Daily Vitamins & Minerals for Cats

Types of Vitamins and Minerals

There are two main groups of vitamins: ones that are fat-soluble and ones that are water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins include A, which is good for the skin, D which helps strengthen bones and teeth, E which provides antioxidants and K, which aids in the blood-clotting process. Water-soluble vitamins include B, which helps cats process protein, and C, which is a natural stress reliever. Minerals including iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium are essential in ensuring proper growth, digestion, bone density, and hair coat.

Cats often do not receive enough vitamins and minerals from their diet. Most cats eat food that is heavily processed, and vitamins---especially water-soluble ones---often become ineffective or are destroyed during this processing. According to the Vitamins & Nutrition Center, many cat-food companies do not even put beneficial vitamins and minerals in cat foods to begin with. When advertisements claim that a cat food is balanced and complete, this is based on minimum requirements that are designed for maintaining adequate health, not optimal health. Daily supplements are often necessary to make up for these missing vitamins and minerals.

Cats spend their lives close to the ground, and are constantly exposed to toxic chemicals from lawn care and floor- cleaning products. Daily vitamin and mineral supplements help internally strengthen cats so they can fight off contaminants. This means less illness and fewer visits to the veterinarian's office. According to the Vitamins & Nutrition Center, vitamin and mineral supplements can also help cats compensate for genetic disorders or defects that are becoming more and more common.

Cats with vitamin and mineral deficiencies will often have poor hair coats and skin. Other indications include fatigue and heart palpitations. Cancer and cardiovascular disease can sometimes develop as the result of a deficiency in vitamin D.

According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, if a cat is already eating a diet that meets the standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals are already being consumed. Vitamin and mineral supplements are unnecessary in this case and could prove harmful.