Although it is not found in large amounts in the body, iron is a very important mineral for its proper functioning in the cats, just like in people. There are several causes that can cause a lack of iron in these animals, with symptoms appearing that we will describe later.
The lack of iron can be a very important he alth problem for our pet, therefore, on our site some foods rich in iron for cats.
Symptoms of iron deficiency in cats
Iron is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that is used to transport oxygen through the blood. For this reason, the symptoms of iron deficiency in cats are typical of anemia in these animals.
In these cases, you can see a progressive feeling of tiredness, in the animal, which tends to start as a lack of desire to game and end up in torpor. Another symptom that may appear is la pica, that is, the need to eat substances that are not food, such as garbage or feces.
But the most representative sign of anemia, and one of the easiest to detect, is pale mucous membranes Pale mucous membranes it can be easily seen by looking at the cat's gums, which, in cases of anemia, will appear whitish rather than pink. Take a look at the image below.
If these symptoms are detected, it is recommended to visit a veterinarian to diagnose the process that causes them.
Iron needs in cats
An feeding poorly compensated can cause iron deficiency in cats. This is extremely rare in animals fed commercial diets of either dry or wet (canned) food, but can occur in cats fed home-cooked diets.
Therefore, if you have decided to give up feed and opt for a homemade diet, we recommend that you go to a veterinarian for advice and carry out a feeding routine analytics that help you prevent any he alth problem in your feline.
Also, in most cases of anemia, a good iron intake in the diet is of great help to improve the situation. The blood loss, either due to internal bleeding (such as those caused by ulcers, the rupture of an organ, or certain types of cancer) or external (typical case of wounds), cause anemia.
When this happens, the animal's body usually tries to correct the situation by creating more red blood cells, for which it needs iron, so an extra contribution or a supplement can be of great help.
Likewise, some parasites such as fleas or certain intestinal worms are capable of causing a state of anemia, and iron intake is also very helpful in these cases.
Iron-rich foods for cats
Fortunately, there are many iron-rich foods that can be offered to cats. In general, it is best to provide nutritional supplements for animals rich in this nutrient, available at veterinary centers and specialized stores.
In addition, there are some specific feeds for cats with anemia, useful for animals with iron deficiency. However, it is possible to find foods rich in iron that can be used with good results, such as the ones we review below:
- Red meat: A good choice, usually rich in iron and suitable for cats. In any case, the he alth risks that raw meat can carry, especially if it is not fresh and of the highest quality, make it advisable to cook it minimally beforehand.
- Fish: food also very rich in iron, and very well accepted by cats. In addition to he alth issues, it is advisable to cook it since raw it contains thiaminases, substances that are harmful to cats.
- Liver: one of the best known and most recommended foods rich in iron. It should also not be fed raw.
- Green leafy vegetables and some cereals, especially whole grains, also contain iron in an interesting amount, but they seem more appropriate due to the characteristics of the animal, fundamentally carnivorous.
Remember that, although iron supplementation in the diet is very effective, in cases of anemia the iron-rich diet should be maintained for several months.
In addition, if the cause of iron deficiency is not an unbalanced diet, but some type of anemia, it is necessary to first eliminate the disease that causes it, otherwise the problem will not be solved. To do this, it is necessary to visit a veterinarian if we detect any symptoms of anemia in the cat, as we have said.
