Cat-Care - The short answer
- If your cat eats a complete, AAFCO/FFC-approved diet, extra vitamins or minerals are unnecessary and can be harmful. Focus on balanced food, not bottles.
- Core principles
- Complete diets already meet feline vitamin/mineral needs; adding more risks toxicity.
- Calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) must stay balanced; aim around 1.1–1.3:1 in adult maintenance.
- Cats are not small humans; avoid human supplements or dog products.
- Life stage matters: kitten, adult, senior, pregnant/ nursing cats have different targets—ask your vet.
- When feeding homemade or raw, use a vet-formulated recipe and tested premix; guesswork fails.
- New owner 14-day action checklist
- Day 1–2: Confirm your food is “complete and balanced” for your cat’s life stage (kitten, adult, all life stages). Keep the bag/can label or a photo for records.
- Day 1–2: Set up feeding zones: quiet spot, separate from litter by at least one room; water in a second location. Add a perch or shelf so your cat can eat undisturbed.
- Day 3–4: Establish a play–hunt–eat–sleep rhythm twice daily. 5–10 minutes of wand play → measured meal → calm rest. Routine supports appetite and digestion.
- Day 3–4: Start a simple log: daily food amount (g or cans), water drinking notes, poop consistency, litter frequency, body weight (weekly), and behaviors (energy, coat shine).
- Day 5–6: Weigh your cat (baby scale for small cats/kittens). Record baseline. Recheck weekly at similar times.
- Day 5–7: Safety sweep: secure medications, vitamin gummies, essential oils, lilies, onions/garlic, xylitol products, and rodent poisons. Close balcony gaps; install window screens to prevent falls.
- Day 7–9: If you offer treats, cap at ≤10% of daily calories. Choose cat-specific treats labeled complete or complementary, and avoid added calcium or phosphorus unless prescribed.
- Day 8–10: Book a vet visit or onboarding call. Bring your diet label photo and log. Ask about life-stage needs, Ca:P balance, and whether your cat needs any specific test (e.g., kidney screening in seniors).
- Day 10–12: For kittens or underweight cats, confirm growth diet and schedule. For seniors or cats with kidney issues, discuss lower-phosphorus options—never self-supplement binders or calcium.
- Day 11–13: If considering homemade or raw, pause and collect a veterinary nutritionist–formulated recipe and a commercial premix designed for cats. Plan a gradual 7–10 day transition with your vet’s guidance.
- Day 14: Review your log. Stable appetite, normal stools, steady weight? Great—stay the course. Any red flags (weight loss, dull coat, soft stools >24h)? Call your vet before changing nutrients.
- Common myths and corrections
- “More vitamins = more health” → Correct: Excess A or D can cause toxicity; balance beats volume.
- “Milk adds calcium” → Correct: Many cats are lactose intolerant; milk doesn’t fix Ca:P and can upset stomachs.
- “Meat alone is perfect” → Correct: Plain meat is phosphorus-heavy and calcium-poor; Ca:P becomes dangerous without bones or a proper premix.
- “Human multivitamins are fine” → Correct: Doses and forms differ; they can poison cats.
- “Kidney cats need calcium supplements” → Correct: Only under vet direction; wrong calcium can worsen mineral imbalance.
- When to contact a veterinarian
- Sudden distress, collapse, or trouble breathing.
- Refusing food or water for more than 24 hours.
- Vomiting or diarrhea lasting over 24 hours, or any blood in stool/vomit.
- Marked lethargy, unresponsiveness, or severe pain.
- Injury, bleeding, suspected toxin or supplement overdose.
- Kittens, seniors, pregnant/nursing queens with any abnormal signs or poor weight gain.
- If feeding homemade/raw or a medical diet, schedule proactive nutrition checks.
- Disclaimer
- This is educational, not medical advice; when in doubt, seek veterinary care quickly.