Vitamins for a kitten: how to choose the right one?

Pets need not only food, love and comfort, but also nutritional supplements - this helps them lead a full, happy life. We have compiled a rating of the TOP 17 best vitamins for kittens. In stores you can find many complexes that improve the health of animals - there are different types of vitamins for kittens. Many contain biotin, because it is very important for a shiny coat. But in all this diversity it is easy to get lost. How to choose the best vitamins for kittens? We will tell you which ones are most suitable for your pet. Also at the end of the article you will find information on how to properly give the supplement to your pet, why it is needed and how to choose the right product.

The best vitamins for kittens

Comparative characteristics

To choose the best vitamins for kittens, check out the comparative characteristics.

So, we found out that the best vitamins for adult and small kittens of all breeds are Anivital CaniAgil. They improve your pet's overall health and help make their coat look better. Ideal for transition from breastfeeding to regular food. But they are quite expensive.

The Russian complex Agrovetzaschita "Radostin" has the best comparative price-quality characteristics. This supplement also strengthens the immune system and improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and also solves hair problems.

Gamavit is most suitable for recovery after serious illnesses and operations. But to use it, you will have to learn how to give injections yourself. This supplement improves immunity, stress resistance, and restores health and strength.

If your animal eats natural food, then give him Canina Cat Mineral Tabs. It is specially recommended for those who do not eat dry food. You can give it as soon as you wean the kitten from the cat’s breast, along with the first adult food.

What do Scottish Fold cats suffer from?

Scottish Folds are quite healthy. However, there are several diseases that are genetically characteristic of this breed.

• Osteochondrodysplasia (OCD) is a malformation of cartilage and bone tissue, which leads to a slowdown in their growth. This disease is considered incurable, so only supportive therapy is prescribed.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a disease in which many hollow tumors with liquid contents (cysts) form in the kidneys. As a result, the affected organs do not fully perform their function.
• Cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the normal functioning of the heart muscle is disrupted.

Also, Scottish Fold cats can suffer from diseases that are typical for most purring pets. These include problems with the genitourinary system, skin and other diseases.

Why does a kitten need vitamins?

Kittens have fragile health, so they definitely need to be given vitamins. This will help build strong immunity from the first months of life. Thanks to the supplements, the skeleton will develop correctly and all organs will be healthy. Here's what else you need to do to ensure your animal grows up healthy:

• feed properly;
• Get regular check-ups with a veterinarian;
• pay as much attention as possible;
• filter drinking water;
• get vaccinated;
• regularly cleanse the body of worms, even if the animal does not go outside;
• On warm days, let it out onto the balcony or take it outside so that the animal can absorb vitamin D from the sun. This is important for proper bone growth, healthy nails and fur;
• play with the animal to make it move more.

Kittens need vitamins for full growth and development.

Important! Even if you follow all these recommendations, special vitamin supplements are needed.

How to care for a Scottish Fold cat

The thick fur of these animals requires constant and careful care. Cats need to be brushed at least a couple of times a week. During the periods of spring and autumn moulting, it is advisable to do this every day.

Another important point is ear care. Due to their unusual structure, quite a lot of wax accumulates in the ears. You can remove it using cotton swabs and special lotions that are sold in pet stores. This procedure should be carried out on average once every week or two.

Don't forget to trim your pet's nails regularly. Syda_Productions / Depositphotos.com

Also, Scottish Folds need to have their nails trimmed regularly, about once a month.

As for bathing, it is enough for only pets to have a bath day once every six months or even less often, and for those who like to go for a walk - every couple of months.

How does vitamin deficiency manifest in a kitten?

If you notice that your kitten is less playful, has a disrupted daily routine, sleeps too much, is unsteady and clumsy - these are clear signs that he needs vitamins. Also signs of vitamin deficiency are loss of confidence in movements, hair loss and dullness, rapid weight loss, frequent illnesses, protruding ribs. In this case, you must definitely go to the veterinarian so that he can prescribe the necessary complex of vitamins. You can understand exactly what substances are missing in your cat’s body only after receiving test results.

If your kitten becomes lethargic and sleepy, contact your veterinarian

But we can guess what exactly the animal needs based on the following signs:

• in vitamins of group A - the kitten cannot digest food, it breathes heavily, and there is tearing in the eyes;
• group B – the animal is weakened, food is poorly digested, weight decreases, and problems with the musculoskeletal system appear;
• vitamin C – the pet gets sick more and more often, scurvy appears, teeth begin to fall out;
• when there is a deficiency of D, the kitten grows poorly, its spine and bones are curved, and rickets appears;
• if K - the animal becomes aggressive, eats poorly, and blood clotting worsens.

