Targeted support for health, vitality & well-being

Food supplements for cats

Nutritional supplements can provide valuable support to ensure that our velvet paws live up to the saying "Smooth as a cat" and feel good all round.

What are food supplements?

The European Food Safety Authority defines food supplements as follows:

"Nutrients in concentrated form (e.g. minerals and vitamins) or other substances, with a nutritional or physiological effect. They are produced in "dosed" form, e.g. powder, tablets, capsules or liquids."

Important nutrients for cats in food supplements

The be-all and end-all of a healthy cat is its diet. It is important for us to mention : Food supplements (also known as supplements or additives) can never replace a needs-orientated and high-quality diet.

After all, good cat food provides our furry friends with all essential nutrients. The prerequisite is that the food is labelled as "complete food". Food supplements are , as the word suggests, supplements that are intended to cover (increased) requirements for whatever reason.

Which nutrients can be supplemented?

A variety of nutrients can be supplied to the cat via food supplements. These include

Taurine

Vitamins

Minerals

Trace elements

Amino acids

Fatty acids

Diverse effects of nutritional supplements for cats

Supplements for cats are usually administered to change or maintain a certain condition . Various modes of action can be identified:

Protect
Support
Prevent
Alleviate
Regenerate
Cleanse/Detoxify

The PERRO 3-pillar supplement system

PERRO divides the various food supplement substances into 3 categories:

Food Supplements	Orthomolecular	Phytomolecular
Food supplements are a supplement to the conventional diet. They are intended to ensure an optimal supply or to help prevent a deficiency if necessary.	These are substances (molecules) that our four-legged friends absolutely need and that also occur naturally in the body . These include vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids and essential fatty acids. They all support the body in a variety of ways in vital processes.	Phytomolecular refers to herbal medicine. Herbs and plants have been successfully used in medicine for centuries. The diverse and positive properties of plants and herbs are well documented. And this knowledge also benefits our animals

Useful and important nutritional supplements for cats

Many vitamins, minerals and other supplements are essential for the health and well-being of cats . Used and dosed correctly, they can help to optimally support the body and have a preventative or soothing effect.

Customised supply: Vitamins

Vitamin A supports the function of the eyes, bones, teeth and skin. Cats cannot produce it themselves, which is why it must be supplied through food. Be careful with the dosage for older cats. Too much vitamin A can damage the liver.

The need for vitamin C in cats increaseswith age, stress and illness . Cats can produce vitamin C themselves , but a dietary intake is recommended due to the low "production quantity". Overdoses are not known, as the body simply excretes excess vitamin C again.

The sun vitamin vitamin D is also relevant for cats. Bones, intestines and kidneys are dependent on the vitamin . It is also an important factor in the regulation of the calcium and phosphorus balance. A deficiency leads to rickets in cats, an excess to arteriosclerosis (calcified blood vessels). Vitamin D deficiency is particularly common in indoor cats.

Vitamin E is a so-called antioxidant and helps to build a strong immune system. The vitamin protects the body from so-called "free radicals". This is beneficial for every cat, although the need increases slightly with age.

Minerals for cats

Minerals are among the essential components of life. Every heartbeat, every muscle contraction and every bone in the body needs minerals to function.

Calcium and phosphorus: These two minerals are particularly closely linked and are regarded as "building materials" in the body. The right ratio of calcium and phosphorus is essential for cats . It should be around 1:1, although values between 0.9:1 and 1.1:1 are possible. Ideally, the two minerals support each other in their modes of action in the body. However, if the ratio is not right, they will hinder each other.

Calcium supports bone formation, healthy teeth, blood clotting, the nervous system, muscle activity (e.g. heart muscle contraction) etc. A persistent calcium deficiency reduces bone density, i.e. the bones become brittle (bone loss/osteoporosis). An excess of calcium in turn hinders the absorption of phosphorus and promotes ossification of the skeleton.

Like calcium, phosphorus is involved in metabolic processes in the bones and in tooth formation . Furthermore, it supplies energy to the metabolism and the acid-base balance is also dependent on phosphorus. An excess of phosphate disrupts the calcium balance and calcium absorption from the intestine. This stimulates the parathyroid gland to produce more parathyroid hormone, which in turn leads to calcium depletion in the bones . A vicious circle, but one that emphasises how important a balanced ratio is

Magnesium is essential for muscles, energy metabolism and the function of enzymes. Magnesium deficiency leads to cramps and muscle weakness. Too much magnesium increases the risk of urinary stone formation: the dreaded "struvite stones" contain magnesium.

Cats needsodium, chlorine and potassium to coordinate the water balance and regulate nutrient absorption

TRACK ELEMENTS FOR CATS

What are they?

Trace elements are minerals, but are only needed in very small quantities .

Iron

The trace element iron is primarily essential for oxygen transport in the body .

Zinc

Is a component of many enzymes that are responsible for cell division . For this reason, it supports the immune system, skin and coat.

Elixir of life for cats: Taurine

Cats need taurine for a variety of important processes in the body such as metabolism, digestion, the nervous system, as well as heart and eye function. As they cannot produce it themselves, they are dependent on a dietary supply. An additional supply of taurine is particularly important with home-cooked food.

Good to know: Taurine cannot be overdosed, as the body simply excretes any excess.