All-round care: nutritional supplements for cats
To ensure that our velvet paws live up to the saying "as supple as a cat" and feel good all around , nutritional supplements can provide valuable support.
What are food supplements?
The European Food Safety Authority defines food supplements as follows: :
"Nutrients in concentrated form (e.g., minerals and vitamins) or other substances, with nutritional or physiological effects. They are produced in "dosed" form, such as powders, tablets, capsules or liquids."
Important nutrients for cats in dietary supplements.
The be-all and end-all of a healthy cat is its diet. It is important for us to mention: Nutritional supplements (also called supplements or additives) can never replace a needs-oriented and high-quality feeding.
Because basically good cat food provides our house tigers with all vital nutrients. The prerequisite is that the food is declared as "complete food". Nutritional supplements are, as already evident from the word, supplements that are intended to cover an - for whatever reason - (increased) need.
What nutrients can be supplemented?
A variety of nutrients can be provided to the cat through supplements. These include:
- Taurine
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Trace elements
- Amino acids
- Fatty acids
Multiple effects of supplements in cats
Supplements for cats are usually administered to change a certain condition or to maintain it. Different modes of action can be named:
- Protect
- Support
- Prevent
- Alleviate
- Regenerate
- Cleanse/Detoxify
The PERRO 3-Pillar Supplement System
PERRO divides the various substances of the food supplements into 3 categories:
| Food Supplements | Orthomolecular | Phytomolecular |
|
Food supplements are
a supplement to the
conventional diet. They are intended to ensure an optimal supply or to help prevent a deficiency state if necessary. |
These are
substances (molecules) that
our four-legged friends absolutely need
and that also occur naturally in the body
. These include vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids and essential fatty acids. They all support the body in many ways with vital processes. |
Phytomolecular refers to
herbal medicine. Herbs and plants have been used successfully in medicine for centuries. The diverse and positive properties of plants and herbs are well documented. And this knowledge also benefits our animals |
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Sensible and important food supplements for cats
Many vitamins, minerals and other supplements are essential for the health and well-being of the cat . Used and dosed correctly, they can help to optimally support the body and have a preventive or soothing effect.
Appropriate supply: Vitamins
Vitamin A supports the function of eyes, bones, teeth and skin. Cats cannot produce it themselves, which is why it must be supplied through food. Be careful with the dosage in older cats. Too much vitamin A can damage the liver.
In old age, stress and illness , the need for vitamin C increases in cats. The cat can produce vitamin C itself , but a supply via food is recommended due to the low "production quantity". Overdoses are not known, as the body simply excretes superfluous vitamin C again.
The sun vitamin vitamin D is also relevant for cats. Bones, intestines and kidneys depend on the vitamin . It is also an important factor in the regulation of the calcium and phosphorus balance. A deficiency in cats leads to rickets, an excess to arteriosclerosis (calcified vessels). Especially in indoor cats, a vitamin D deficiency is often found.
Vitamin E is a so-called antioxidant and helps build a strong immune system. The vitamin protects the body from so-called "free radicals". This is beneficial for every cat, although the need increases slightly with age.
Minerals for cats
Minerals are one of the essential components of life. Every heartbeat, every muscle contraction and every bone in the body needs minerals to function.
Calcium and phosphorus: These two minerals are particularly closely linked and are considered "building materials" in the body. For cats the right ratio of calcium and phosphorus is essential. It should be about 1:1, whereby values between 0.9:1 and 1.1:1 are possible. Ideally, the two minerals support each other in their modes of action in the body. If the ratio is not right, however, mutual interference occurs.
Calcium supports bone formation, healthy teeth, blood clotting, the nervous system, muscle activity (e.g. heart muscle contraction), etc. A persistent calcium deficiency reduces bone density, i.e. the bones become brittle (bone atrophy/osteoporosis). An excess of calcium in turn hinders the absorption of phosphorus and promotes ossification of the skeleton.
Phosphorus , like calcium, is involved in metabolic processes in the bones and in tooth formation . Furthermore it provides energy for the metabolism and the acid-base balance is also dependent on phosphorus. An excess of phosphate disturbs the calcium balance and the absorption of calcium from the intestine. This stimulates the parathyroid gland to produce more parathormone, which in turn leads to calcium depletion in the bones . A vicious circle, but one that illustrates the importance of a balanced diet
Magnesium is essential for muscles, energy metabolism and the function of enzymes. Magnesium deficiency leads to cramps and muscle weakness. Too much magnesium increases the risk of urinary stone formation: the dreaded "struvite stones" contain magnesium.
Sodium, chlorine and potassium are needed by the cat to coordinate the water balance and regulate the absorption of nutrients
TRACE ELEMENTS FOR CATS
What is it?
Trace elements are minerals, but they are only needed in very small quantities.
Iron
The trace element iron is primarily essential for oxygen transport in the body.
Zinc
Is a component of many enzymes that are responsible for cell division. For this reason it supports the immune system, skin and coat.
Elixir of life for cats: Taurine
Cats need taurine for a variety of important processes in the body such as metabolism, digestion, the nervous system, as well as heart and eye function. Since they cannot produce it themselves, they depend on a supply through food. Especially with home-cooked food, an additional administration of taurine is important.
Good to know: Taurine cannot be overdosed, as the body simply excretes any excess.
