In humans, supplements help us fill nutritional gaps, address certain health concerns and support our overall health and wellness. The same goes when it comes to cats! They benefit from supplements in many of the same ways us humans do, so it may be a good idea to start incorporating some cat vitamins, minerals and supplements into your feline’s daily diet. Here’s a look at some of the most popular options for your cat.
1: Cat Multivitamins Offer Everyday Support
If your cat’s healthy, she may not need anything extra to keep her out of the Vet’s office. That said, there are no standard macronutrient requirements when it comes to cat food. So, while you may be feeding a diet that’s labeled ‘complete and balanced,’ it could still lack vitamins and minerals your individual cat needs to thrive. And that’s where a multivitamin can help.
Supplementing your cat’s diet with a multivitamin ensures she’s getting a daily dose of the cat vitamins, minerals, and nutrients her body needs to function at its best. It’s an easy way to help your pet, all in one tablet, powder or chew.
Some essential cat vitamins and minerals your multivitamin should include are:
- Vitamin B for energy.
- Vitamin E to support her immune system.
- Vitamin A and Niacin because she can’t produce them on her own.
- Calcium, Phosphorous, and Vitamin D to support bone health.
- Magnesium because it’s important for almost every single body function!
- And more!
2: As Your Cat Ages, Reach For Mobility & Joint Support
Your cat needs strong bones, flexible connective tissues, and healthy joints to stay mobile. As she ages, her body can’t take care of her bones and joints the way it could when she was a kitten. But the good news is, you can help her out with a mobility-supportive supplement.
Here are some of the ingredients that have been proven most beneficial to support your cat’s bones, joints, and mobility:
- Glucosamine keeps joints lubricated for mobility support.
- Chondroitin helps make Glucosamine more effective. Plus, it supports cartilage development.
- Collagen helps with occasional joint discomfort and promotes bone and cartilage development.
- Turmeric supports a healthy inflammatory response that can help with occasional joint-related discomfort.
- And more!
3: Bladder Issues Are Common In Cats, So Consider A Targeted Supplement
One of the most common health concerns a cat faces is urinary and bladder issues. Cats notoriously develop urinary tract issues, urinary crystals, and kidney problems.
Kidney issues oftentimes can give way to more serious bladder and kidney conditions. So, it’s a good idea to support your cat’s urinary and bladder wellness. One way to do so is with targeted supplements.
Some ingredients to look for in a bladder-supportive blend include:
- Plenty of water! Consider mixing your cat’s supplement up in water to ensure she gets a little extra hydration.
- Cranberry is not only good for human urinary heath, but it’s excellent for your feline friend’s urinary health as well.
- Parsley Leaf is a natural diuretic and has been shown to support cat bladder and urinary wellness.
- Potassium may interrupt bladder stone formation, so it’s a good nutrient to look for.
- And more!
4: Help Her Destress With A Calming Supplement
Cats seem like they can handle anything. There’s a reason they’re fabled to have nine lives and are exceptionally courageous. But that doesn’t mean they don’t get seriously stressed out. And when it comes to cats, their stress can manifest as physical health issues. In fact, stress is often a big factor in developing urinary or bladder problems. So, help your cat relax with a calming supplement.
Here are some of the ingredients she’ll find soothing:
- Ginger Root helps with a healthy stress response.
- Magnesium helps her muscles relax, especially if she’s been extra active.
- Chamomile’s great for your kitty’s nerves. It may be your favorite tea, but it can help soothe your cat as well.
- Hemp Seed Extract or Powder helps your cat feel calm.
- And more!
5: Support Her Skin & Coat With Omega Fatty Acids
Healthy skin and coat are essential to your kitty’s daily livelihood. They keep her safe from environmental toxins, help her regulate her temperature, and are a good indicator of her overall health and wellness. One way to help her skin stay healthy and her coat grow strong is by adding an Omega-rich supplement to her daily diet.
