Are Human Vitamins Harmful to Cats If Ingested?
Humans take vitamins to supplement their diet and improve their health. Cats, like humans, need to consume vitamins as well; however, using a product intended for a human on a cat is never a good idea.
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Significance
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Cats' bodies process vitamins and nutrients differently than humans. Some nutrients are absorbed quicker, some slower.
Size
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A cat is significantly smaller than a human being. Because of this, the dosage of feline vitamins and supplements is considerably smaller than that of humans.
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Effects
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Overdose, or hypervitamintosis, can cause symptoms ranging from mild over-salivation and lethargy to more severe effects such as seizure, coma and death.
Expert Insight
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Vitamin poisoning can often be managed by a trip to an emergency veterinary medical facility. Activated charcoal, saline, and life support measures may be administered.
Prevention
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Keep all medications inaccessible to cats, preferably in a locked cabinet or cupboard. Make sure the lids are tightly screwed on. In the event of an emergency, take note of what and how many vitamins your cat ingested.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of D'Arcy Norman
