Supplementary feed & breeding for cats
Feed supplement for cats
Why give cats feed supplements?
No matter whether it’s wet or dry food: if you give your cat a high-quality all-in-one food product, that’s generally enough. As the name indicates, feed supplements are merely additional items to supplement the main food. These are a way to support older or sick animals, for example, if they show signs of nutritional deficiency. Food supplements can also be helpful for stressed or chronically ill cats. With the appropriate snacks, you can also promote the general well-being and vitality of your healthy cat and strengthen its immune system.
Which food supplements are good for cats?
Feed supplements have different ingredients and active agents. Before you give your cat special food, you should consider the animal’s needs. For example, there are vitamin compounds for the immune system and there are food products that help care for skin and fur. There are also products specifically intended to support weakened organs – or to have a calming effect, when a visit to the veterinarian is pending, for example. Feed supplements with green-lipped mussel extract promote strong bones and joints. They strengthen the connective tissue and the cartilage. If your cat has a sensitive stomach and digestive problems, malt pastes or cat grass can have a supporting effect. For example, this loosens hair balls in cats’ stomachs, which often form due to the hair that gets swallowed during grooming.
Feed supplements come in various forms. Powder, tablets or drops can simply be mixed into the regular food. Pastes and gels are suitable for a snack between meals or as a reward.
What should you pay attention to when giving a cat feed supplements?
Very important: feed supplements are no substitute for medications. If you suspect a nutritional deficiency, or if there are acute symptoms of illness, then talk to your veterinarian about the effective use of food supplements. Supplementary products are well suited to a raw diet (BARF: biologically appropriate raw food). These balance out the nutrient requirements so that the cat is getting the necessary vitamins, minerals and fibre which it is not able to get through its raw food.
The correct dosage is also decisive, because an excessive amount of food supplements, even if well-intentioned, can have a negative effect on your cat’s health. Particularly fatty products can lead to obesity, for example, if you feed the cat too often.