Antioxidants for cats

A promising area for cognitive function in old age — but cats cannot convert β-carotene into vitamin A, so human and canine benchmarks do not transfer.

Also called · polyphenols · carotenoids · vitamin C · α-lipoic acid

What it is

Antioxidants act to reduce cell damage from reactive oxygen species. Polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamins C and E all belong here.

What it does

Cognition in old age

Antioxidant-enriched therapeutic diets for dogs are expected to help ease the signs of cognitive dysfunction. The ingredients come across from human anti-ageing research.

Situations that raise the oxidative load

Excess accumulated fat becomes a source of reactive oxygen species under heat stress. This is the point where weight management and antioxidants meet.

How to feed it

🐈 Feeding cats

The same.

When · how long

Consistently, from the point the animal enters old age.

What to watch for

Caution · Carrots are not vitamin A

Cats cannot convert β-carotene into vitamin A. Antioxidant foods chosen by human or canine standards do not carry over to cats.

Note · They make their own vitamin C

Unlike humans, dogs and cats synthesise vitamin C internally. There is little reason to supplement it by human standards.

Concerns this ingredient relates to

General nutrition information. It does not replace a diagnosis or a prescription. If your animal has a medical condition or is on medication, talk to your veterinarian first.

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