Cats, much like people, need to supplement their diets with vitamins because they often don't get enough essential vitamins and minerals from the foods they eat. In addition, many pet foods lack essential vitamins and minerals, and oil-based hairball treats can actually block their absorption. Liquid vitamins have proven to replace this prominent deficiency among cats in the most effective manor.
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Health Benefits
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Adding liquid vitamins to the feline diet has been proven to improve overall health. Liquid vitamins help cats maintain healthy skin, a shiny coat, clear eyes and a strong immune system. They also help prevent anemia, malnutrition, digestive problems, skin problems and poor reproductive performance. A daily multivitamin can boost energy, improve digestion and help cats absorb nutrients in food. Vitamin C helps cats synthesize collagen, which is essential in developing tissue in the body. When used in older cats, liquid vitamins help reduce the signs of aging; in younger cats, they aid in growth and development.
Multivitamins
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Quality liquid multivitamins are the type of liquid vitamins preferred and recommended by the majority of veterinary professionals. Most contain vitamins C, E, B, D, A, Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium and Potassium. However, each multivitamin formula may vary slightly. It is important to get a veterinarian's recommendation on which to buy based on the cat's age, breed, diet, activity level and environment. Bottles are available at veterinary offices, pet stores and on the Internet
Why Liquid?
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The most influential factor in determining which is better, liquid or pill, is which form can hold the highest number of vitamins in a single dose. Liquid multivitamins for cats can hold up to eight times more vitamins in a single dose than the pill form. In addition, liquid vitamins are absorbed faster and easier in the feline intestinal tract than pills. Most pet owners find liquid more convenient to administer than crushing a pill and easier for cats to swallow. Therefore, liquid vitamins are favored over pills by the general pet care community.
Vitamin B
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Liquid Vitamin B complex is the most common liquid vitamin sold separately for cats. Vitamin B increases energy and appetite. The liquid B complex bottle usually contains B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, B-12 and biotin.
Warning
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An overdose in vitamins can cause serious medical complications. An iron overdose can be fatal, but, in most cases causes vomiting, diarrhea and gastrointestinal bleeding. Excessive amounts of vitamin A can cause skin lesions, dry skin, alopecia, and pruritus (anal itching). Too much vitamin B-6 may lead to changes in the nervous system and sensitivity to light. Excess vitamin C may cause diarrhea and abdominal bloating. An overdose of vitamin D may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drinking and urinating, anorexia, depression, hemorrhage, abnormal heartbeat, bone pain and/or limping. Check with a veterinarian before adding vitamins to a cat's diet.
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