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Antioxidants are good for your cat because they play a key role in minimizing damage to cells, including cells of the immune system.
These important, naturally occurring nutrients help maintain health by slowing the destructive oxidative process of cellular molecules. They also can be important in supporting immune responses and vaccine recognition in cats. This may be especially critical for kittens that are being vaccinated while their immune system is still developing.
Additionally, antioxidants can reverse decreases in immune-cell function for senior cats, increasing them back to healthy adult levels.
Antioxidants are nutrients found naturally in the body and in plants such as fruits and vegetables. Common antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E and certain compounds called carotenoids (including lutein and beta-carotene). A blend of several antioxidants in moderate amounts may be more effective than high levels of one antioxidant.
As cells function normally in the body, they produce damaged molecules called free radicals. These free radicals are highly unstable and steal components from other cellular molecules, such as fat, protein or DNA, thereby spreading the damage.
This damage continues in a chain reaction, and entire cells soon become damaged and die in a process called peroxidation. Peroxidation is useful because it helps the body destroy cells that have outlived their usefulness and kills germs and parasites. However, when left unchecked, peroxidation also destroys or damages healthy cells.
Antioxidants help prevent widespread cellular destruction by willingly donating components to stabilize free radicals. More importantly, antioxidants return to the surface of the cell to stabilize rather than damage other cellular components.
When there are not enough antioxidants to hold peroxidation in check, free radicals begin damaging healthy cells, which can lead to problems. For example, free radical damage to immune cells can lead to an increased risk of infection.
Because antioxidants play a key role in minimizing damage to cells, such as those that make up the immune system, recent research examined the benefits of certain antioxidants on the immune response of cats. The results of these studies indicated that antioxidants are important in helping cats maintain a healthy immune system.
The research also showed that each antioxidant benefits the immune system uniquely, so one antioxidant at high levels is not as effective as a group of antioxidants acting together.
| Antioxidant | Source | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin E | Plant oil extract, tocopherols | Optimizes immune system’s T-cell activation |
| Beta-carotene | Vitamin premix, corn meal, chicken by-product meal and chicken fat | Optimizes types of cells present in the blood, increases antibody levels in the blood and optimizes vaccine recognition |
Recent research also examined the effect of aging on immune responses. The findings indicate that as cats age, immune cell responses may decline. Including antioxidants in your cat’s diet can help reverse the age-related decrease in immune cell function, returning it to healthy adult levels.
As a kitten parent, you want the best for your feline friend. One of the most important aspects of pet care is providing your kitty with a healthy environment that supports overall development. In fact, kitten enriched environment stimulates a happy and healthy life. It refers to providing cats with activities, toys, and other items that stimulate them mentally and physically. Enrichment can also help prevent behavioral problems such as scratching, biting, and destructive habits.
Environmental enrichment: Providing cats with different environments to explore and interact with can also be enriching. For example, you can create a cosy space for your kitten to relax or provide them with a scratching post and other items that they can use to mark their territory. You can also provide hiding spots like a box or a tunnel for your kitten to explore. This not only provides them with a sense of security but also gives them something new to explore.
Sensory enrichment: Cats have a keen sense of smell, sight, and touch. Provide your kitten with toys and items they can smell, see, or touch. For example, you can use toys with different textures or provide your kitten with a catnip plant to interact with. You can also offer different types of food for your kitten, so it can explore different flavours and textures.
Social enrichment: Cats are social animals and thrive when they have companionship. If you only have one kitten, you can ensure companionship using a stuffed animal or a mirror. This will provide your kitty with the social stimulation it needs. If you have more than one cat, you can provide them with a kitten-friendly environment where they can interact with each other. This can include providing them with a shared space and interactive toys.
In addition to the above types of enrichment, you can also provide your kitten with various kitten enrichment activities to keep them engaged and stimulated. Some examples include:
Puzzle feeders: These interactive feeders require your kitten to figure out how to get the food out. They provide mental stimulation as well as physical exercise.
Window seats: Cats love to watch the world go by because it helps them explore something new and stay entertained every day.
Providing your cats with a kitten enriched environment is essential. It not only keeps them healthy and happy, but it also prevents behavioural problems. With your kitten training environment and other feline enrichment ideas, you can ensure that your cat is always engaged and happy. As a cat parent, it is important to take the necessary time to understand your kitten's needs and provide them with an environment that will help them thrive.
