Vitamin A Deficiency in Cats
Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for cats, which means it must be part of their diet in order for your cat to maintain optimal health. Skin, coat, muscles and nerves all require vitamin A for proper function. If a cat does not get enough Vitamin A in their diet, you will first notice that their skin and coat do not look healthy or they may suffer from night blindness. Muscles will deteriorate and your cat will feel weak. Vitamin A is especially important for pregnant females and kittens because growing kittens require it for growth, muscle and neurological development.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends that adult cat food provide 9000 IU of Vitamin A per kilogram of food. The most common sources of Vitamin A are liver, fish liver oil and egg yolks. Be careful to not give too much Vitamin A because it is a fat-soluble vitamin that can lead to toxicity if you over dose. Providing your cat with a healthy multi-vitamin is a great way to ensure that your cat is receiving all of the vitamins they need in appropriately balanced levels.
Studies
Vitamin A deficiency and alterations in the extracellular matrix.
Effect of maternal vitamin A supplementation on retinol concentration in colostrum.