How to feed Scottish Fold cats

The easiest way is to stick to ready-made wet and dry food. It is better to choose from lines of proven brands, because only high-quality complete food provides the animal with all the necessary proteins, fats, carbohydrates, microelements and vitamins. In addition, you can sometimes give healthy treats that not only help diversify the menu, but also, for example, help clean the animal’s teeth.

Select a ready-made diet taking into account the characteristics of the animal - age, health status and the presence of chronic diseases, sterilization, pregnancy and lactation.

Another option is natural products such as meat and offal, cereals. But ordinary food from the human table is prohibited for the Scots. It simply will not provide the cat’s body with everything it needs, and sometimes it can even pose a danger to their life.

The food on our table is not suitable for cats. belchonock / Depositphotos.com

When deciding what to feed your Scottish Fold, consider what kind of food he was accustomed to while he lived with the breeder. A sudden change will not benefit the animal, and the kitten may simply refuse unusual food. Even if you decide to change your diet, you need to do it gradually.

Representatives of this breed are often prone to obesity. This must be taken into account when planning your diet. You should not overfeed your pet, as obesity can lead to a number of health problems.

Causes of vitamin deficiency

The reasons for the lack of vitamins may lie in various factors. In the first month and a half, kittens receive all the substances they need for growth and development from their mother’s milk. Moreover, the first portions of colostrum contain not only vitamins, but also a large amount of protein, including enzymes and immunoglobulins. Thanks to this, at the very beginning of life, babies are protected from infections and vitamin deficiency. But their needs grow with age, and they no longer have enough nutrients obtained from milk. This is especially true if the cat has a lot of cubs. At this moment, hypovitaminosis may develop, because the kitten is not yet accustomed to adult food, and there is no longer enough milk.

A natural-fed kitten definitely needs vitamins

Other reasons may be:

• improper nutrition – cheap food, food not suitable for kittens, feeding “from the table”;
• helminthiases;
• early weaning from the mother's breast;
• illnesses that required antibiotics;
• stress (too cold or hot temperature in the house, noisy environment, children in the apartment);
• past infections and gastrointestinal problems.

All this can cause a lack of vitamins. If possible, it should be eliminated and the kitten should be given the necessary substances.

What is the character of a Scottish Fold cat?

Scottish Folds are distinguished by their kind, calm and balanced character. Their lifestyle is quite measured, hyperactivity is usually not typical for them. You are unlikely to constantly find such a pet trying to climb onto the closet and over the curtains, or simply rushing briskly around the rooms. But this does not mean that Scottish Fold cats are absolutely passive and behave like plush toys. They are naturally quite curious and enthusiastically explore everything that surrounds them.

Scottish Fold cats are calm and balanced. VGatto / Depositphotos.com

How Scottish Fold cats get along with adults

Representatives of this breed are very loyal and sincerely become attached to people. It is believed that they choose one object of adoration, but this is not always the case. Many Scots treat all family members equally warmly and single out someone especially based on their mood.

Scottish Folds readily show their emotions and love to communicate using meows and purrs. Demonstrating affection, they can literally follow a person around the entire apartment. And in attempts to gain attention, they often show persistence and willfulness.

Most Scottish Fold cats are not very fond of being cuddled or picked up. Although depending on their mood they may well purr on their knees. They usually have nothing against stroking and other caresses.

How Scottish Fold cats get along with children

When communicating with children, purrs are patient and calm. Aggression is rarely shown, and to provoke it, you need to try very hard. They don’t always like too much fun and noisy games, so cats try to avoid such activities and sit on the sidelines.

How do Scottish Fold cats get along with other pets?

The Scots get along well with dogs. ViktoriaSapata / Depositphotos.com

Scottish Folds coexist quite comfortably with dogs and other cats. At the same time, they emphasize neutrality and do not try to impose their superiority in an aggressive manner. But their hunting instinct may prevent them from making friends with a hamster or parrot.

How to choose vitamins for a kitten every day

a doctor can choose the right complex for a kitten after conducting the necessary tests. They will show what vitamins he lacks and in what proportion. But you can choose a specific additive yourself, depending on its composition, purpose and price.

It is important to decide on the shape of the product. They are available in the form:

• tablets;
• powders;
• suspensions;
• drops;
• injections;
• capsules

It is most convenient to give vitamins to kittens in the form of drops in their food.

On a note! Drops are best for babies - this way they can drop the vitamin into their mouths. Injections are usually chosen in extreme cases - if the animal has recently undergone major surgery or is currently ill.

