Sarah Zimmerman / Cats.com
We’ve chosen Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Probiotic Cat Supplement as the best cat supplement on the market because it’s a veterinarian-recommended, widely-used nutritional supplement that’s appropriate for all cats.
Since all cats have different needs, our product roundup includes the best probiotic supplement, urinary tract health supplement, multivitamin, and fish oil.
To choose the best vitamins and supplements on the market, we evaluated the most popular products on Amazon and Chewy, tested the authenticity of their reviews, and read relevant discussions from veterinarians and pet nutrition experts.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Cat Vitamins and Supplements
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Probiotic Cat Supplement
- Highly-rated and recommended by veterinarians
- Contains probiotics for overall health
- Supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and taurine
Open Farm Bone Broth
- Rich in collagen and health-boosting nutrients
- Low in fat and calories
- Great way to add moisture and flavor to cat food
Tomlyn Felovite II Nutritional Gel Cat & Kitten Supplement
- Contains numerous vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
- Appetizing fish flavor that cats enjoy
- Low price
Vet’s Preferred Cat Urinary Tract Chews
- Formulated to support urinary tract health
- Made with natural, plant-based ingredients
- Also supports kidney and heart function
Feline Prime
- Easy to administer powdered formula
- Made with beef bone broth
- Contains 2 billion CFUs of probiotics
Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats
- Made with 100% wild-caught Alaskan salmon
- Rich source of EPA and DHA
- Supports skin, coat, eyes, joints, and digestion
Nusentia Probiotic Miracle for Dogs and Cats
- Synergized with prebiotics for maximum efficacy
- A well-known and popular supplement
- High CFU count
Animal Nutritional Products UroMAXX Urinary, Kidney & Bladder Dog & Cat Supplement
- Many customers say that the supplement treated their cats’ urinary tract conditions or helped to prevent recurrence
- Palatable flavor
- Appears to be safe for all cats
Top Picks Explained
Why Trust Cats.com
Over the past few years, I’ve spent a lot of time studying feline biology, primarily from a nutritional perspective. To write this piece, I dug into the topic of feline digestive health, relying on scientific publications and resources like the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and the NIH’s in-depth report on probiotics.
To identify the best vitamins and supplements for cats, I examined product listings, cat health forums, and customer reviews. And because the vitamins and supplements space is plagued by fake customer reviews, I also put the reviews’ veracity to the test on FakeSpot.com.
Throughout the process, I consulted veterinary experts to learn more about the role vitamins can play in supporting digestive health and how to identify trustworthy products.
Do Cats Really Need Vitamins and Supplements?
Sherry Sanderson, DVM, PhD, of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, says that “there are some circumstances where a cat has an underlying condition that may warrant a supplement,” adding that supplements may not help at all due to a lack of testing or proven efficacy. Sanderson says that “many supplements are untested and unproven in veterinary medicine.”
Vitamins supplementation may be necessary for cats with certain conditions.
Also Read: 10 Best Joint Supplements for Cats
Some diseases inhibit nutrient absorption, which necessitates vitamin supplementation. Cats with allergies or pregnant cats may benefit from other supplements.
Ultimately, the requirement for cat vitamins and supplements is one that you can only determine on an individual basis. Consult with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to find the right supplement for your cat.
Types of Vitamins and Supplements
Here’s a quick summary of the types of supplements your cat might need.
Vitamins and Multivitamins
Multivitamins commonly contain B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, and the amino acid taurine. These are naturally present in fresh, raw, or cooked and fortified food, but some cats may require a boost due to excess urination, dietary deficiencies, or nutrient absorption problems. Your vet can help you determine if your cat has these health or dietary problems.
If you determine that your cat needs a multivitamin, decide whether you’ll give them a pill, chewable tablet, powder, or gel. Generally, supplement gels are the most palatable and receive the highest customer ratings, but they tend to contain corn syrup and other sugary ingredients that cats don’t need.
Can You Give Your Cat Too Much of a Vitamin?
Talk to your veterinarian before adding vitamins to your cat’s diet.
Most vitamins are water-soluble and will pass out of your cat’s body and into their litter box, meaning that the biggest problem you’ll encounter is what some describe as “really expensive pee”. You’ve wasted money on vitamins your cat doesn’t need.
Some vitamins, however, remain in the body and can cause toxicity after a period of sustained over-supplementation. These include vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins are fat-soluble, meaning that they can accumulate in the body’s fat stores for a long time.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements
These supplements can reduce inflammation and promote a healthy skin and coat.
Give your cat omega-3s from animal sources, including fish and krill oil. Fish and krill oil contain the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which are easily utilized by the body.
Plant-based omega-3 supplements contain ALA, which is another type of omega-3 fatty acid. ALA must be converted into DHA and EPA before the body can utilize it. While herbivores and omnivores can convert ALA into DHA and EPA, cats can’t.
Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes
Probiotics are live, active microorganisms that benefit the host. They support and fortify the population of friendly microorganisms that already exist in your cat’s body.
A healthy microbiome supports immune health, digestive health, and can reduce inflammation.
Digestive enzymes are similar to probiotics—they’re naturally found within your cat’s body and in fresh food and help the digestive system break down food.
Added digestive enzymes may help cats with reduced pancreatic function, but it’s generally believed that they’re not necessary or helpful for healthy cats.
Want more information? Read our complete guide to the best probiotics for cats.
Other Supplements
There’s a supplement or herbal remedy for virtually every condition. Supplements claim to soothe anxiety, reduce the chances of developing feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), and treat other common conditions. It’s impossible to evaluate all of these supplements as a whole, as each one is different and requires individual analysis.
How To Choose the Best Vitamins and Supplements for Your Cat?
Do Your Research.
Because this space is full of products with hard-to-quantify health benefits and often little or no veterinary testing or validation, be diligent in your research. When shopping for the best cat vitamins and supplements, look for products that have a strong reputation and, preferably, clinical testing to back up their benefits.
Beware of Fake Reviews.
Customer reviews are a great resource for analysis. Authentic ones can tell you a lot about the company and its products. Fake ones tell you something, too.
Before choosing any of the products on the above list of top vitamins and supplements, we checked their listings on FakeSpot to weed out any with suspicious reviews.
Best Cat Supplements on the Market Today
Want more information? Read our complete guide to the best cat food for urinary tract health
Choosing the Best Supplement for Your Cat
All of the products on the above list are well-respected with a reputation for effectiveness but aren’t necessarily the best choices for you and your cat.
Before choosing any product, ensure that the product suits your needs. Your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist can evaluate your cat’s unique situation and help you choose the right product.
I use this oil “American Journey Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil Liquid Dog&Cat” sometimes. I can say that there are no cons to it. My cat is crazy about this oil.
We have a 12 pound fixed male cat named “rudy” who was a rescue. His age is a mystery but, the vet figures he is about 14–15 years old now. he appears to be in good health and tears around the house and follows me a lot. we are buds. I noticed him staring fixedly at nothing on occasion in the last year. i told my vet about it and she says he might be in early stages of senility and suggested maybe giving him vitamins containing antioxidents, vitamins c and e, beta carotine, carnitine?, carotenoids, omega 3 flavonoids and selenium. WHEW! Please excuse the spellings. Anyway, try finding that somewhere.
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Thomas, good question. I believe that Felovite’s nutritional gel is probably the one that comes closest to meeting the criteria your vet described. You can follow up with her to confirm, but it contains a good array of omega-3s, antioxidants, and other nutrients that may be beneficial to your cat. Here’s a link: https://www.healthypets.com/tomlyn-felovite-ii-2-5-oz.html
What do you think about Cat Mix supplement from Life Extensions?
lifeextension.com/vitamins-supplements/item01932/cat-mix
I would like to add some probiotics for constipation form my 15 yo. cat. I looked at your recommendation: Dr. Mercola Complete Probiotics Dog & Cat Supplement, but I will not support this brand.
Life Extension has very strong reputation for human supplement.
I would greatly appreciate your input.
Thank You
Forti Flora is good, however if your cat has food allergies it can cause issues. Our cat had skin break outs. Our vet recommended Nutramax Proviable as an alternative. Proviable doesn’t have the flavorings or something and it works great. Our cat actually likes that Proviable is tasteless.
I just found out my tabby cat Reese is FIV positive. He is a rescue from outdoors. I’m looking for vitamins that will help build his immune system.
Hi Arleen, your timing couldn’t have been better! We just published a short video on this subject. I hope you find it helpful!
Do you have any recommendations for something that’s good for joints and mobility? My young Scottish folds seem to be rather stiff
While the research on glucosamine and chondroitin is not very promising, a lot of people (including vets) swear by it, and it might help. Other than that, I would focus on omega-3 fatty acids to relieve inflammation. Here’s a guide to the best omega-3 supplements for cats.
thank you!
I have been giving my cat an all natural vitamin by the brand balanced breed for almost three months now and the results are amazing. I see a big improvement on her immune system, joints, weight regulation and her fur is shiny and soft. vitamins really do help your feline friends 🙂
Cool, thanks for sharing!
What is a good supplement to help boost liver function in my cat?
There’s a supplement called Denamarin that has been demonstrated to be able to support liver function in cats. Hope this helps!
Hi, which probiotic would you choose out of three? I cant decide. Atm I am giving the pro plan now and i want to find the best quality
It really depends on your cat’s needs. I would lean towards the Purina Fortiflora, as it is the one that seems to be the best-researched and recommended by vets. You can learn more about our top probiotics in our article on the subject here.