There are several different types of Omega Fatty Acids, so here’s a breakdown:
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA, or Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid, are effective for your pet! Your cat’s body can easily absorb and utilize these nutrients over other forms of Omega-3 Fatty Acid like ALA, or Alpha-Linolenic Acid.
- Omega-6 Fatty Acids like LA and AA, or Linoleic Acid and Arachidonic Acid, are essential to your pet’s health. She should consume both forms for optimal health!
- Omega-9 Fatty Acids are an added bonus. They’re not classified as essential nutrients, but they still support your cat’s skin and coat from within.
6: Boost Your Cat’s Immune System With a Dietary Aid
When it comes to keeping your cat healthy, nothing works harder than her immune system. It’s your pet’s first defense against allergens and harmful toxins. So, it’s no surprise that taking a supplement targeted to support your cat’s immune system is worth consideration.
- Antioxidants mitigate against free radicals that can lead to oxidative stress and put unnecessary stress on your cat’s immune system. They make a great addition to any immune system-targeted supplement.
- Amino Acids play an important role in healthy immune function. Adding them to your cat’s diet in supplement form is a great way to help keep her system healthy.
Lysine is a great ingredient to include in human supplements, but it’s especially beneficial for your cat because it helps her immune system protect against common cat health issues.
7: Probiotics Are Good For Gut Health
Taking probiotic supplements is another great way to support your cat’s immune system. The majority of immune function lives in your cat’s GI tract. So, when you target digestive health, you’re also supporting her immune system! It’s a win-win.
Probiotics introduce millions, if not billions, of healthy bacteria to your pet’s digestive system. It helps your pet maintain normal digestion and rebalance the bacteria in her digestive system after pharmaceuticals.
Here’s what you should look for in a feline probiotic supplement:
- Full-spectrum Probiotics: Look for a probiotic blend that contains multiple strains of bacteria. The more variety, the better when it comes to gut bacteria!
- Prebiotics make for a great addition, too. Probiotics are living creatures that need to eat. They feast on prebiotic fiber, and a supplement that contains this fiber can be extra effective!
How To Choose The Best Supplement For Your Cat
With so many options to choose from, how do you pick the supplement that’s best for your pet? Consider the manufacturer, their process, and their ingredients. Make sure you’re comfortable with their products and that they offer transparency into their operations. Beyond that, it’s always best to discuss your cat’s diet with your Vet, and to consider what she’ll enjoy eating the most!
Ask A Professional
When adding to, changing, or supplementing your pet’s diet in any way, always check with your Vet or animal nutritionist. Sure, there’s a ton of great information at your fingertips online, but leave the recommendations to a professional. Your Vet knows your feline and her particular health needs. He or she will also know which supplements are safe for her to take. So before you place your order or add anything new to her food dish, give your Vet a call to get a stamp of approval.
Supplement Format Matters!
Cats are notoriously picky eaters. So it may take some convincing on your part to get your kitty on board with a supplement. For this very reason, supplements come in multiple formats and flavors to entice your furry friend.
- Meat-flavoring is sure to be a hit. She’ll consider it a treat, instead of a supplement, and will hopefully be more likely to chow it down.
- Powders and liquids are ready to add to your cat’s food dish. Just mix them in with her current food and she likely won’t notice anything is different!
- Try hiding supplement tablets in something tasty, if she’s just not having it. While you can purchase ‘pill pockets’ from most pet shops, a hunk of cheese, a piece of meat, or another tasty morsel will likely do the trick! Simply sandwich the tablet inside and feed it to her like a treat.
PetHonesty Cat Supplements
Choose from PetHonesty Lysine-Immune Health to support your feline’s immune system or PetHonesty Digestive Probiotics to help her gut health. It contains 5 billion CFUs of bacteria per serving and is formulated with prebiotics for well-rounded support.
Sources:
https://www.nap.edu/resource/10668/cat_nutrition_final.pdf
https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-vitamins-and-supplements-do-they-work#1
https://www.rover.com/blog/best-vitamins-for-cats/
