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Cat Food Ingredient

Vitamin E

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

Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant that protects the body's cells from damage. It protects cell membranes, the immune system, the skin and the muscles. It is needed even more in foods that contain fish or fish oil, because omega-3 fats raise the cat's need for vitamin E. Keeping the food's fats from going rancid, however, is mainly done by mixed tocopherols rather than the supplement form on the label. On the label it appears as "vitamin E supplement" or "dl-alpha tocopherol acetate."

Vitamin E also appears on labels as Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate, Vitamin E Supplement.

Common Questions

What is dl-alpha tocopherol acetate in cat food?

It is the form of vitamin E listed on many cat food labels. You may also see it written as "vitamin E supplement."

Is vitamin E safe for cats?

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that works as an antioxidant in cell membranes. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports that vitamin E deficiency has occurred in cats given large quantities of canned tuna, leading to pansteatitis, also called yellow fat disease. Complete cat foods add vitamin E to meet nutrient targets. A cat with a medical condition should get supplement advice from its veterinarian.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Why is vitamin E added to cat food?

Vitamin E is added as a nutrient for the cat and as protection for the fats in the food. Polyunsaturated fats from fish oil and other sources raise a cat's need for vitamin E, so manufacturers add enough to match the fat content of the recipe.

Can a tuna diet cause vitamin E deficiency in cats?

Yes, it has happened. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that vitamin E deficiency has occurred in cats fed large quantities of canned tuna. Tuna is high in polyunsaturated fats, which use up vitamin E. The resulting condition, known as steatitis or yellow fat disease, is uncommon in cats eating a complete and balanced food.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Is vitamin E the same as mixed tocopherols?

They are related but not identical on a label. Vitamin E supplement, often dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, is added mainly as a nutrient for the cat. Mixed tocopherols are natural forms of vitamin E added mainly to preserve the fat in the food. A food may list both.

How does Pettings score vitamin E?

Pettings gives vitamin E 4 out of 5 and lists it as a vitamin. It appears on 148 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. It is in almost every dry food we track. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.

How Foods With Vitamin E Compare

Vitamin E is on the label of 148 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. Nearly every food we list has it, so there is little to compare.

Foods With Vitamin E (148)