Top 9 Potassium-Rich Foods for Cats: Expert Veterinary Recommendations

Potassium is a necessary mineral that helps hold the center, muscle groups, and neurological operate joyful and wholesome. With out potassium, a cat’s physique can be utterly out of whack.

Fortunately, potassium is considerable in a number of meals sources, even for an obligate carnivore. On this submit, we share 9 potassium-rich meals sources your cat will love.

How A lot Potassium Do Cats Want Day by day?

The common wholesome cat wants about 0.33 grams of potassium day by day. However since cats have totally different well being wants, this quantity can range.

As an illustration, cats with renal illness want extra potassium of their day by day allowance to assist regulate kidney operate and account for urine losses of the mineral.

Potassium in Industrial Pet Meals

Since potassium is a necessary mineral, business cat meals should include the minimal potassium ranges of their formulation. Some pet meals could have extra potassium of their recipes than others, relying on the ingredient listing.

cat paw dividerThe 9 Meals With Potassium You Can Feed Your Cat

Strive these 9 meals so as to add extra potassium to your cat’s eating regimen. Odds are your cat is sure to love one in all them.

1. Hen

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You possibly can’t go flawed with rooster. One cup of cooked rooster equals about 312 to 332 milligrams of potassium, nearly your cat’s day by day potassium consumption.

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2. Canned Tuna

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Canned tuna has about 153 milligrams of potassium, plus it’s simple to serve. If you happen to feed your cat tuna, supply the low-sodium or salt-free possibility.

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3. Salmon

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Cooked salmon gives about 332 milligrams of potassium in roughly a 3-ounce serving. You might additionally serve a dry meals salmon formulation if you happen to can’t afford recent salmon.

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4. Banana

Banana
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Not all cats like bananas, however people who do can get pleasure from just a few items of a complete banana. You wouldn’t wish to give your cat a complete banana since one incorporates about 422 milligrams of potassium. With a cat, this shouldn’t be an issue!

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5. Pumpkin

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A number of pet meals and treats include pumpkin as of late. You can too discover canned pumpkin cheaply within the baking aisle at your native grocery retailer. One cup of pumpkin incorporates about 394 milligrams of potassium, deeming it a high-potassium meals.

After all, your cat gained’t eat a complete cup of pumpkin, however cat meals and treats are a superb begin.

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6. Spinach

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Cooked spinach incorporates 466 milligrams of potassium on a 3.5-ounce foundation. Some cats like to munch on recent spinach, so it’s a win-win.

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7. Potatoes

cooked potatoes
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You shouldn’t feed your cat too many potatoes, however they’re excessive in potassium. A 3.5 ounce of potato incorporates 544 milligrams of potassium.

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8. Lamb

a rack of cooked lamb meat
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Lamb is a superb alternative for providing carnivorous cats further potassium. A 3-ounce serving incorporates about 260 milligrams of potassium, plus it’s scrumptious. Once you supply lamb, make sure the lamb isn’t seasoned with onion, garlic, or further seasonings.

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9. Prescription Meals

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Cats with continual kidney illness would profit from a prescription renal diet designed to assist their kidney operate. These diets are supplemented with potassium already, so that you wouldn’t wish to go overboard with different potassium-rich meals.

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What Causes Low Potassium in Cats?

Low potassium, or hypokalemia, is usually present in cats with chronic kidney disease. About 20% to 30% of cats with this challenge battle with low potassium ranges.

Malnourishment can even trigger low potassium ranges in cats, finally resulting in different well being issues if the cat’s vitamin doesn’t enhance.

Typical indicators of hypokalemia embody:

  • Weight reduction
  • Neurologic problems
  • Coronary heart arrhythmias
  • Extreme muscle weak point
  • Poor coat high quality
  • Problem standing and strolling
  • Despair
  • Constipation

Can My Cat Have Too A lot Potassium?

Cats can eat too many nutritional vitamins and minerals if cat homeowners aren’t cautious. One of the simplest ways to know in case your cat is getting the right vitamin is to work together with your veterinarian on a eating regimen that works in your cat.

Whether or not do-it-yourself or business, your veterinarian can present one of the best path together with your cat’s potassium degree.

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Conclusion

Low potassium, or Hypokalemia, is extra widespread in cats than we understand. All of it boils right down to proper diet and kidney well being. A pleasant snack right here and there utilizing the meals we listed above is a good place to start out. But when your cat is at a stage in life when it wants veterinary assist with potassium ranges, work together with your vet on one of the best motion plan.

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