As independent as they are by nature, the feline requires extra nutrient care in the form of mineral supplementation. Core meal cat diet most often does not contain all minerals necessary for optimal health and vital longevity. For this reason, we will take a look at just two minerals that the cat needs in this article, some which are present in normal cat food and others that need to be provided in the form of a supplement.
Calcium, with and without phosphorus, and phosphorus by itself are essential minerals for your cat’s health. The ratio/balance and quantified requirement varies with age and should best be administered with the advice of a veterinarian. Because those foods which are high in calcium are low in phosphorus and vice versa the providing of proper balance for your cat is very difficult and most often requires supplementation outside of the cat’s regular cat food diet. Not providing enough calcium in your cat’s diet, especially when they are developing, will effect the strength of their bones.
Phosphorus on the other hand is required to enable the absorption, or uptake, of calcium. Calcium sourced from Poultry, Lamb or Fish meal would need to be supplemented with Phosphorus as these meat meals do not provide Phosphorus and therefore the calcium content would not be absorbed as well otherwise. True meat, not meat meal, on the other hand can be used to source Phosphorus as well as Calcium. Another means of getting both Calcium and Phosphorus from a core-diet element is through bone meal.
There are many supplements available to provide Calcium and Phosphorus to the cat, for instance in chewable tablets. It is important that you check with your veterinarian to make sure that the proper ratio of these two minerals is being provided in whichever supplement that you choose to be best suited to your cat’s specific health needs (age, for instance).
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