Mary Allen
With these dietary supplements, you can make cat food particularly nutritious without risking a dangerous overdose.
Although the finished cat food from the specialist shop usually contains all the important nutrients, it can still be useful to include food supplements in the food. Some are suitable for every cat, others primarily meet the needs of old or sick cats. Even if you prepare your cat’s food yourself, the right supplements can help.
Overdosing is dangerous!
An overdose can be just as, or even more, harmful to your cat than a deficiency. Play it safe: It is always advisable to consult a veterinarian or a nutritionist for cats when it comes to nutritional questions.
Taurine is Essential for Cats to Survive
Cats need to get enough taurine from their food, which is usually possible with food from specialist retailers. Raw meat contains more taurine than cooked meat: If you cook the cat food yourself, you can add taurine to the food to be on the safe side.
Taurine can also be fed to any cat relatively safely in the form of additional snacks. No effects of overdosing on taurine have been identified as of yet, as the body simply excretes the excess.
Additional Vitamins
Cats cannot produce vitamin A themselves and must be able to meet their needs through food alone. This vitamin is important for the health of your eyes, teeth, bones, and skin. However, care should be taken with dietary supplements: an overdose of vitamin A damages the liver, especially in older cats.
Since the need for vitamin C in cats increases with stress, illness, and old age, an additional dose of the vitamin can make sense in these cases. Since the body excretes the excess of vitamin C, an overdose is not to be expected.
Vitamin E is important for strengthening the immune system. That’s why special senior food for cats often contains a lot of it. Caution: Although vegetable oils are considered good sources of vitamin E, they are less well tolerated by cats.
Do Not Overdose on Minerals
Cats need calcium – especially during growth. If you prepare the cat food yourself, you need to be well informed: Supplements in the food may be necessary to cover the cat’s calcium requirements. Phosphorus strengthens ligaments and tendons. This nutrient is usually adequate in store-bought cat food – self-cookers must add it to the ration.
An overdose of calcium and phosphorus puts a strain on the kidneys. Therefore, pay attention to a balanced calcium-phosphorus ratio.
Cat Grass and Malt Paste
Cat grass helps with digestion – especially if you’ve swallowed hairballs while brushing. Indoor cats should have access to a pot of special cat grass.
Malt paste is also useful for digestion: the fiber helps bind fur and feed, making it much easier to move them through the intestines. But be careful: Malt paste contains a lot of sugar and fat. Therefore it is only suitable for slim cats and should not be given daily.
Brewer’s Yeast and Biotin for a Healthy Coat
Brewer’s yeast provides the cat with various vitamins and minerals. However, an excess here is also unhealthy: It puts strain on the kidneys and leads to an overdose of calcium and phosphorus, which are contained in brewer’s yeast.
For the cat, biotin is important for fur and claws. Normally the cat gets enough of it from the food. However, long-haired cats may have an increased need for biotin. Excess biotin is excreted by the body, so an overdose is very unlikely.
Salmon Oil Keeps the Circulation Going
The omega-3 fatty acids contained in salmon oil are good for the heart and circulation. Salmon oil capsules are available in pharmacies, pet food shops, or drugstores. They are opened before feeding and given over the cat food.
Although the fishy smell of the oil often has an appetizing effect on cats, it should not be given to the cat too often. It’s best to talk to your vet about this.
Mussel Extracts for Cats
An extract from the green-lipped mussel can be useful for strengthening the connective tissue and thus also the muscles and tendons. This is available in capsule or tablet form, which can be very finely chopped and mixed with the cat food.
Cat Milk is Nutritious
Special cat milk should not be considered as a drink, but as a feed, as it is very nutritious. Almost every product available in specialist shops is rich in proteins and also contains minerals, vitamins, and trace elements.
Speak to a veterinarian or a feline nutritionist to find out which supplements are right for your cat. In this way, the cat food can be upgraded in the best possible way.