Introduction: What is Vitamin C? Why Do Cats Need it?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that helps the body develop and maintain healthy bones and teeth and keeps the immune system healthy. Cats cannot produce their own vitamin C, so they need to get it from their diet. They can’t absorb Vitamin C in the intestines, so it must be found in their food or given to them by injection.
Have you ever been curious about how does vitamin c help your cat? Read on and find today!
Vitamin C helps the body absorb calcium, keeping strong bones and teeth. It also helps prevent infections and may protect against certain types of cancer.
What are the Signs that Your Cat Needs More Vitamin C
The signs that your cat needs more vitamin C are usually quite self-explanatory. Cats are prone to getting scurvy, which is a disease caused by not having enough vitamin C. It’s a form of anemia that can be fatal if left untreated.
A cat with scurvy will have symptoms such as:
A swollen and sore mouth
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Swollen joints and muscles
Poor blood clotting leads to bruising and bleeding easily
Depression, lethargy, and weakness
Inflammation in the gums and mouth ulcers
Decreased production of saliva
When it comes to allergies, how effective is vitamin C?
The antioxidant Vitamin C, also referred to as ascorbic acid, appears to be helpful with allergies in some cases.
In addition to acting as an antihistamine, vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant. Research has shown that it may decrease swelling, inflammation, and other allergic reaction symptoms.
Symptoms of allergies are caused by an immune response to an invader causing your immune system to react.
In addition to pollen, pet dander, and food proteins, numerous other common allergens exist. Your immune system releases histamine from active mast cells to help you defend against invaders.
Symptoms of allergies caused by histamine include:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Red, watery eyes
- Itching
- Rash
- Asthma
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Swelling
- Anaphylaxis is an airway swelling that is rare but potentially life-threatening.
While antihistamines can block histamine and its effects on mild seasonal or environmental allergies, they may also have unwanted side effects.
Vitamin C reduces histamine production instead of blocking histamine receptors, as opposed to antihistamine medications. After consuming 2 grams of vitamin C, their histamine levels are estimated to decrease by 38%.
It may be more effective to receive vitamin C via an IV.
Researchers found that a 7.5 grams intravenous vitamin C infusion reduced blood histamine levels in 89 people with allergies or infectious diseases by about 50%.
Compared with people with infectious diseases, it was found that people with allergies benefitted from a lower histamine level.
People with skin or respiratory system allergies were also given intravenous (IV) infusions of vitamin C.
During the study, 97% of individuals with allergies reported fewer allergy symptoms like runny noses, sneezes, itching, restlessness, and sleep disturbances after receiving a 7.5-gram dose via IV. Seventy-one people reported side effects, but only one reported side effects.
Sixty people with allergy symptoms, including sneezing and a runny nose, also underwent a high-quality study to assess a vitamin C nasal spray. 74% of participants reported improvements.
Vitamin C affects allergies in a relatively limited number of studies. This needs to be studied in humans in more detail by scientists.
Can it help with allergies?
The effects of vitamin C appear to reduce upper respiratory symptoms associated with allergies or seasonal changes. Pet dander, pollen, and mold are all common allergens.
Allergic rhinitis, caused by histamine reactions in the nose or sinuses, causes runny nose, sneezing, congestion, and red, watery eyes. Furthermore, your lungs can react to allergens, triggering asthma attacks.
Antihistamine properties of vitamin C could help prevent allergic rhinitis and asthma since mast cells, which produce histamine, are highly concentrated in your respiratory tract.
Furthermore, some studies suggest that vitamin C’s antioxidant properties may protect the lungs from oxidative damage by protecting their cells.
The benefits of vitamin C are yet to be established.
The digestive tract, skin, eyes, throat, and respiratory tract are usually affected by food allergies as opposed to seasonal or environmental allergies.
An anaphylactic reaction caused by a food allergy can be deadly in some cases, even if an allergic individual is exposed to just a tiny amount of the allergen.
Food allergies can’t be prevented or treated with vitamin C. It’s essential to avoid the foods that make you sick if you have a food allergy. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms as well.
Dosage
2,000 mg of vitamin C is the dose of vitamin C most commonly prescribed to patients with allergic rhinitis.
Men and women should consume 90 mg and 75 mg of vitamin C per day, respectively.
It is unlikely that this vitamin will cause toxicity in your body since it is not stored in it. Due to this, supplementing higher doses is generally safe. Any excess is excreted in the urine.
It is important to know that some people may experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea if they consume vitamin C over 2,000 mg. Vitamin C can only be absorbed in a certain amount by your gastrointestinal tract. Overdosing on laxative agents may produce a laxative effect.
Because of these side effects, 2,000 mg per day is the recommended upper limit.
Starting slowly and increasing the dose gradually will help you determine whether the drug will have any side effects for you.
The medication can also be taken in smaller doses several times a day. Taking it in smaller doses may also improve absorption. Vitamin C supplements taken by mouth are only absorbed about half the way.
Some integrative and functional healthcare practitioners offer IV infusions of vitamin C.
This method delivers vitamin C directly to the bloodstream without going through the GI system. Healthcare professionals can inject very high doses of vitamin C without causing stomach problems.
Conclusion: Is it safe to give cats vitamin C
The answer to the question is not a straightforward one. Various factors determine whether it is safe or not. It is important to note that the dose of vitamin C that you give your cat will depend on their size, age, and health condition.
There are many benefits of giving your cat vitamin C, besides the fact that it can help prevent kidney stones in cats. The benefits often outweigh the risks of giving cats too much vitamin C, including diarrhea and vomiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of vitamin C is best for cats?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin essential for the growth and repair of tissues in the body. Cats need vitamin C to keep their immune system healthy, and they also need it to heal wounds and fight infections.
The best form of vitamin C for cats is ascorbic acid because it can be absorbed by their bodies better than any other form. Vitamin C tablets are also a great way to give them extra vitamin C because you can measure how much you are giving them, which is impossible with fresh produce or food supplements.
Can I give my cat vitamin C for a cold?
Yes, you can give your cat vitamin C for a cold. It is recommended that you do so. Cats cannot make their own vitamin C, so they need to get it from the food they eat or from supplements.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and many animal studies have shown that vitamin C can help protect pets against the common cold.
Should I give my cat vitamins every day?
Some cats eat a diet high in protein but low in carbohydrates. A cat’s diet may not be high enough in certain vitamins and minerals. This leaves them at risk of developing a vitamin deficiency.