We all want our feline friends to be as happy and healthy as possible. And what we choose to feed them plays a large part in that. Adding functional foods to your pet’s diet can be a fantastic way to boost their wellbeing. With that in mind, in this article we cover some of the best cat supplements to support your kitty’s health. The list focuses on natural, plant-based nutrition rather than synthesised tablets, for a more wholesome and holistic approach to animal wellness.
Jerusalem artichoke
When it comes to gut health, Jerusalem artichoke is one of the best cat supplements on offer. This root vegetable is bursting with key vitamins and minerals, including potassium, iron, and several B vitamins. Most importantly, it’s a wonderful source of fibre, and in particular, a compound called inulin.
Inulin is a type of soluble fibre that acts as a prebiotic. That means it encourages the growth of good bacteria in your cat’s gut. Cats lack the enzymes necessary to break down inulin. However, the microbiota in their colon can do so via fermentation, producing short-chain fatty acids which lower intestinal pH.(1) This has the knock-on effect of improving nutrient absorption and supporting both the digestive system and the immune system. All of which helps to keep your fur baby in excellent health!
To add Jerusalem artichoke powder to your cat’s diet, simply mix a small pinch into their regular food. You can increase this to 1/8-1/4 of a teaspoon per day, depending on the size of your moggy.
Milk thistle
Just like for humans, milk thistle is among the best cat supplements for supporting liver health. It’s available as both an oil and a powder, with each having slightly different advantages.
One of milk thistle powder’s active ingredients is silymarin, a potent antioxidant. Milk thistle oil, meanwhile, is rich in vitamin E and other phytonutrients which also have powerful antioxidant properties. This means both forms of the supplement can protect your furry friend’s cells from damage caused by free radicals.
In addition, milk thistle has anti-inflammatory properties, and may work to prevent toxins from binding to liver cells.(2) All of which could help to gently cleanse the body and protect the health of your cat’s kidneys. Vitamin E further works to keep your kitty’s skin healthy and their fur beautifully glossy.
Some studies suggest milk thistle might additionally reduce the liver damage caused by disease and as a side effect of chemotherapy drugs.(3) However, you should always seek advice from a vet before using the supplement on pets with existing health conditions.
Feed 5ml of milk thistle oil or mix ½-1 tsp of powder per 10kg of body weight into their wet food.
Chia seed oil
You’re probably aware that omega-3 is good for your health, but did you know it’s also beneficial for your cat? Like us, cats are unable to make omega-3 on their own. Providing a supplement rich in these fatty acids – like chia seed oil – helps to ensure they obtain enough in their diet.
Chia seed oil may work to boost the health of your pet’s heart. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory properties make it an effective way to keep their joints mobile, plus combat itchy or dry skin. In addition, the omega-3 in chia seed oil may strengthen your cat’s follicles, making their fur thicker and glossier. A healthier coat can also reduce shedding and result in your kitty having fewer hairballs. That’s good news for both you and them!
If you feed your pet fish as part of their diet, they will get some omega-3 that way. However, chia seed oil is one of the best cat supplements if you want a plant-based option to enhance their health. Simply give your moggy 1ml of oil per 2kg of body weight, up to twice a day.
Ashwagandha
Cats can experience stress just like we do. This could be due to anything from boredom to visiting the vet or having a new pet in the house. Stress may cause physical reactions such as vomiting, as well as behavioural ones like scratching furniture, hiding, and over-grooming.
If you’re looking for something to alleviate your pet’s anxiety, ashwagandha is one of the best cat supplements for stress. As an adaptogen, ashwagandha helps the mind and body to cope with stress more effectively. This could reduce the sort of symptoms mentioned above. As a bonus, the herb may also decrease inflammation and pain in cats suffering from conditions such as arthritis.
To add ashwagandha to your cat’s diet, simply blend 50-100mg into their wet food. Please note that ashwagandha might not be suitable for cats who have certain health conditions or are on medication. This is because the herb can interact with sedatives and drugs that affect the immune system. As with all supplements, consult a veterinarian before giving ashwagandha to your pet.
Sea buckthorn
When it comes to cat vitamin supplements, sea buckthorn is a fantastic choice. This tiny berry is rich in vitamins C and E, as well as folate and beta-carotene. Not to mention, it’s also a great source of omega-7 fatty acids and potent phytonutrients. These all help to keep your kitty’s fur soft and shiny, plus enhance the health of their eyes. All the better for pouncing on toys and chasing laser pointers!
Moreover, sea buckthorn is one of the best cat supplements for soothing and healing skin irritations. It does this by reducing inflammation and supporting hydration. In addition, sea buckthorn acts as an antioxidant. This means it could protect your furry friend’s cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Like milk thistle, you can give your cat sea buckthorn in both oil and powder form. For the oil, feed your kitty 10 drops per 5kg of body weight, up to twice a day. Alternatively, mix 1/8 to 1/4 of a teaspoon of powder daily into either their wet food or water.
