Cat supplements can play an important role in supporting long-term health, but with so many options and conflicting information, it can be hard to know if your cat really needs them or which ones are best. This vet-reviewed guide explains when supplements can help, and how to choose the right ones.

Key Takeaways

  • Many cats can benefit from targeted supplements, including joint, digestive, calming, and skin & coat support - but individual needs vary depending on age, lifestyle, and health history.

  • Preventative supplements help maintain long-term health, while reactive supplements can support cats experiencing specific issues.

  • Even cats on a complete, high-quality diet may occasionally benefit from supplements for specific conditions or preventative support.

  • Supplements for specific medication conditions, such as kidney disease, may advise they are only for use alongside veterinary advice. Always check the product description to ensure they are suitable for your cat.

Explore our full cat supplements range.

Do Cats Need Supplements?

This is a common question among cat owners. The average healthy cat being fed a well balanced complete diet tailored to their life stage will likely not need supplementation.

Supplements are great though when there is a problem you’re looking to try to prevent, or one that your cat suffers from and needs support for:

  • Preventative Care – used before problems arise such as; to maintain joints, digestive upsets, urinary problems, skin conditions, and coat health, or support cognitive function in older cats.

  • Reactive Care – used to address a specific issue, typically on veterinary advice, such as; arthritis, stress, urinary problems, kidney disease or digestive upsets.

Do age, breed, and lifestyle matter?

Many factors influence whether a supplement may benefit your cat:

  • Age – kittens with growing joints, senior cats with arthritis or cognitive decline

  • Breed – certain breeds may be more prone to specific conditions, such as; urinary, dental, joint or skin issues

  • Lifestyle – indoor vs outdoor cats, multi-cat households, or high-stress environments

  • Health history – recurring digestive issues, urinary problems, or chronic conditions

  • Diet – raw and homemade diets may require vitamin and mineral supplementation

Our VioVet customer survey found that 33% of owners don’t usually buy supplements, showing that many pet parents may be cautious or unsure about whether their cat really needs them.

cat running outside

What Supplements are Good for Cats?

Choosing the right supplement can feel overwhelming. Here’s a look at the most commonly used cat supplements and how they may benefit your pet.

1. Joint Supplements

Joint degeneration can have a huge impact on cats’ physical and mental well-being. While not all joint problems are preventable, using joint supplements is a sensible proactive step, as they contain key ingredients that support joint tissue repair and renewal.

Many owners now include joint supplements as a staple part of their cat’s diet, whether or not there is an existing problem.

Joint supplements are especially useful for:

  • Cats diagnosed with joint disease, such as arthritis

  • Breeds that are pre-disposed to developing joint disease, such as Maine Coons, Himalayans and Persians

Recommended products:

2. Digestive Supplements

Digestive supplements help support gut health, making them useful for cats with sensitive digestion or occasional tummy upsets.

Digestive supplements are especially useful for:

  • Hunting cats who experience digestive upsets after scavenging

  • Pets who experience softer than normal stools

  • Cats with confirmed digestive conditions, alongside recommendation by a vet

VioVet vet Dr Nicholas Garside advises: "If your cat experiences recurrent or long term digestive issues, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, then it’s important you see your vet to get the underlying cause diagnosed rather than relying solely on supplementation".

Recommended products:

  • ReguTum™ Probiotic Paste – can be given directly or mixed into food, this paste helps support gut function and maintain natural microflora balance. Best suited for short term digestive episodes

  • ReguTum™ Fibre Care Powder – mixed directly into food, this powder promotes regular bowel movements and a healthy gut. Better suited for long term support than the paste

  • ReguTum™ Gastrointestinal Powder - similar to Fibre Care Powder but without the fibre, containing Vitamin B12, helpful for long term digestive issues

close up of cat licking paw

3. Calming Supplements

Calming supplements are useful for cats that experience stress, anxiety, or noise sensitivity. They can be used preventatively or reactively, especially during predictable stressors such as fireworks or vet visits.

They are especially useful for:

  • Cats prone to experiencing signs of stress; urinary problems, overgrooming, and hair loss. These signs can be caused by other conditions so it’s best to have a vet diagnosis of anxiety first

  • Upcoming stressful events as a preventative measure, such as changes in your cats environment

Recommended products:

4. Skin & Coat Supplements

Skin and coat supplements help support healthy skin, reduce dryness or irritation, and promote a glossy, well-conditioned coat. They can be used preventatively to maintain skin and coat health, or reactively to address existing issues.

Skin and coat supplements are especially useful for:

  • Cats with a diagnosed skin or coat condition, alongside veterinary recommendation, such as allergic dermatitis

  • Pets with flakey/dry skin, poor coat condition or those experiencing moulting to support the body’s normal repair and regrowth

Recommended products:

cat sleeping on a sofa

5. Urinary & Kidney Support

Cats prone to urinary issues or diagnosed with kidney concerns may benefit from targeted supplements.

Urinary and bladder supplements are especially useful for:

  • Cats with a vet diagnosed urinary or kidney condition

It's important to see your vet if your cat is having urinary issues, as rarely the underlying cause can require urgent veterinary intervention. All supplements used for managing kidney disease should only be used alongside veterinary advice.

Recommended products:

  • Urinary Support Sprinkle Capsules - a complementary feed supplement to support overall bladder health for your adult/senior cat

  • YuMOVE Urinary Care - a specially formulated, high-quality urinary support. Simply split the capsule and sprinkle the supplement over your cat’s food

  • VioVet RenaKal™ - a potassium, amino acid, iron and B-vitamin supplement for use in pets diagnosed with kidney issues, particularly those experiencing low blood potassium levels. Amount fed should be adjusted based on the degree of potassium depletion, under veterinary direction

6. Vitamin & Mineral Supplements

These provide a broad well balanced range of vitamins and minerals that the body needs for normal function.

Vitamin & Mineral supplements are especially useful for:

  • Cats fed incomplete diets, such as some raw or home-made diets

  • Owners who want to ensure their cat is in their best overall health to face any of life’s issues, such as an immune system challenge from a viral infection

Recommended products:

  • Accord Multi Cord Vet Supplement - an essential vitamin and amino acid supplement that comes in a tasty liquid formulation complete with dosing syringe

  • GWF Raw Aid - A high specification supplement for raw food diets, designed to provide 27 essential daily vitamins and minerals

  • Beaphar Top 10 Vitamins - contains the essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements that encourage vitality and aid physical condition

Support Your Cat’s Health

Supplements aren’t necessary for every cat, but they can make a meaningful difference - whether you’re looking to proactively support long-term health or manage existing issues.

Explore our full cat supplements range to find products designed to keep your cat healthy and happy.

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This article has been vet-reviewed, and our team is available if you need personalised advice.

References:

  1. https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_ct_hip_dysplasia

Written by: VioVet