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Cat Vitamins Work?

post #1 of 11
1/5/05 at 9:20pm
Thread Starter 
Sasha is enjoying robust health, but I'm aware of all the vitamins out there. He's 12 and 21 lbs. Should I think about having him take vitamins? My approach is very naturalistic with him as it is. Do they really boost the immune system as they claim or is it a bunch of hot marketing air? And if he does start them, which are best? I don't feel he needs them but am I wrong? Are they really integral to overall good health?
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post #2 of 11
1/5/05 at 9:37pm
My vet only prescribes vitamins if my cats have poor appetite due to whatever reason. Once their food intake returns to normal I can stop. I guess they're more of appetite enhancers than anything else.
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post #3 of 11
1/5/05 at 9:44pm
Really am unable to answer your question, E, whather or not they are really as essential to health as many believe, but I have taken vitamins myself for many years, therefore it seems only natural that I also make this same effort at enhancing my sweet Sierra's health in the same way. Sierra takes Halo Vita Dreams Daily Greens, Udo's Choice Pet Essentials for Cats, Anitra's Vita-MIneral Mix, Pet Tinic, and B complex twice daily, Grizzly Salmon Oil once a day as well as Vit. E twice weekly.
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post #4 of 11
1/5/05 at 10:06pm
Usually cats don't need vitamins and they may be harmful in some cases. The reason is that all they eat is cat food, and it is supplemented with vitamins, sometimes even too much of certain vitamins. Over needed B vitamins and C are just excreted from the body, but the fat soluble vitamins can build up and be toxic. There is some evidence that certain diseases in cats and too much vitamin D in pet foods may be related to the increase in renal failure in cats. The only time you should supplement is under veterinary supervision and if your cat is not eating an adequate amount of good quality cat food. Becky
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post #5 of 11
1/5/05 at 10:11pm
I realize that wasn't directed towards me, Becky, but I should have pointed out in my post that all of Sierra's supplements are approved and recommended by her Specialist and that supplements of any kind should never be given without the advice and supervision of your kitty's Veterinarian.
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post #6 of 11
1/5/05 at 11:46pm
Honestly, I would only do so if there were a medical problem indicating a need for special supplementation, and then, only with vet approval. If feeding a good diet, which Sasha is getting, most of his dietary needs should be being met. I'd always go to bump up quality of food versus getting a supplement.

I.e. it burns me when I see in supplements *or* in foods (including some brands I recommend!) an ingredient such as flax seed or flax oil where they talk of it's benefits for doing anything other than providing a source of fiber (if the seed versus the oil). Cats are unable to convert linoleic acid, which is what flax (oil) is, to arachadonic acid, which is the form which cats need. They are obligate carnivores and do better with fish based sources for their Omega 3 and 6. )so...yes those cubes of wildside salmon actually do have nutritive value for Sasha!
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post #7 of 11
1/6/05 at 5:18am
Definitely, Stephanie, not directed at you. It was just something I have read about cat foods having too high levels of some vitamins, especially vitamin D, so that if people supplement, they are just adding to the problem. Especially in Sierra's case, when she eats so little at times, that is a case when you would want to supplement, because she may not be getting a day's full serving of food and thus not the correct amount of vitamins. I was just referring to normal healthy cats with healthy appetites. Sorry, I should have made myself clear.
Interesting, Pat. I did know about the linoleic acid thingy, but never thought about why the flax seed oil was put in cat foods. Another thing along the same lines is when they supplement with beta carotene for a source of vitamin A, when cats, unlike people, cannot convert beta carotene into vitamin A. But they know flax seed oil and beta carotene are popular human supplements so they add them to make people think they are on the cutting edge of cat nutrition when they are anything but. Becky
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post #8 of 11
1/6/05 at 7:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zanniesmom
Another thing along the same lines is when they supplement with beta carotene for a source of vitamin A, when cats, unlike people, cannot convert beta carotene into vitamin A. But they know flax seed oil and beta carotene are popular human supplements so they add them to make people think they are on the cutting edge of cat nutrition when they are anything but. Becky
Exactly...irritates me because it is manipulative (and more than just a marketing technique imho, it is dishonest).
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post #9 of 11
1/6/05 at 1:15pm
I completely agree, Becky.
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post #10 of 11
1/6/05 at 4:03pm
The only vitamins I would dare to supplement (if the cat eats a well balanced diet) are vitamin B-complex. All the fat soluble vitamines (A, D, E) can be overdosed and can cause severe illness.

Some supplement with vitamin C, but cats synthesize enough of that vitamin themselves so there's no need to supplement with that.

A cat on a well balanced diet doesn't need supplements unless it's ill.
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post #11 of 11
1/6/05 at 4:09pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the information. I'm so glad I asked! This was very helpful and Sasha can just go on being Sasha.
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