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Feeding your cat a balanced diet is great, but is it enough to simply meet their minimum requirements? Could you be doing more to protect their health? Whether you’re curious about upgrading your cat’s nutrition or want to address a specific health concern, supplementing your cat’s dietary intake of antioxidants might be the solution.
You may already have a basic understanding of what antioxidants are and how they benefit human health, but we’ll really dive into the details in this guide. Here we’ll discuss the benefits of antioxidants for cats and explore cat-friendly food sources.
What Are Antioxidants?
Your cat’s body is made up of trillions of cells that perform specific functions and work together to keep essential systems running smoothly. The health and function of those cells are put at risk by unstable molecules called free radicals.
Free radicals are natural byproducts of certain biological processes and certain environmental stressors can increase their production in the body. These unstable molecules cause damage to cells and DNA. When they accumulate, it can lead to oxidative stress—a phenomenon that exacerbates cellular damage and may contribute to disease and accelerated aging.
Fortunately, your cat’s body has some natural defenses in place. It produces molecules that help stabilize free radicals and support cellular repair. Certain nutrients found in food perform a similar role. Because they fight oxidative stress, these biological defenders are called antioxidants.
Examples of antioxidants include the following:
Vitamins – Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K
Amino Acids – Taurine, Methionine, Cysteine, Lysine, Arginine
Carotenoids – Lutein, Lycopene, Astaxanthin, Beta-Carotene
Flavonoids – Flavonols, Flavones, Isoflavones, Anthocyanins
Trace Minerals – Copper, Selenium, Zinc
It’s important to remember that the term ‘antioxidant’ refers to a substance’s ability to neutralize free radicals—not to the substance itself.
Antioxidants are intended to work together and alongside other nutrients, so increasing your cat’s intake of a single antioxidant may not provide any significant disease-preventing benefits. That said, some studies suggest it may be possible to increase circulating levels of antioxidants through dietary supplementation.
Let’s talk about antioxidants for cats and how to effectively supplement your cat’s intake.
Antioxidants in Cat Food
Most commercial cat food products are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cats as established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These requirements include minimum requirements for macronutrients like protein and fat, but also for certain micronutrients—many of which exhibit antioxidant activity. Macronutrients are required in large quantities in the diet and provide energy in the form of calories while micronutrients (like vitamins and trace minerals) are required in much smaller amounts.
For example, AAFCO nutrient profiles state minimum requirements for essential amino acids and trace minerals like copper and selenium, as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Some cat food manufacturers go above and beyond minimum requirements, adding supplemental antioxidants to their formulations. These products are often marketed as therapeutic recipes for immune support. You’ll find examples in product lines like Iams Advanced Health, Purina Pro Plan, and Hill’s Science Diet.
Outside of their purported disease-preventing benefits, antioxidants can also play a practical role in cat food.
Some antioxidants are used as natural preservatives to increase the shelf life of dry cat food products. Vitamins E and C are the most common. Vitamin C may be listed on a pet food label as ascorbic acid while vitamin E is more likely to appear as tocopherol (or included in mixed tocopherols). These antioxidants help prevent or delay the oxidation or breakdown of fats and oils in the food.
9 Antioxidant-Rich Foods for Cats
When shopping for cat food, taking a few minutes to read the label is the best way to weed out poor-quality products that contain questionable ingredients. As long as the product carries an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy, you can rest assured that it will meet your cat’s minimum requirements for key nutrients.
But what if you want to take an extra step toward protecting your cat’s long-term health and wellness? Talk to your vet about supplementing your cat’s diet with antioxidant-rich foods. Here are some examples.
1. Fish
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Both freshwater and saltwater fish tend to be high in antioxidant amino acids like taurine, arginine, lysine, and tryptophan. Fish that are particularly high in taurine include yellowfin tuna, tilapia, carp, catfish, cod, and salmon.
Also Read: Taurine Deficiency in Cats: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Not only is fish an excellent source of protein, but some varieties are rich in other antioxidant nutrients. For example, halibut, herring, salmon, and mackerel contain significant amounts of vitamin E—salmon is also a good source of selenium. Ocean white fish like cod and haddock are also rich in selenium.
Also Read: The 8 Best Salmon Cat Food Formulas
Keep in mind that feeding your cat fish comes with some risk for mercury poisoning, so it’s best to offer it only in small amounts with your veterinarian’s approval. If you do offer your cat fish, make sure it’s fully cooked with the bones removed.
2. Shellfish
Like fish, shellfish contains numerous antioxidant nutrients. Shrimp, for example, is rich in copper, zinc, selenium, and vitamins E and A. It’s also a good source of the carotenoid astaxanthin, which helps support cognitive, muscular, skeletal, nervous system, and immune system health.
Krill are also rich in antioxidants and are often offered as an alternative to fish because it’s much less likely to be contaminated with heavy metals and toxins. These shellfish contain lots of astaxanthin and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Hint: Freeze-dried krill makes a great antioxidant-rich treat for cats. The freeze-drying process preserves the nutritional value of the krill that might otherwise be lost to heat.
3. Lean Meat
While fish tend to contain the highest amounts of antioxidant nutrients, other animal products still have something to offer. Meat like pork, lamb, and beef are rich in selenium—particularly grass-fed varieties. Grass-fed beef also contains high levels of glutathione, an antioxidant naturally produced in the body from precursors like the neurotransmitter glutamate and the amino acids cysteine and glycine.
Pork loin is particularly rich in carnosine, a dipeptide—two amino acids joined by a peptide bond—synthesized in the body from the amino acids alanine and l-histidine. Lamb also contains a significant amount of carnosine as well as taurine, zinc, and selenium.
