Manganese Sulfate

Manganese is needed for bone and cartilage development and helps some antioxidant enzymes in the body do their work.

Manganese sulfate is a manganese salt that FDA lists in 21 CFR 582.80, its GRAS list of trace minerals added to animal feeds. Manganese is a trace mineral cats need in small amounts, and complete cat foods add a measured amount. If your cat has liver disease or another medical condition, ask your veterinarian before giving any mineral supplement.

Source: ecfr.gov

Manganese sulfate is added to supply manganese, a trace mineral used by enzymes involved in bone and cartilage formation and in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Meat is fairly low in manganese, so many recipes add it to reach the target for cats.

Manganese sulfate is an inorganic mineral salt. Manganese proteinate is manganese bound to protein fragments, a chelated form. Both supply manganese. FDA lists manganese sulfate in 21 CFR 582.80, and Pettings scores the chelated form on its own page. Many labels list both forms.

Source: ecfr.gov

No. Manganese and magnesium are different minerals with similar names. Magnesium is needed in larger amounts and is part of bone and muscle function. Manganese is a trace mineral needed in very small amounts. Cat food labels list them separately, so it pays to read the spelling closely.

Pettings gives manganese sulfate 3 out of 5 and lists it as a mineral. It appears on 81 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. Our How We Score page explains how ingredient scores are set. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.