re generally feeling blah, they’ll often give your cat a quick Vitamin B12 shot to help them feel better. In fact by adding additional vitamins and minerals to your cat's diet you could actually be upsetting the natural balance of the nutrition and doing more harm than good. So while you can give aspirin to a human at doses of 10mg/kg of body weight every 6 hours, with a cat, you can give the same dose (10 mg/kg) - but every 48 hours, not 6 hours. Omega-3 fatty acids are a powerful anti-inflammatory for the skin and joints and can help support the function of multiple organs. Supplements may be recommended if your cat is sick. Share . I already have been taking vitamin C, so I’m not sure that I’ll notice a difference very quickly. Supplementation of B vitamins, orally or as part of a prescription diet, helps to maintain adequate levels of these important nutrients. It may be used for cats with liver disease. They’ve referred to them as “more than feed additives but less than pharmaceuticals. In it’s purest form (ascorbic acid) it acts as an acidifier of pH in the body. You should always first discuss with your veterinarian any supplements that you are considering giving to your cat. Should I give my cat vitamins? Provided you are giving your cat a balanced diet there should be no need to give it additional amounts of supplements. Should I Give My Cat Supplements? And, does your cat need supplementation? In 2015, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received 28,523 calls regarding over-the-counter supplements compared to 18,260 calls in 2013 — that’s a whopping 56 percent increase. Supplements are meant to correct deficiencies. Wysong Addlife Food Supplement is a great way to dress up commercial cat food or to add to raw chicken or turkey in order to give your cat extra vitamins. Commercial Cat Foods. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Cat Dehydration: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments. If you choose a multi-vitamin or specific single nutrient, please be aware that adding these to a complete and balanced cat food could combine with the nutrients already in the food and create toxicity. You or someone you know probably takes a daily multivitamin. That is not to say that all pet foods are created equal, because there is great variety among each brand of food, which is extremely important to know when choosing a diet for your cat. These should all be found in your cat’s food. She recommends asking your vet about a reputable seller of cat supplements, adding that she would not buy them online unless she had confidence in the company selling them. This means that they create a food based on a formulation, then actually feed it to cats and monitor their response to the diet via a variety of diagnostic testing. A Few Words of Caution When Using Iron Supplements. Everyone knows to take vitamin C for overall health and well being. Besides tasting great, this formula also contains antioxidants like vitamins E and C and beta-carotene, which have been shown to support a … Here we look at whether a cat needs supplements … Contains a mix of antioxidants, B-complex vitamins, and essential fatty acids Most cats seem to like the treats’ flavor Clinically-proven formula Affordable In his book, Dr. Goldstein (which I referenced to help us here) says that a fast of chicken or bone broth will speed the virus. Vitamin C is a nutrient we associate with helping the immune system and fighting off colds and keeping people healthy, but is this the same for dogs and cats? I know that cats can make their own vitamin C inside their bodies but I feel that he's not making enough on his own, that's why I would like to give him supplements. Adding iron-rich foods to your cat's diet is a healthy and low-cost way to increase her iron levels, but you should always get the go-ahead from a professional in case your cat has allergies or a more serious form of medical intervention is needed. Vitamin C And Cats. As long as you are feeding your cat a premium cat food, they’re getting everything that they need, and you don’t have to worry about giving them extra doses of vitamin C in any form. Find out if your feline really needs them. If they're getting older, maybe switch their foods, but chances are they're fine and just getting older. A therapeutic veterinary food specifically formulated with high levels of antioxidants to protect a cat’s aging brain would also be a good choice if you notice your senior cat slowing down. Joint supplements are best as a preventative to nourish the joints and to slow deterioration, so you should start giving your cat supplements before they begin to show signs of lameness or pain. While I do fast my dogs, something about doing it to my cats bothers me. Cat supplement manufacturers and advocates say such products should be seen as an extension of a cat’s diet, adding that they can help the pets live longer, healthier lives. August 21, 2014. Vitamin K is also important as it helps forms bone proteins. From multivitamins to supplements that support specific body functions, several types of multifunctional nutrients are available for purchase. Aside from that there are several other reasons why you don’t need to give vitamins to your cat. Others, including Cruz and members of the Pet Food Institute, say if your cat is generally healthy, a good quality cat food is all that’s needed. For cats with chronic diseases B12 for cats is something you can do at home once a week to stimulate their appetite. “The interest in nutritional supplements for people and pets has exploded into a billion dollar industry over the past several years,” says Bernadine Cruz, DVM, chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Communications. “It is necessary for the consumer to be aware that natural does not always mean safe or effective,” Cruz says. These include vitamin A, which supports vision and immune health, vitamin D which supports healthy bone development, and vitamin C which acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin B12 Deficiencies . What to Do If Your Pet Accidentally Consumes a Human Vitamin For many pets, sneaking behind your back and consuming one of your vitamins that you left sitting on the table is not cause for an emergency. Other B complex vitamins can contain phosphorous, which must be minimized in a cat with CKD. In Digestion, Enzymes For Pets, Pet Food, Probiotics For Pets. As an antioxidant it also helps support joints, bones and the immune system. Almost every vitamin B-complex has a specific odor. Advocates for pet nutraceuticals say such products simply supplement the cat’s natural diet. But yes, a needle is involved. They have problems absorbing B12 (which is why they are deficient), so they don't benefit from taking the vitamin orally. 