This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
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While there is not strong evidence supporting the use of enzymes, many cat owners and veterinarians have observed that supplemental enzymes can promote good digestive health in cats, particularly older cats and cats with digestive issues.[1] They can also be effective if a vet has diagnosed your cat with an enzymatic deficiency, like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. If you choose to give your cat enzymes, you can administer them by either mixing them in with your cat's food, or by giving your cat a chewable tablet before or after its meal. Remember to always consult your veterinarian first before supplementing your cat’s diet with enzymes.
Steps
Trying an Enzyme Powder
- 1Choose a powder for the most effective enzyme administration. Sprinkling an enzyme powder on your cat’s food is considered the easiest way to give enzymes to your cat. It’s easier to digest than a capsule or tablet, which must be broken down in your cat’s intestines before the active ingredient can become effective. The powder will work faster and be easier on your cat’s digestive system.
- This is especially important because cats often need to take enzymes because they can’t break down or digest certain foods, which means they’ll have a harder time digesting the supplement. Using the powder will make it a bit easier on them.
Begin with a small dosage. When you begin supplementing your cat’s food with enzymes, start with a dosage that is smaller than the recommended amount. Over the course of one to two weeks, gradually increase the dosage to the proper amount. This way you can monitor the effects of the supplements on your cat’s health.[2]- For example, if you feed your cat one cup of food per day, then sprinkle less than ¼ teaspoon of powder onto your cat’s food for the first five to seven days.
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Sprinkle the powder onto your cat’s food. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of powder for every cup of food, or sprinkle an appropriate amount of powder per the instructions on the bottle. You can mix the powder into your cat's dry or wet food, or leave it on top.[3]- For example, if you feed your cat two cups of food per day, then sprinkle ½ teaspoon of enzyme powder over your cat’s food.
- Some products may advise you to mix the powder with water. If this is the case, then mix the powder with an appropriate amount of water per the instructions on the bottle.
Weigh the pros and cons of powdered enzymes. Because dosing is easier to control with powders, you may want to choose the powder form over the tablet. However, the powder may make your cat's food soupy and unappetizing.[4]- If your cat refuses to eat its food because the enzymes make it unappetizing, then opt for the chewable tablets instead.
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Using Chewable Tablets
Break the tablet in half. Do this when you begin to administer the supplements during the first week. This way you can monitor the effects of the supplements on your cat’s health. After the first week, discuss any positive or negative outcomes you observed on your cat's health with your veterinarian.[5]- You may also want to break the tablets in half if you feed your cat less than the recommended amount of food for the dosage. For example, if the instructions tell you to give your cat one tablet for every two cups of food, but you only feed your cat one cup of food, then break the tablet in half to adjust the dosing.
Give your cat the tablet before or after its meal. Some products require you to give your cat the tablet before its meal, while others require you to give it after. Just make sure to administer the tablet per the instructions on the bottle.[6]- If the instructions do not specify when to give your cat the tablet, then it is safe to give it either before or after its meal.
Use a pill pocket. Do this if your cat will not take the tablet by itself. A pill pocket is similar to a treat. However, a pill pocket has a small space for you to place the tablet inside. Place the tablet inside the pill pocket and give your cat the "treat" before or after its meal per the instructions on the bottle.[7]Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Before giving your cat supplemental enzymes, always consult your vet. Your vet will be able to recommend a supplement that fits your cat’s dietary needs.Your vet will also want to monitor your cat to see if the supplemental enzymes are improving its health.[8]Thanks
- You can find supplemental enzymes at your local pet store or online.Thanks
- Thanks
References
- ↑ http://feline-nutrition.org/nutrition/are-probiotics-and-digestive-enzymes-needed
- ↑ http://www.catster.com/cat-food/cat-vitamins
- ↑ http://www.allfelinehospital.com/pancreas.pml
- ↑ https://www.vetinfo.com/feline-digestive-enzymes.html
- ↑ http://www.allfelinehospital.com/pancreas.pml
- ↑ http://www.allfelinehospital.com/pancreas.pml
- ↑ http://www.allfelinehospital.com/pilling-your-cat.pml
- ↑ http://www.catster.com/cat-food/cat-vitamins
About this article
To give supplemental enzymes to your cat, sprinkle enzyme powder on its food so it can easily digest the supplement. You should start off with a smaller dosage than recommended in order to monitor its effects on your cat’s health. Then, over 1 to 2 weeks, you can slowly increase the dosage up to the right amount. If your cat won’t eat its food when enzyme powder is in it, try giving it a chewable tablet instead. You should administer the tablet when the bottle instructs, whether that’s before or after your cat’s meal. You can also put the tablet in a pill pocket if your cat won’t eat the tablet by itself. For more help from our Veterinary co-author, including how you should administer an enzyme tablet in the first week by breaking it in half, read on!
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