Potassium Iodide (Iodine)

Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormones, and the thyroid regulates the cat's metabolic rate and energy use.

Potassium iodide is a mineral salt used to add iodine to food. FDA lists it in 21 CFR 582.80, its GRAS list of trace minerals added to animal feeds. Cats need iodine for thyroid hormones. If your cat has hyperthyroidism or is on an iodine-restricted diet, follow your veterinarian's advice on food choice.

Source: ecfr.gov

Potassium iodide is an iodine source in cat food. Cornell Feline Health Center notes that iodine is required for the production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Potassium iodide is one of several iodine sources; calcium iodate is more common in dry foods.

Source: vet.cornell.edu

Researchers are still studying it. Cornell Feline Health Center says the cause of feline hyperthyroidism is not known, and lists dietary deficiencies or excesses of certain compounds as possible factors. A study of US cat foods found wide variation in iodine content and suggested that swings in intake may contribute.

Source: vet.cornell.edu

No. Iodized salt is table salt with a small amount of an iodine compound, often potassium iodide, added. In cat food, potassium iodide is added on its own as an iodine source, measured separately from any salt in the recipe.

Pettings gives potassium iodide 3 out of 5 and lists it as a mineral. It appears on 15 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.