One of the questions that every cat parent asks themselves is “should I give my cat supplements?” That might sound like a silly question to some, but it’s actually quite valid!
As us “hoomans” try to be more proactive in our own wellness journeys, it’s only natural that we’d want to do the same for our pets.
Plus, who doesn’t want to be the best cat parent they can be? If we see our fur babies as family members, it makes sense to treat them as such.
As supplements become a growing trend among pet parents, we thought it would be a pawsome time to explore whether supplements for cats are necessary, if they’re safe, and which ones would be good to try.
Cat Food is Just the Beginning!
Before we even get into what makes supplements a viable option for cat parents, let’s start with what goes in your feline’s food.
Wet or dry cat foods can be tricky. While they might have good ingredients that support a complete and balanced diet for cats, they may lack certain ingredients found in functional supplements that can help your cat with areas of their wellness that could use some TLC.
But, what if you cook for your cat? First off, that’s awesome! We’re sure your cat adores their homecooked meals. However, even though they might love pigging out on protein, rice, and veggies, the same challenge applies here, too. Your home-cooked recipe might lack the kind of ingredients that cat supplements may provide.
Should I Give My Cat Supplements?
Have you ever taken time to sit back and observe your cat?
Whether it’s their behaviors, routines, eating habits, or the spring in their step, your cat’s actions tell a story that their meows can’t.
So, if you notice a few aspects of your cat’s wellness that you want to address, cat food can only do so much to help the cause. But, that’s where supplements come in!
Cat supplements often contain special ingredients and blends not found in their food that may support certain areas of your kitty companion’s well-being. Plus, supplements have come a long way since the pill and tablet days. Now, functional supplements come in delicious soft chews that even picky cats will try.
So, a chat with your vet and some ingredient research can go a long way in determining whether functional supplements are fine for your feline.
Can Supplements Help Common Cat Conditions?
As our feline friends pounce through life, supplements can be a great way to keep them feeling as purr-fect as possible.
When it comes to common cat conditions, it’s important to specify that supplements don’t prevent, treat, or cure diseases. So, don’t cancel those vet appointments if you think something serious is going on!
With that said, supplements are still a great way to help your cat get support in some of the following areas:
- Hairball Support
- Calmness
- Gut Health
- Mobility
- Immune System Function
- Seasonal Allergies
- Skin & Coat Health
Best Cat Supplements
Once you’ve decided to try cat supplements, finding safe and effective ones are essential. But with so many to choose from, it can get overwhelming!
So, here are a few more tips to keep in mind during your search:
- Do your research! A lot of companies make “too good to be true” disease-curing promises that their formulas can’t keep. Don’t trust them!
- Review product labels carefully, and don’t be afraid to contact the brand with questions about their products. Every detail matters.
- Follow directions closely. Supplements (while yummy) aren't like treats. So, please be sure to follow the directions on the packaging.
- Stay in touch with your vet. Keep your vet up-to-date on the supplements you’re trying to ensure they don’t interfere with your cat’s other needs.
So... What Might Help Your Cat?
Remember what we mentioned earlier about observing your cat and chatting with a veterinarian? Well, this is what comes next – picking a pawsome product or two!
With so many areas of feline wellness to consider, we decided to pick a few great options you can try from your pet-pals at Zesty Paws®.
Hairballs and Gut Health
All cat moms and dads are fully aware of this yucky formation! That’s why we created Hairball Bites, which are yummy soft chews that may help minimize hairballs and support skin and digestive health. The rock star ingredients include Alaskan Fish Oil, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Psyllium, Slippery Elm, and a Proprietary Immune and Skin Function Blend (with Zinc and Biotin).
Everyday Stress
Some cats could use a helping paw to help them cope with life’s spookies. So, don’t let thunderstorms, car rides, fireworks, or other cats turn your kitty into a sourpuss! Try our Calming Bites soft chews made with relaxing ingredients such as L-Tryptophan, Valerian Root, Chamomile, L-Theanine (Suntheanine), Ashwagandha (Sensoril), Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate), and Melatonin.
Immunity and Seasonal Allergies
If your feline friend's immune system would like some extra TLC, we have just the thing to try. Our Aller-Immune Bites feature L-Lysine, EpiCor Pets, Astragalus Root, and Quercetin. Together, those ingredients provide immune and seasonal allergy support – not to mention a bacon flavor that will give your feline the itch for more!
Skin Health
Want to keep your cat looking just as luxurious as they feel? Then, why not support their skin health? Our Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil provides a delicious source of EPA and DHA (from Omega-3 fatty acid) to support normal skin moisture. Best of all, it’s great as a topper for your cat’s wet or dry food!
Now That the Cat’s Out of the Bag...
With all this new information about cat supplements, we hope you’re ready to take the first steps to supporting your feline friend in a fun new way!
If you have any additional questions or want to learn more about our cat supplements, leave a comment below and let us know. Or you can reach out to our Customer Care Specialists directly at 1-800-738-0661 or bark@zestypaws.com.
You can also check in with Zesty Paws or share photos of your furry friends on Facebook (@zestypaws), Instagram (@zestypaws), TikTok, or Pinterest using #ZestyPaws. See you there!