What Supplements Should I Add to Homemade Cat Food?

When it comes to the diet of our furry felines, it’s important to make sure they get the nutrients they need. As cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need certain types of animal proteins by law, their diets must match this requirement.

While wet and dry food are perfect for giving them a healthy balanced diet, homemade cat food can sometimes be lacking in certain vitamins. That’s why it’s necessary to weigh up and consider what supplements should be added to homemade cat food.

To ensure our cats live a long, healthy, and happy life, we should look into supplementing their homemade cat food with the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Types of Supplements and Their Benefits

As cats require different types of vitamins and minerals within their diets, it’s important to include them in their diets.

To do this, you can either buy certain supplements specifically designed for cats or create your own vitamin supplements for cats. Here are some of the most common supplements used for homemade cat food:

Taurine

Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats, and it helps promote healthy eyesight, digestion, and heart function.

It can be found in organ meats like kidney and heart as well as fish, dairy products, and red meats. Taurine can also be bought in supplement form.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are great for cats as it helps them with skin and coat health, reduce inflammation, and help with joint pain. It can be found in salmon, herring, and mackerel, and you can also purchase it as a supplement.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps cats with their vision, immunity, and skin and coat health. It can be found in organ meats, cod liver oil, and eggs. If this isn’t a part of your cat’s regular diet, you can get it in supplement form.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E helps with cognitive function, muscle strength, and skin and coat health. It can be obtained through foods like poultry, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, and soya.

If these foods are not available or your cat is not fond of them, you can buy a vitamin E supplement for cats.

B-complex vitamins

B vitamins help aid nerve and muscle function in cats and can be found in foods like liver, poultry, eggs, and dairy. If you’re feeding your cat homemade meals, a B-complex supplement should be included.

Zinc

Zinc helps with joint function and is important in keeping cats healthy and active. It can be found in red meats, poultry, nuts, legumes, and egg yolks. If these foods aren’t available, you can also buy zinc in supplement form.

Best Foods for Supplementing Homemade Cat Food

While vitamins and minerals are important for cats’ diet, some types of foods should not be included in their homemade meals. Certain foods such as garlic, onions, raisins, chocolate, and grapes should be avoided as they are poisonous to cats.

A small amount of these foods can even be fatal, so it’s important to research and consider what types of foods you should add to your cat’s diet.

The best option is to include human-grade meats, chicken, fish, eggs, and vegetables. These foods can provide the necessary vitamins and minerals required for a healthy diet.

Human-grade proteins are important for cats, and these come in the form of chicken, beef, fish, and eggs. These can either be cooked or raw, as long as they are fresh. Nuts are also great for cats as they contain omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and protein.

Vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, and sweet potatoes are great for cats as they contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Fruit should be excluded in most cases, as too much sugar can be unhealthy for cats.

Adding certain types of supplements to your cat’s diet can provide them with all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fats they need to stay healthy. Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and taurine will help keep the heart, eyes, and digestion system healthy.

B-complex vitamins will help to keep their neurological and muscular system functioning properly. And finally, zinc will provide cats with the joint support they need for a happy and active lifestyle.

Summary

All cats need certain vitamins and minerals in their diets for their health and well-being. This is especially true for cats eating homemade cat food. To ensure your cat gets all the necessary nutrients, it’s important to supplement their diet with the right vitamins and minerals.

Some of the most important supplements for cats are taurine, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, and zinc. These can be obtained from certain proteins, vegetables, and nuts, or bought in supplement form.

By adding certain types of supplements to their homemade meals, you can rest assured your cat is getting all the necessary nutrients they need for a healthy and happy life.