Cat Food Supplements

Here is some useful information regarding supplements from http://www.littlebigcat.com. Add the supplements carefully for a balanced natural and homemade diet.

Particular amino acids that can be supplemented and may be helpful for many conditions

• Arginine
• Lysine
• Carnitine
• Taurine

Excess nutrients/minerals in many pet foods: copper, zinc, iodine – be careful with adding vitamins A, D and K, and minerals to commercial pet food.

The 4 supplements every pet needs:

1. Antioxidants

There are many kinds of antioxidants. They are important in the neutralization or scavenging of "oxygen free radicals" which are normal by-products of body metabolism. Controlled amounts of free radicals are necessary as weapons against viruses and bacteria, as well as for their role in hormone production and numerous enzyme-catalyzed reactions. However, excess free radicals can damage cellular DNA, destroy cell membranes, and lead to long-term immune system damage and cancer. Excessive amounts of free radicals are formed from exposure to radiation, including sunlight, environmental pollution, and high-fat diets. In people, a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables may contain adequate natural antioxidants. Dogs and cats eating commercial pet food, however, may not get enough appropriate antioxidants in the diet.

Common antioxidants include Vitamins C and E, which do indeed have significant antioxidant activity as well as many other important metabolic functions. These vitamins are excellent supplements to the diet in any case. The Ester C form of Vitamin C is buffered, and is the best choice for animals. Vitamin C may be dosed to "bowel tolerance." That is, you start off adding just a little Vitamin C (50-100 mg) to the food, and increase the dose very gradually until the animal develops diarrhea. At that point, you back off to the previous dosage amount that did not cause diarrhea, and stay with that dose. The animal's tolerance may vary depending on diet, time of year, and stresses such as changes in the home, pollution, and exposure to radiation (UV light, x-rays, power lines, etc.). Natural Vitamin E comes in the form of d-alpha tocopherol, but a supplement containing mixed tocopherols (alpha and gamma) may have more benefits. (Avoid dl-alpha tocopherol, which is a synthetic form of Vitamin E.) It is very safe to give. Give 100-200 IU per day for a cat or small dog (less than 20 pounds), up to 800 IU for giant breed dogs. Vitamin E is very safe and most cats love the taste of the oil; just prick the capsule with a pin, squeeze out a few drops on your finger, and let the cat lick it off.

There are many other good antioxidant supplements. Where dosage information is not specified, give a cat or small dog about 1/10 to 1/6 the human dosage, as specified on the label, per day. (Human doses are based on a 150 lb. person)

2. Probiotics

Probiotics, which include L. acidophilus as well as a number of other beneficial bacteria, are of special importance in animals with any type of digestive problem as well as animals who are, or have been, taking antibiotics. They help keep the bacteria population in the gut balanced and healthy, and prevent "bad" bacteria from gaining a foothold. Live-culture yogurt, which contains a small amount of acidophilus, while not harmful, is not an adequate source of probiotics for the average animal.

3. Digestive Enzymes
With any cooked or commercial food, it is essential to add digestive enzymes. Plant-based enzymes work in the widest range of pH and temperature, and are better for the majority of animals than pancreatic enzymes or pancreas extracts. There may be a few instances where pancreas products work better, but these should be prescribed by your veterinarian. It does not take much, just a little bit with each meal. Some sources suggest using brewer's yeast or nutritional yeast, because they contain enzymes as well as B-vitamins and other nutrients. If your animal likes and tolerates yeast, it is a fine addition to the food. However, some animals will develop an allergy to yeast, and not all of them like it. I would still recommend adding a specific enzyme combination even if you are also using yeast. Make sure that the product you select contains at least protease, amylase, and lipase (some also contain cellulase, which helps digest plant materials containing cellulose).

4. Omega 3/Essential Fatty Acids

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are "essential," meaning that our bodies cannot synthesize them, and they must be obtained in the diet. The modern American diet contains far more Omega-6s than Omega-3s, and many studies are showing that this imbalance is potentially harmful. No one knows the "ideal" ratio, but less than 5:1 is probably adequate. Commercial pet foods contain 10-20 times as much Omega-6 as Omega-3, because Omega-6 oils are less expensive and more stable than Omega-3's. Most fatty acid supplements for pets contain too much Omega-6 and/or too much vitamin A and D.

The first sign of a fatty acid imbalance or deficiency is most likely to show up in dogs and cats as dry, dull fur, or itchy, irritated, or flaky skin.

The best source of Omega-3 fatty acids for animals is fish oil. Most cod liver oils contain too much Vitamin A and D, but those without those added vitamins are also a good choice. You can get fish oil capsules at the health food store, variously labeled "Salmon Oil," "Marine Fish Oil," "Deep Sea Fish Oil," or "Cold Water Fish Oil." These contain the specific Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which can be used directly by the body. However, the capsules are large, and the oil not very palatable, especially to cats. Farm-raised salmon (usually called "Atlantic" or "Norwegian" salmon) are fed dyes, antifungal drugs, and other substances that may accumulate in body fat; avoid fish oil from these sources. "Molecularly distilled" oils are also safe.