Cats and dogs require a certain careful balance of vitamins and minerals as well as other nutrients in order to function at their best.  By taking the proper combination of these vitamins, your cat or dog will remain healthy and strong and is more likely to enjoy a long and happy life.

All pets require essential vitamins to function, but the exact vitamins which your pet will need are slightly different from the vitamins which you may see in a human multi-vitamin supplement.

Cats and dogs require different vitamin formulations to stay healthy, here we talk about vitamins for your pets.

Cat nutrition

Whether you should give your cat multi-vitamins or supplements like omega-3 or omega-6 pills depends upon your cat’s diet and health. Vitamins can be very useful in promoting good overall health and preventing some diseases. However, certain vitamins can actually cause more health problems than they cure for your cat, so it’s important to be informed about cat vitamins and supplements. Many cat foods contain processed meat products and can lose some of the essential vitamins and minerals with processing and storage, so it can be helpful to supplement your cat’s diet with certain vitamin products. Vitamins come in two general classes: they are either water-soluble or fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins, like Vitamin C, the B-vitamins and folic acid, dissolve naturally in your cat’s body and the unused excess is expelled through their urine. Fat-soluble vitamins, like Vitamins A, D, E and K will not pass through your cat’s system so easily, and may build up to toxic levels if eaten in excess.

Other supplements, like fatty acids, help to encourage a healthy heart and kidneys in your cat, and may also reduce the effects of arthritis. Probiotics can be given to help to promote a healthy digestive tract. 

Dog nutrition

Dog foods, too, can lose some of the essential nutrients during processing, and supplementation can help some dogs who may be malnourished. Although vitamin supplementation can be beneficial, it can’t replace a nutritious diet. Before giving vitamin supplements to your dog, consider factors like your dog’s age, overall condition and how active they are.

Vitamin A deficiency can cause vision problems, skin problems, diarrhoea and slowed growth, excess of this vitamin can cause illness. Vitamin C supplementation may help reduce the negative effects of hip dysplasia but can’t help prevent it.  However, excess of this vitamin can cause liver and kidney problems, and kidney stones. Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, vision problems and nervous disorders but too much can cause nausea and damage your dogs muscles. 

Importance of good nutrition

Feeding your pet a balanced diet is the best way to ensure his continued good health. Check the nutritional label of pet foods to see which offer you pet the optimal nutrition for their age and condition.

Petley’s® offers a range of specially formulated pet foods to help keep both dogs and cats in great health throughout their life. Petley’s® pet food contains real meat, vitamins and minerals, with zero artificial colourants or flavourants.

Vet and pet recommended Petley’s for your pet.

Reference 1_Pets and vitamins