Do the Cats Need Supplements?

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Actually, cat lovers debate on the fact that the feline should be implemented with supplements or not. And the debate not only sparks there but expands to many industries that earn over billions of dollars on it. If their owner has to daily take some multivitamins, why shouldn’t they take them too? But do they really need it?

What is the role of cat vitamins and supplements?

As far as manufacturers are concerned, they advocate that cat supplements should be part of their diet. Besides, they also suggest that animal feed supplements may help the cat to live longer and to linger a healthier living. In order to lean this point of view, some searchers also suggest that the only way to get a healthy cat is to feed it with rich and qualitative food that may contain supplements such as vitamins and minerals.

On the other hand, some researchers point out that supplements are only to be given to the cat if it is sick. As far as it is concerned, it can be said that some veterinarians especially give supplements to cats in order to cure some diseases.

Some searches also suggest that a balanced and complete diet without any supplement can be enough for the cat. These last may even have a better diet than humans. And that supplements are also needed to fulfill the deficiencies.

When to give the supplement to a cat?

If you decide to give supplements to your cat under medical advice, you just have to follow the veterinarian’s advice. Most of the time, these specialists give them supplements when they are unable to absorb some specific nutrients. The problem may then dwell in the small intestinal disease. In that special case, the cat cannot absorb the B vitamins folate and cobalamine. The cat should then be injected with these two supplements.

You should also give supplements to your cats if it is pregnant or nursing. During these periods, they can develop nutritional deficiencies. In order to get the right product for them, you should always ask your veterinarians, especially if the cat becomes pregnant before age 10-12 months.

Most common cat supplements

The most common cat supplement is general vitamins and minerals. It is a kind of single multivitamin product that is dedicated to cats. In principle, they can easily be found in some cat foods. After, there are the essential fatty acids that are the omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. They are needed to keep the cat’s ability, to keep its coat shiny, and to prevent shedding. These fatty acids also contribute to the protection of a cat’s immune system, liver, eyes, brain, and joints. Omega 3 fatty- acids are also known to be beneficial for the heart health boost and the fight against high cholesterol. If you are not of those who agree on the fact that cats should be given supplements, you should be aware of the fact that cat food gathers a lot more omega 6 fatty acids than omega 3 fatty acids. And finally, there are probiotics that are known to be healthy. In fact, probiotics are good bacteria that improve digestive health. Within them, you can see microorganisms such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or the lactobacillus casei. These last are the main ones responsible for the control of the overgrowth of bad bacteria that grow in the large intestine.

Cat supplement or nutraceuticals?

Nutraceuticals are a kind of herbal or natural remedies. Generally, they are categorized between pharmaceuticals and feed additives. That’s why they are considered as simple products to supplement the cat’s natural diet. But in some cases, nutraceuticals are used in the treatment and the prevention of some diseases. In this case, it can be considered a drug. That’s the reason why you should draw the maximum amount of information if you want to give nutraceuticals to your cat. It is not because it is natural that it is necessarily safe or effective.

If you don’t get a concise idea about the right product to give to your pet, make sure to ask your veterinarian’s advice. Between cat supplement and nutraceuticals, the advices are still divergent. And it is not about to be fixed in the near future.