Most often, veterinarians recommend complex supplements that contain the minerals and acids necessary for the animal’s body. But in case of deficiency of a specific substance, which is quite rare, one vitamin without additives is prescribed. Breeders of certain breeds should be aware that their pet requires certain substances. For example, British cats need calcium because they have very large bones, but Scottish Fold cats need less calcium.

Important! Do not choose the supplement yourself, be sure to consult with a specialist, because otherwise, instead of benefit, they can cause harm!

What living conditions do Scottish Fold cats require?

Representatives of this breed will be quite comfortable within the walls of an ordinary apartment. The main thing is to give them their own secluded place where the cat can spend time alone with itself. In this case, the bed should be located away from drafts that are dangerous for Scottish Folds.

Protect your pet from drafts / Royal-canin.ru

For the safety of the animal, it is advisable to install special protective nets on the windows. If they are not there, the cat may fall out of the window when trying to catch a bird or a falling leaf.

It’s worth taking care of your cat’s leisure time. In addition to a sleeping place and a tray, a Scotsman definitely needs a scratching post. With its help, he will be able to put his paws in order and will not encroach on your furniture.

Diversify your pet's leisure time. belchonock / Depositphotos.com

What vitamins are there?

All funds can be divided into three groups:

• vitamin and mineral complexes, which are available in the form of tablets, capsules, powders or drops. They contain no additional additives, they are pure vitamins and minerals;
• nutritional supplements. They are usually mixed into your pet's food. In addition to vitamins, they also contain other active components that have a positive effect on digestion, strengthen the immune system and the body as a whole;
• treats with vitamins. These could be, for example, sticks or pads, which cats themselves eat with pleasure. Usually used in addition to other complexes, they themselves have little effect.

Only a veterinarian can select the most suitable vitamins.
Vitamins are divided into groups and according to how they act.
There are complexes for general strengthening of the body that help the kitten develop harmoniously, remain healthy and cheerful. The second type is means for a specific effect, for example, to improve the quality of wool or strengthen bones.

What do Scottish fold cats look like?

Representatives of this breed have a squat body with well-developed muscles. The paws are powerful and not too long. The neck is short, the head is quite large and rounded, with a strong chin and round whisker pads. The tail is usually medium or long, pointed towards the end.

Scottish Folds have a very impressive appearance / phz8.petinsurance.com

The Scottish coat is short, straight, thick and soft. There are various colors - solid (for example, cream, white, black, blue), two-color, tabby, tortoiseshell, smoky and others.

A characteristic feature of the Scottish Fold is the small ears pressed to the head, which are folded forward and droop slightly. This difference is caused by a gene mutation that causes cartilage, including the ear cartilage, to become softer.

How to give vitamins

The dosage is determined depending on the weight of the animal. The correct proportions should be prescribed by a veterinarian. If you are giving the supplement for prevention, follow the instructions on the package. Always carefully monitor your pet's condition while taking the drug: he may develop an allergy or intolerance to one of the components.

Cats are headstrong and finicky animals. Quite often they refuse to eat vitamins. This can be caused by two reasons:

• the pet does not like the taste;
• the animal is not satisfied with the form of the drug.

In the first case, you need to look for other vitamins, the taste of which will be more to the liking of the picky person. Then she herself will eat them with pleasure. In the second, replace the form. For example, if your cat refuses to eat tablets, buy her the same product in powder or gel form and mix it into her food. You can do the same with a tablet, if you crush it first.

If the kitten is very small, you need to give it drops by opening its mouth with one hand and dripping it onto the root of the tongue with the other. Then pat your pet on the neck to activate his swallowing reflex. The same can be done with older animals if they stubbornly refuse to take the medicine they need.

Video - How to give a cat a pill

Voting for the best vitamins

What vitamins would you choose or recommend?

Anivital CaniAgil

10.00 % ( 1 )

Wolmar Winsome for Kitten

30.00 % ( 3 )

Beaphar brewers yeast with garlic

0.00 % ( 0 )

Grau Sanofor

0.00 % ( 0 )

Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Forti Flora

10.00 % ( 1 )

8 In 1 Excel Brewer's Yeast

0.00 % ( 0 )

Canina Cat Mineral Tabs

30.00 % ( 3 )

Viyo Reinforces Cat Kitten

0.00 % ( 0 )

Beaphar Kitty's Taurine + Biotin

0.00 % ( 0 )

Polidex Immunity Up

0.00 % ( 0 )

Beaphar laveta super

0.00 % ( 0 )

Unitabs SterilCat

0.00 % ( 0 )

Agrovet protection "Radostin"

10.00 % ( 1 )

Farmavit Neo "Growth Energy of Kittens"

0.00 % ( 0 )

Gamavit

0.00 % ( 0 )

Veda "Fitomina Hematocat for kittens"

0.00 % ( 0 )