You're probably familiar with the concept of taking a multivitamin daily. But have you thought about doing the same for your cat? Sometimes supplementation can boost your cat's overall health. Popular categories of cat supplements include those for gut, liver, kidney, heart, joint, and skin & coat health.
Multinutrient food topper to boost overall health
Food toppers or mixers are an excellent way to boost the nutritional value of your cat’s diet. There are many different types of toppers for different health benefits. Toppers formulated for skin & coat, digestive health, joint health and even multinutrient toppers like this Stella & Chewy's Marie's Magical Dinner Dust (Salmon & Cage Free Chicken) Freeze Dried Raw Cat Food Topper. This multinutrient topper is like a multivitamin that you would add to your dietary routine. Cat food toppers are an excellent way to improve flavour and help to make mealtimes more exciting for picky eaters. A must-have if you have finicky cat at home.
Probiotic for healthy gut
A healthy population of friendly bacteria is crucial in keeping your cat’s digestive and immune health in good working order. If the balance between the good and bad intestinal bugs gets out of whack, your cat can develop gastrointestinal upset, including food sensitivities and allergies.
It is best to avoid human probiotic supplements as our feline friends have different gut bacteria species. Give a probiotic supplement that is formulated for cats like this NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Prebiotics Plus Probiotic Powder for Cat & Dog Supplement. This formula comes with added prebiotic. Prebiotic fibres help feed and strengthen probiotic bacteria, ensuring better survival of the probiotic bacteria in the gut.
Colourful vegetables for phytonutrients
Many clinical trials and anecdotal evidence have pointed to the benefits of a diet rich in phytonutrients. This is true for both man and animals, including our feline friends.
Phytonutrients are what give our food colours. These phytonutrients are powerful antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals. Oxidative damage caused by free radicals can lead to cognitive decline, diseases like cancer, organ failures and many other chronic conditions. If your cat's existing diet does not include colourful vegetables, offer a small amount of cooked pumpkin, carrots, green beans or broccoli as a snack.
As our feline friends aged, they are more prone to hip and joint issues. Senior cats can benefit from a joint supplement to help support joint function.
Apart from supplementation, exercise is important to help maintain healthy muscle mass and joint flexibility. It is also critical to maintain your cat at a healthy body weight to take excess stress off her joints. .
Omega 3 for healthy coat
Omega 3 fatty acids have many of the same benefits for cats as they do for us. They have anti-inflammatory properties, great for skin allergies and aid in reducing joint pain.
The NaturVet Ultimate Skin & Coat Powder Cat & Dog Supplement has a balanced amount of omega 3, 6 and 9, a key component in preventing dry skin, improving overall health of hair follicles, giving your cat a shinier coat and decrease the amount of hair shedding.
Most commercial cat diets are formulated to be balanced nutritionally. However, supplements are sometimes required for certain health needs. If you’re thinking about dietary supplements for cat, discuss with your veterinarian about what products would be most beneficial for your cat's individual needs.
KATHERINE KHOO
Katherine is a Pet Nutrition Specialist and GDP’s Pet Wellness Advisor. She is committed to helping pet owners make informed dietary and lifestyle choices in nurturing healthy pets. Katherine is also a practicing Nutritional Therapist (human nutrition) and have been helping hundreds of clients to heal naturally with nutrients.