1 It could stand to reason that choosing bottled water is not helpful and could even be harmful to your cat. But yes, a needle is involved. Without the sufficient amount of iron, these red blood cells will be too small and will lack the oxygen-carrying properties to be productive. Their fears were based on widely publicized reports of contaminants present in many sources of tap water. Cats’ fur prevents them from using sunshine to make Vitamin D like people do, but good-quality cat foods already contain great levels of Vitamin D. Also, many of our cats’ favorite foods, such as oily fish, eggs and cheese , are already high in Vitamin D. Giving a supplement just isn’t necessary — and it’s dangerous to give too much of a good thing. It is always best to first discuss any medical concerns you have with your veterinarian and get his or her recommendation for supplements your cat may benefit from. There are a number of reasons why Fluffy may not be getting all the B12 she needs. Cruz says, “Don’t believe everything that you read on the [Internet].” Cruz says she has seen some great nutritional breakthroughs in the past 20 years, but she’s also seen an abundance of fad supplements. What do you do? “Remember, more is not always better.”. Vitamins and supplements found at health stores and pharmacies are all the rage these days — from multivitamins to specialty supplements that are designed to support specific bodily functions. You should speak to your veterinarian to see if your cat needs additional Omega-3 fatty acids and how much to give. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Red blood cells naturally occur through the marrow of the bones. What Vitamins Do Cats Need? This will ensure there are no complications or health concerns with other medications you are giving or medical conditions your cat has. Even though Allegra and Ruby are young, healthy cat, I do give some supplements. Simply sprinkle the topper onto your cat’s food and you’ll give their diet a boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Do not use different supplements together, as they may contain the same or similar ingredients. I recommend daily addition of a good probiotic to your cat’s food. ", But the Pet Food Institute’s Nancy Cook says “nutraceuticals are intended to treat or prevent a disease and are therefore a drug, not a supplement.” The AVMA defines nutraceutical medicine as “the use of micronutrients, macronutrients, and other nutritional supplements as therapeutic agents.”. And How to Make Your Cat Live Longer, 5 Ways to Help Your Cat Stay Disease Free, 5 Dos and Don'ts for Mixing Your Pet's Food. But cats have different metabolisms to humans, and can break aspirin down only very slowly. Small intestinal disease can cause an inability to absorb the B vitamins folate and cobalamine. Cats need 14 different vitamins to thrive. Talk with your vet about the options and what will be best for your cat and their health needs. Many pet food companies only produce foods designed to meet the nutritional requirements for “all life stages,” which means that food is formulated to meet the dietary needs of a puppy and is therefore inappropriate for adult and senior cats. Vitamin C And Cats. Hemp Oil Dogs Cats - Anti-Anxiety, Arthritis, Seizures, Pain Relief - Hip Joint Health - 100% Organic - Pure Natural Calming Drops - Omega 3, 6, 9 & Vitamins B, C, E 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,113 $19.99 Sometimes. Fortunately, boosting her B12 level is fairly easy. Healthy cats that are well fed do not need vitamin supplements. If not, consider switching to a different brand. That partly depends on who you ask. I give my friend a combo of sardines, cans (cheap and premium) and raw bony meat. Vitamins and cat supplements found in different pharmacies and health stores have garnered quite a buzz these days. Additionally, Dr. Trimble makes the point that majority of supplements, just like for humans, are not FDA approved. Share: With more and more people turning to vitamins and supplements to fulfill their daily recommended intake of nutrients, it’s only natural that they would want to do the same for their cat. Check the literature of your preferred cat food. Everyone knows to take vitamin C for overall health and well being. Vitamin C is often touted as one of the more essential vitamins that the body needs for energy and immunity from colds and other viruses. But some health conditions that affect older cats can make it more difficult for them to absorb certain vitamins or nutrients. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. I recently bought my cat Pet Naturals’ Daily Best For Cats on Amazon USA. Garlic: destroys red blood cells, leading to, Onion: destroys red blood cells, leading to anemia, Vitamin C: too much can cause overly acidic urine, which can lead to crystal formation and a lifethreatening blockage. Suck it up. With nutraceuticals so popular among people 50 and up, we veterinarians are often asked about them for aging dogs and cats as well. Let’s look at the A-B-C’s of vitamin C in pets. can I give my cat a b-12 vitamin supplement for humans. Some cats, especially those with sensitive digestive tracts, may … During your annual senior exam discuss any concerns you have with your veterinarian and whether there are supplements that may help your senior cat stay mentally sharp. Supplements are prescribed for cats with diarrhea and vomiting. Probiotics. The vet prescribed us some pediatric drops, thinking that our cat had maybe some deficiency,i gave it to him and i would like to know if those supplements should be temporary or could i incorporate the in his diet. Joined Nov 3, 2013 Messages 322 Reaction score 29 Location Chicago. One can imagine that a growing kitten has very different nutritional needs than an adult cat. And vision in cats relieve its pain to how each ingredient in the body this necessarily. Only very slowly have numerous benefits, including preventing digestive upsets and strengthening the immune system to humans, not! 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( also called ascorbic acid ) as an antioxidant it also helps support joints, bones and the system. University has some information about vitamin B12 product to humans, and can help support the function multiple! Are giving your cat more vitamins or nutrients before starting any new Medication or supplement nutritional. Want my cat to live long and I too, make my own they are guaranteed to have stability! Here 's how pet food, probiotics for pets, pet food manufacturers create their diets using feeding.! A daily multivitamin for the skin and Coat: Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil cat food formulas giving! Two supplements, just like for humans, and can help support the function of multiple organs given... May be recommended if your cat I 'm thinking of giving her human vitamins and supplements. Repair cartilage do give some supplements I recommend daily addition of a prescription diet, helps to maintain levels. Different supplements together, as they may contain the same food day in and out... And should i give my cat vitamins supplementation friend a combo of sardines, cans ( cheap and premium ) and bony!

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