There is a specific time when vitamins are needed to maintain the health of your pets, such as cats and dogs (read more). There are many types of feline vitamins based on their intended use, such as to fatten the body, beautify fur, and increase appetite.
However, you need to know how to choose the best supplements for your feline. Here are some ways on how to shop for your cat’s vitamins.
1. Check The Composition Inside
Nowadays, vitamins for cats produced have many types based on their composition. The content of vitamins in each product must be different, both in terms of goals and age targets. Therefore, choose vitamins that have the correct composition and are according to the needs of the feline.
Vitamins A And B
Just like humans, vitamin A also has benefits for the feline’s eyes. Apart from keeping the eyes functioning normally, it also protects them from various diseases. Besides, it can also help heal the eyes of felines who are sick in that area.
However, not only vitamin A but vitamin B can also maintain eye health. Both of these can also make the cat’s vision become sharper. Vitamins are organic compounds that play a role in various metabolic activities. Vitamin deficiency can cause myriad health problems.
The main functions of vitamin A in the cat’s body are to maintain the organ of vision, support growth, immunity, beneficial for fetal development, and mobile differentiation.
Eye diseases that can be caused by vitamin A deficiency include conjunctivitis, cataracts, retinal degeneration. Vitamin A deficiency can also cause weight loss, muscle weakness, reproductive and growth disorders.
However, excess vitamin A can cause problems in growing kittens. One of them causes hypervitaminosis A, which is a condition characterized by various bone lesions. Therefore, you have to give vitamin A according to the dose listed on the package or consult a veterinarian.
Protein
Protein has good benefits for skin, fur, nails, and feline antibodies. In addition, amino acids from protein can be converted into glucose which is essential for the brain, red blood cells, and kidneys. Protein is also helpful for producing energy for cats to be able to carry out daily activities.
Despite having many benefits, protein has side effects that cause digestive problems. It can happen if your feline can not digest protein easily or is allergic to it. However, you don’t have to worry. If your feline cannot eat regular protein, we recommend choosing one that is easy to digest so that your feline can absorb the nutrients from the protein.
In addition to easy-to-digest protein, you can also choose products that use a single protein source, such as hydrolyzed protein. Hydrolyzed protein itself is a protein that has been broken down into smaller protein forms that are easy to consume.
Vitamin E, Omega-3 And Omega-6
Vitamin E, omega-3, and omega-6 fats are nutrients that play an important role in your feline’s coat (link: https://consciouscat.net/2012/07/09/does-your-cat-need-supplements/). Omega-3 and omega-6 fats are beneficial for keeping cats from being prone to inflammatory problems. Feline fur will grow healthy and beautiful if it avoids these skin problems.
Meanwhile, vitamin E is helpful to help improve skin health. This vitamin also prevents the occurrence of various kinds of problems on the feline’s skin. Make sure your beloved kitty consumes these three nutrients as recommended.
2. According To Your Cat’s Age And Condition
The next way on how to choose the right cat supplement is by considering your cat’s age and condition. You need to choose feline supplements according to their age and condition. For example, don’t give adult cat vitamins to kittens whose health is still vulnerable. If you force, there may be effects that arise and endanger the kitten’s health.
For a pregnant cat, you have to choose vitamins A, D, E. These vitamins can make the feline’s immune system be maintained properly. In addition, this vitamin is also useful as a cat supplement for the fetus in the womb. Thus, the kittens will grow up healthy after birth.
Therefore, you have to choose supplement products that contain vitamins A, D, and E. You can always go to Holistapet websites and scan their products that will be perfect for what you need. Lastly, you have to make sure the nutritional needs of the mother and child are met by choosing the right product.
For kittens, you have to choose vitamins A, B, D, E, K, and fish oil. If your kittens are seven or eight weeks old, it’s time to be weaned from their mother. During this weaning period, they need additional nutrients. Kittens need an extra boost to help them grow and maintain their immune system.
3. The Shape And Texture Should Be Suitable For The Cat
Cat vitamins have various forms and textures, such as liquid, gel, powder, to a tablet. We recommend that you choose a product based on your needs and that it is easy to consume. Liquid cat vitamins are the easiest for cats to consume. Just like the capsule-type, you can simply drip it directly into the feline’s mouth, or you can also mix this type of vitamin into the drink.
Gel feline vitamins are more difficult to consume because you have to hold the cat. However, there is also a gel type that comes in the form of a snack so that the feline will mostly like it. Powdered vitamins are not that difficult for cats to consume because they only need to be mixed with water. You only need to serve this type of vitamin through their drinks.
Tablet type will take longer because it must be ground first. After the tablet is crushed, you can mix it with your feline’s favorite food or snack at home. Make sure you give it slowly until the feline gets used to it.