Medicinal mushrooms for pets
Several of the best cat supplements are types of medicinal mushrooms. These offer a wealth of health-supporting properties above and beyond their nutritional value. For example, like ashwagandha, they act as adaptogens and reduce the negative impact of stress on your pet’s body.
Furthermore, medicinal mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides known as beta-glucans. These can help support the immune system, gut health, and cardiovascular health. But don’t worry, these mushrooms won’t cause your kitty to hallucinate!
Below is an overview of how some of the different kinds of medicinal mushrooms might enhance your cat’s wellbeing. Whichever you choose, we recommend giving it to your kitty in cycles. That’s because functional fungi are quite potent and can affect the functioning of the immune system. We suggest taking a break of a few weeks after eight weeks of use. This helps to avoid your cat developing a tolerance to them or over-stimulating their immune system.
To add medicinal mushrooms to your cat’s diet, simply mix the powder into their normal wet food. We recommend using 50-100mg per 1kg of your kitty’s body weight, divided into 2-3 doses throughout the day.
Turkey tail
Turkey tail is one of the best cat supplements for gut health. These mushrooms are rich in prebiotic fibre, which is key for the digestive system. It helps to nourish the good bacteria in your kitty’s gut, enabling them to absorb more nutrients from their food. Turkey tail is additionally high in compounds such as polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK), which could provide natural immunity support.
Cordyceps
In humans, cordyceps is gaining popularity as a way to boost energy and improve athletic performance. What’s interesting is that it might have similar benefits for our feline friends. The fungus is among the best cat supplements for raising energy levels and endurance. So it’s perfect for kitties who love to play! Like other medicinal mushrooms, cordyceps can also support immunity. For example, studies have found that the fungus could be a promising treatment for the feline immunodeficiency virus.(5)
Lion’s mane
With the name lion’s mane, this medicinal mushroom has to be one of the best cat supplements! The fungus is especially beneficial for brain health, thanks to the neuroprotective effects of compounds such as hericenones and erinacines. Studies on mice suggest it can stimulate the growth of brain cells and protect against diseases such as Alzheimer’s.(6) Lion’s mane may additionally work to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.(7) All of which makes the mushroom a roaring success when it comes to improving your cat’s memory, mood and focus.
Reishi
Nicknamed ‘the mushroom of immortality’, reishi is among the best cat supplements for enhancing immunity. It’s bursting with potent polysaccharides and secondary metabolites which can help to support your pet’s immune system. This includes reducing inflammation, fighting allergies, and assisting with respiratory issues. The fungus may even improve the quality of your kitty’s sleep – not that many cats need assistance with that!
Safety considerations when using cat supplements
Experts generally consider all the cat supplements we’ve mentioned to be safe for feline consumption. However, there are some factors to consider before adding any to your pet’s diet.
First, even the best cat supplements should not be thought of as a replacement for professional veterinary care or medicine. Likewise, if your pet has an existing health condition or is on medication, supplements might not be suitable for them. This is because there is a chance of experiencing unwanted interactions or side effects. Even if your kitty is in perfect health, we recommend speaking to the vet before feeding them any functional foods.
In addition, we suggest only giving supplements to fully grown cats. Similarly, it’s best not to feed them to cats who are pregnant or nursing their kittens. This is simply because there have not been enough studies to confirm the safety of doing so.
And of course, when adding functional foods to your pet’s diet, be sure not to exceed the recommended dose. This will vary depending on the size of your cat, as well as their specific needs and health status.
Finally, keep an eye on your pet to ensure that they don’t experience any side effects or allergic reactions. If you notice any negative change in their health or behaviour, stop using the supplements and take them to the vet straight away.
It’s important to note that many cat supplements have not been extensively studied, so we have limited information on exactly how effective they are. Therefore, it’s crucial to find products that you can trust. Likewise, the best cat supplements are those specifically designed for animals – you shouldn’t give your pet the same ones that you take.
Choosing high quality cat supplements
Whichever type of cat food supplements you opt for, it’s important to choose a product that is of high quality. This will help ensure that your kitty gets the maximum benefits, plus reduce the chances of them experiencing side effects. Here are a few key points to keep in mind.
First, the best cat supplements are those without any fillers, additives, or other unwanted ingredients. Likewise, we recommend going for an organic product wherever possible. That way, you know there were no chemicals involved in the cultivation of the plants.
When creating our cat supplements, we use only the finest ingredients. We source these directly from independent farms, and make our products in small batches to ensure the quality remains high.
Similarly, our expert mycologists cultivate the fungi we use for our medicinal mushroom powders on top quality, natural and organic substrates. In addition, we have them checked by an accredited tester to confirm that they’re rich in beta-glucans and secondary metabolites.
Here at Boosie, we firmly believe that our cats are more than just pets – they’re part of our families. As such, they deserve the very best cat supplements. And that’s exactly what we aim to deliver. Our functional plant-based foods can help to keep your kitty in optimal health the natural way. Purrfect!
