| Do Vitamins and Minerals for cats actually help? | | | | urinary tract infections and vitamin deficiency if fed a |
| The answer is a resounding yes, especially with | | | | diet high in calcium and magnesium, as cats require a |
| vitamin deficiency. | | | | diet low in calcium and magnesium. |
| Your cat could not survive without them. | | | | Fish is high in both of these minerals and you should |
| However, your cat is going to have the same | | | | avoid feeding your cat extra-ordinary high amounts |
| problems with swallowing pills and capsules that you | | | | of fish, even though cats love fish. |
| have, and the same problems with after taste of | | | | Vitamin and mineral supplements will play a major role |
| these forms of vitamins. Undoubtedly you are giving | | | | in preventing vitamin deficiency in your feline, and |
| your cat what you think is the best premium cat | | | | proper supplements are a must for their healthy |
| food. | | | | lifestyle. Vitamin C, for example, is very important in |
| However, the heat that is involved in processing pet | | | | the synthesis of collagen, which is the most |
| foods destroys some of the vital vitamins and | | | | distributed tissue in the body. |
| minerals, and additional vitamins are destroyed while | | | | There was at one time a belief that there was not a |
| the product sits on the shelf or in storage facilities, | | | | dietary need for vitamin C in cats and that they |
| more reasons why you should provide vitamins to | | | | could synthesize their own vitamin C. However, |
| your feline friend. This is also not factoring in that | | | | several recent studies have shown that cats "do not" |
| these pet foods often times lack the essential | | | | produce enough vitamin C and there indeed is a need |
| vitamins and minerals to begin with. | | | | for supplements. |
| There are two categories of vitamins; water-soluble | | | | Your cat is carnivores; which means it requires food |
| and fat soluble vitamins. | | | | that is high in protein that includes certain types of |
| Water soluble vitamins include the B vitamins, niacin, | | | | acids like fat and taurine.Cats will not get enough |
| pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, choline, and vitamin | | | | protein if fed a vegetarian diet. |
| C. If your cat consumes too many of any type of | | | | They must have meat. |
| these vitamins, it will eliminate them through urine | | | | In nature, the mouse that they would catch and eat |
| with no harm to the animal. | | | | consists mostly of muscle tissue which is a main |
| Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin A, D, E, and K. | | | | source of protein and amino acids, bones which are |
| These are vitamins that your feline friend can not | | | | sources of calcium, and hair, consisting of fiber, |
| get rid of through their urine, and these vitamins | | | | certain minerals, and protein. |
| should be closely monitored. If given in excess, they | | | | The inner organs of a mouse will provide your cat |
| could reach toxic levels and potentially poison your | | | | with types of predigested grains of vitamin B and |
| pet. You should always check with your veterinarian | | | | enzymes. One unusual characteristic of cats is that |
| before giving your cat these particular vitamins. | | | | they "cannot form vitamin A from |
| Your cat will also need essential and trace minerals | | | | beta-carotene".Cats are also quite inefficient at |
| such as sodium chloride, iron, calcium, phosphorus, | | | | converting the vitamin niacin from amino acid. |
| zinc, magnesium, and potassium, even though they | | | | Your feline friend may resist at taking vitamins and |
| are a very small part of the dietary balance required | | | | mineral supplements simply because they have a |
| for cats; they will help to ensure good and proper | | | | very hard time swallowing them, but they are |
| health as well as immunities for certain illnesses. There | | | | essential for their overall health. Liquid vitamins may |
| are several very good brands in the marketplace, but | | | | be a much easier way to supplement your |
| again you should check with your veterinarian on | | | | companion, so before you give up, you might want |
| particulars on what your feline may be missing. | | | | to try the liquid form. |
| Male cats, especially, may be subject to developing | | | | |