Giving Cats Vitamins

Dog Breeds

Pet owners want to give their feline companions a long, healthy, and happy life. Many pet owners purchase supplemental vitamins for their cats in the belief that extra vitamins can help boost their cat’s health and longevity. However vitamins for cats are only recommended in specific circumstances.

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Introduction

Pet owners want to give their feline companions a long, healthy, and happy life. Many pet owners purchase supplemental vitamins for their cats in the belief that extra vitamins can help boost their cat’s health and longevity. However vitamins for cats are only recommended in specific circumstances.

Your Cat's Supplemental Needs Depend on Diet

As long as you are feeding your cat a quality commercial diet that has a seal of approval from the Association of American Feed Control Officials, your cat does not need extra supplements and vitamins. These foods contain all of the minerals, vitamins, and additional nutritional support that your cat needs.

If you are feeding your cat a meat only diet, then your cat will need additional vitamin and supplemental support. Cats are true carnivores, but in the wild they also gain extra vitamins by chewing on grasses and other non-meat nutritional sources. To ensure that your cat is receiving all the necessary nutritional requirements from a meat only diet, give your cat a vitamin supplement that contains Vitamin B, calcium, phosphorus, and taurine.

In some cases your veterinarian may recommend vitamin support for your cat. If your cat is suffering from an illness, recovering from an illness, or has become infected with a disease, than vitamins may help your cat during this time.

If your cat has a poor coat, is losing weight, or seems lethargic, consult a veterinarian before you turn to vitamins. Many different types of conditions in cats, such as parasitic infections, can cause symptoms similar to vitamin deficiencies.