Potassium Sulfate

It is used to adjust electrolyte balance and supplies potassium for muscle and nerve function.

Potassium sulfate is a mineral salt that supplies potassium and sulfur. Cats need potassium for muscle and nerve function, and the Merck Veterinary Manual notes that cats with potassium deficiency often show muscle weakness. Complete cat foods include potassium in measured amounts. For a cat with kidney disease, ask your veterinarian about potassium intake.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Potassium sulfate is a white, water-soluble salt made of potassium and sulfate. In cat food it is a potassium source. It is less common than potassium chloride and appears on only a few of the dry foods we track. It usually appears near the end of the ingredient list.

Both supply potassium. Potassium sulfate pairs it with sulfate, and potassium chloride pairs it with chloride. The choice affects how much chloride or sulfur the recipe carries, which can shift urine pH slightly. Pettings scores each on its own page.

Many cat foods add potassium so the finished product meets its nutrient target. Meat supplies potassium, but levels vary. AAFCO nutrient profiles set a minimum potassium level for cat foods, and formulators add a potassium salt when needed. Potassium chloride is the most common added source.

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