| Fat soluble vitamins in cats have been surrounded | | | | vitamin. This vitamin is converted by ultraviolet |
| by a lot of myths and half truths, and in some | | | | rays in the outer layers of your cat's skin, but a |
| circles are considered dangerous for cats. But in | | | | small amount will also come from the diet. |
| reality, they are extremely important for cats of | | | | However, most commercial cat foods do not add |
| all ages and they can not survive without them. | | | | in any vitamin D. |
| But they are different than water soluble vitamins | | | | This vitamin plays a major role in regulating your |
| in that they dissolve in fat, as where water | | | | cat's calcium and phosphorus levels in the |
| soluble vitamins are excreted by your cat's body. | | | | bloodstream. It also stimulates kidney conversion |
| The fat soluble vitamins are Vitamins A, D, E and | | | | of calcium and therefore it actually assists your |
| K. | | | | cat's body to retain it. It is also instrumental in |
| Fats are enormously important components of | | | | bone formation and muscle control. |
| your cat's diet. They provide energy, and the fat | | | | A deficiency of Vitamin D could cause rickets, |
| acids in your pets body act as carriers of the fat | | | | retard skeletal construction and growth, and a |
| soluble vitamins. There are two types of fat acids | | | | progressive form of paralysis. It is highly |
| in your cat, Arachidonic acids and Linoleic acids. | | | | recommended to supplement in kittens and only in |
| Arachidonic acids are an unsaturated fatty acid | | | | mature cats if they get very little sunshine. Cats |
| that is essential for the growth of a kitten, and it | | | | cannot manufacture this vitamin, and if your adult |
| acts as a precursor to several biological active | | | | cat does not get sunshine, it will need |
| compounds in your pet body. As such, it plays | | | | supplements. |
| other roles in the production of membranes as | | | | A toxic reaction to over supplementation can |
| well as fat metabolism. The release of this fatty | | | | occur, but again it is extremely rare. |
| acid is triggered by certain hormones that rely on | | | | Vitamin E: |
| the adequate levels of fat in your cat's body. | | | | This vitamin is considered the wonder vitamin for |
| Linoleic acids are essential fatty forms of acids | | | | cats. It plays a critical role in your cat in the |
| that are found in the omega fatty acid family. It is | | | | formation of cell membranes, cell respiration, and |
| actually referred to as Omega-6 fatty acids and | | | | the metabolism of fats. It also functions as an |
| helps with the protection of your cat's hair | | | | antioxidant as well as protects against oxidation in |
| coating, as well as playing a key role in wound | | | | several of your cats hormones. |
| healing. | | | | Deficiencies of this vitamin can cause cell damage |
| These fat soluble vitamins are absorbed in your | | | | and the death of skeletal muscles, as well as |
| cat's small intestines and stored in their liver | | | | potential failures in the heart, testes, liver and |
| where they are released as they are needed. Of | | | | nerves. Your cat must have this vitamin to keep |
| the four fat soluble vitamins, only two, Vitamins A | | | | its organs functioning properly. A Brown Bowel |
| and D can accumulate and cause any type of | | | | Syndrome is a deficiency in cats where the |
| toxicity. But toxicity is extremely rare. | | | | bowels ulcerate, hemorrhage, and if severe |
| What Each Vitamin Does: | | | | enough, degenerate. |
| Vitamin A: | | | | If cats are fed exclusively fish diets, they will |
| This vitamin floats freely in your cat's | | | | develop another deficiency of vitamin E known as |
| bloodstream and can possibly create a toxic | | | | Yellow Fat Disease which could also cause Cats |
| affect if they receive too much, but only if those | | | | Rippling Disease. |
| limits exceed the limits that the liver can store. | | | | They must have this vitamin for metabolism. It |
| The main sources of this vitamin will be from the | | | | also helps to slow aging as well as boosting the |
| portion of plants that is called carotene. | | | | immune system. There is also mounting evidence |
| With dogs, this vitamin is converted very easily | | | | that this vitamin may help to reduce the risk of |
| by the intestinal cells, but not in cats, as they | | | | heart disease and cancer in cats. Food sources |
| have a very difficult time converting the actual | | | | include fats and liver. |
| plant form known as Beta Carotene. It is | | | | There have been no known toxic levels even |
| extremely important for cat owners to | | | | reported in cats with this vitamin. |
| understand that there are different forms of this | | | | Vitamin K: |
| vitamin, and the form you must use is retinyl | | | | This vitamin is essential in your cat for normal |
| palmitate, as it stores very easily in your cats | | | | blood functions, as without it, blood will not clot. If |
| liver. | | | | they have a deficiency of this vitamin and are |
| Because it stores so easily, it is very difficult to | | | | injured or cut, they may bleed to death. |
| become free floating or cause any toxic affects. | | | | There are some other interesting facts about this |
| With vitamin A supplements you must always | | | | vitamin. Most all mouse and rat poisons have an |
| make sure it is a brand of quality to ensure this | | | | ingredient called coumarin that binds the activity of |
| correct form. It is also important to note that | | | | vitamin K by design. It makes the blood not clot |
| while it could be toxic, there have been virtually | | | | on purpose, killing these rodents. However, cats |
| no known reported cases when used correctly. | | | | love the taste, so it is extremely important to |
| This vitamin is an essential for your cats bone | | | | keep you cats away from these poisons. |
| growth, tooth development, as well as cellular | | | | Dietary forms of Vitamin K are found in green |
| reproduction and division. It also helps the skin and | | | | leafy plants and vegetables and most all kittens |
| the eyes. But it's most important function in your | | | | and cats will need some form of supplements, |
| cat is to keep the mouth, nose, throat, and lungs | | | | There have been no known documented cases of |
| moist. If not moist, several deficiencies could | | | | toxin reactions to this vitamin. |
| occur. | | | | Kittens will need to be supplemented with these |
| Deficiency of this vitamin causes pink eye, retinal | | | | four fat soluble vitamins much more than adult |
| degeneration, weight loss, and muscle weakness, | | | | cats, but all cats must have these vitamins. Just |
| as well as reproductive disorders. Besides | | | | follow the recommended dosages and you will |
| supplements, excellent sources are liver, fish oil | | | | never experience any problems. |
| liver, vegetables, and dairy products. | | | | The fear pundits most likely have never done any |
| Vitamin D: | | | | research to back their claims. |
| This vitamin is also referred to as the sunshine | | | | |