When offering your cat meat, it’s best to choose lean varieties. Cook the meat thoroughly with no seasoning and as little oil as possible.
4. Poultry and Eggs
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Like meat, poultry and eggs are rich in antioxidant amino acids and the precursors needed to boost natural glutathione production in your cat’s body. Chicken and turkey are particularly good choices for cats because they are lean and packed with biologically valuable protein. They’re both rich in selenium, carnosine, and anserine—another antioxidant dipeptide.
Eggs contain significant amounts of numerous antioxidants including selenium, carotenoids, vitamin E, and vitamin A. The two primary carotenoids found in eggs are lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important for eye health.
Hint: To maximize the antioxidant benefit of poultry and eggs for your cat, consider choosing organic, free-range varieties. Though scientific evidence is limited, some studies show higher content of certain antioxidants (like beta-carotene) in pasture-raised eggs.
5. Seaweed
Though seaweed may sound like an odd thing to feed your cat, it’s packed with antioxidant nutrients like flavonoids, carotenoids, trace minerals, and vitamins A, C, and E. It’s worth noting that many cat food manufacturers use seaweed derivatives like agar agar and carrageenan as stabilizing and thickening agents. These ingredients may also contribute prebiotic fiber, essential vitamins, and trace minerals.
If you want to add seaweed to your cat’s diet, stick to products that are specifically formulated for cats to reduce the risk of contamination with heavy metals or toxins. The simplest option may be a kelp powder supplement you can add to your cat’s food.
6. Pumpkin
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Often utilized as a source of supplemental fiber for cats, pumpkin is also rich in antioxidants. In addition to vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium, pumpkin contains multiple carotenoids including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. These carotenoids act as precursors to vitamin A, which promotes strong immunity, good vision, and healthy skin.
Hint: To incorporate pumpkin into your cat’s diet, try stirring a teaspoon or two of plain pumpkin puree into their food. You can also find cat treats and supplements made with pumpkin.
7. Sweet Potato
Like pumpkin, sweet potato is rich in beta-carotene—it’s the pigment that gives orange plants their color. Sweet potatoes also contain plenty of vitamins A and C. In addition to the immune-boosting benefits of antioxidants, sweet potatoes can help fight inflammation and promote gut health. The anthocyanins in sweet potatoes may also support heart health.
To make sweet potato safe for cats (and to increase the absorption of antioxidant nutrients), cook it thoroughly. The simplest way is to steam or boil chunks of peeled sweet potato, then mash it and add it to your cat’s food.
8. Fresh Berries
Fresh berries like blueberries and strawberries are some of the richest food sources of antioxidants. Unfortunately, most cats don’t care for them. If you want to try offering your cat berries, make sure they’re thoroughly cleaned. Feed very small amounts at first to see how your cat’s stomach handles such high-fiber foods.
As an alternative to offering your cat fresh berries, look for them as an ingredient in cat-specific products. Antioxidant-rich berries are sometimes included as ingredients in commercial cat food, treats, and dietary supplements.
9. Leafy Greens
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Like berries, leafy greens are packed with nutrients that are healthy for your cat—including antioxidants. Again, however, many cats don’t care for veggies and certain nutrients are less biologically valuable for your cat when they’re sourced from plants instead of animals.
The leafy greens highest in antioxidants are spinach and kale. Spinach is a strong source of lutein while kale contains significant amounts of beta-carotene, flavonoids, and vitamin C. Any greens you offer your cat should be thoroughly washed and gently cooked, without seasonings. As with fresh fruits, vegetables should be fed in small amounts to avoid stomach upset.
Do Cats Need Antioxidant Supplements?
If you’re hesitant to offer your cat non-commercial food—or if you’ve got a picky eater who’s hesitant to accept fresh foods—there may be another option: antioxidant supplements. Like other supplements for cats, they come in capsules, powders, liquids, and soft chews so you can choose the form and concentration that best suits your cat’s needs.
While some cats may benefit from antioxidant supplements, they’re generally not required. There may also be some risk involved.
Any supplement comes with a risk of adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. With antioxidant supplements in particular, however, dosage is a key concern. Excesses of certain nutrients (like fat-soluble vitamins) can cause toxicity because your cat’s body has a limited ability to eliminate what it doesn’t need.
Talk to your veterinarian before giving your cat any supplements. Your vet can help you determine whether your cat might benefit from antioxidant supplements and, if so, what formulation or dosage is likely to be safe and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are antioxidants good for cats?
Yes. Antioxidants are naturally-occurring molecules and nutrients that help minimize cellular damage and support your cat’s immune system. Foods rich in antioxidants are sometimes described as superfoods for cats.
What are antioxidants in cat food?
Any commercial cat food that meets AAFCO guidelines will meet your cat’s minimum requirements for certain antioxidants like selenium, zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Certain antioxidants also serve as preservatives in cat food, helping slow the oxidation of fats to preserve the product’s freshness and nutritional value.
What are the best natural antioxidants for cats?
The best natural food sources of antioxidants for cats are carnivore-appropriate options like fish, shellfish, lean meat, poultry, and eggs. Cats may also be able to tolerate small amounts of antioxidant-rich plant foods like sweet potato, pumpkin, fresh berries, and leafy greens.
What’s the recommended amount of antioxidants for cats?
Recommendations vary depending on the specific antioxidant and may be influenced by your cat’s age, weight, or health status. It’s best to consult your veterinarian if you’re concerned about your cat’s antioxidant intake.
