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Cat Food Ingredient

Vitamin A

Our ingredient score: 4 / 5 · Vitamin · How We Score

Vitamin A is needed for a cat's vision, especially for seeing in the dark; it also supports skin, coat, immune and reproductive health. People can convert the beta-carotene in vegetables such as carrots into vitamin A, but cats cannot. That is why cats must get vitamin A in its ready-made form, from animal sources or from a supplement added to the food. The amount in commercial foods is set to match a cat's needs. On the label it appears as "vitamin A acetate" or "vitamin A supplement."

Vitamin A also appears on labels as Vitamin a Acetate, Vitamin a Supplement.

Common Questions

What is vitamin A acetate in cat food?

Vitamin A acetate is one of the names vitamin A takes on cat food labels, along with vitamin A supplement. The amount in commercial foods is set to match a cat's needs.

Is vitamin A safe for cats?

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that cats must get in its preformed state. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats cannot convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, so they need it already formed in the diet. Merck also notes that excess vitamin A is seen more often in cats, for example in growing kittens fed a diet high in liver. Ask your veterinarian about vitamin A for a cat with a medical condition.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Why is vitamin A added to cat food?

Vitamin A is added because cats need preformed vitamin A and cannot make it from plant pigments. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that cats lack the intestinal enzyme that converts beta-carotene. Liver contains a lot of vitamin A, but manufacturers add a measured amount so each batch meets the nutrient target for cats.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Can cats get vitamin A from carrots?

No, not in a useful way. Carrots contain beta-carotene, and the Merck Veterinary Manual says cats cannot convert beta-carotene to vitamin A because they lack the needed intestinal enzyme. Cats rely on preformed vitamin A from animal tissue or from the vitamin A added to complete cat foods.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Can cats get too much vitamin A?

Yes. Vitamin A is stored in the liver, and the Merck Veterinary Manual says excess vitamin A is more commonly seen in cats than in dogs, especially in growing kittens fed diets high in liver. Commercial complete foods are formulated within set limits. Giving extra liver or cod liver oil on top of a complete food is something to discuss with your veterinarian.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

How does Pettings score vitamin A?

Pettings gives vitamin A 4 out of 5 and lists it as a vitamin. It appears on 145 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. Cats need preformed vitamin A, and almost every dry food we track adds it. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.

How Foods With Vitamin A Compare

Vitamin A is on the label of 145 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. Nearly every food we list has it, so there is little to compare.

Foods With Vitamin A (145)