Since liver is so packed with nutrients here is some important information (from Jane R. Bicks DVM and other sources) you need to be aware of before you start supplementing your cat's diet with liver treats.
Calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin A in a cat’s diet.
Without minerals, vitamins are virtually useless because they cannot be assimilated, and though cats can synthesize some vitamins in their bodies, they cannot manufacture a single mineral.
Calcium is the mineral that, along with phosphorus, is most required in a cat’s diet.
Calcium must exist in the cat’s diet with approximately equal quantities of phosphorus (a calcium/phosphorus ratio of 1:1) to function properly.
Calcium maintains strong teeth and bones and a healthy nervous system.
For effective absorption and utilization, vitamin D must be present.
Besides being vital for the formation of strong bones and teeth, calcium is also vitally important for the maintenance of healthy gums.
Calcium is needed for muscular growth and contraction, and for the prevention of muscle cramps.
Calcium is also essential in blood clotting and helps prevent cancer.
It regulates blood pressure (very important for older animals whose kidneys are less efficient).
Calcium provides energy and participates in the protein structuring of RNA and DNA.
It is also involved in the activation of several enzymes, including lipase, which breaks down fats for utilization by the body.
In addition, calcium maintains proper cell membrane permeability, aids in neuromuscular activity and helps to keep the skin healthy.
Calcium protects the body by inhibiting absorption of lead, which is a highly toxic metal.
Phosphorus is needed for bone and tooth formation, cell growth, contraction of the heart muscle and kidney function. It also assists the body in the utilization of vitamins and the conversion of food to energy.
A proper balance of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus should be maintained at all times. If one of these minerals is present either in excessive or insufficient amounts, this will have adverse effects on the body.
Excessive amounts of phosphorus in the diet lead to a calcium deficiency.
Deficiencies of phosphorus are rare and highly unlikely in view of widespread distribution in foods. Certain medical conditions can, however, induce low blood phosphate levels.
Recommended minimum daily allowances for cats:
Calcium: 200 to 400 mg for an average healthy cat.
Phosphorus: 150 to 400 mg for an average healthy cat.
To protect a cat’s kidneys, which are responsible for gathering and distributing needed nutrients and eliminating harmful substances from the blood, the diet should contain high-quality proteins. The poorer the quality of the protein, the more work the kidneys must do. Conversely, more quality protein means less work for the kidneys.
Feeding foods with an inverse calcium/phosphorus ratio should be avoided.
Meat has about fifteen times more phosphorus than calcium.
Some organ meats have thirty to fifty times as much. The imbalance can cause a cat serious harm.
Some startling numbers:
Beef liver (3.5 oz)
Calcium: 8 mg
Phosphorus: 476 mg
(59.5 times more phosphorus than calcium)
Calf liver (3.5 oz)
Calcium: 13 mg
Phosphorus: 537 mg
(41.3 times more phosphorus than calcium)
Chicken livers (3 medium)
Calcium: 16 mg
Phosphorus: 240 mg
(“only” 15 times more phosphorus than calcium)
Heart (3oz)
Calcium: 14 mg
Phosphorus: 203 mg
("only" 14.5 times more phosphorus than calcium)
Muscle meats:
Chicken (3.5 oz)
Calcium: 10 mg
Phosphorus: 220 mg
Beef (3 oz)
Calcium: 7-8 mg
Phosphorus: 105-150 mg
Turkey (3.5 oz)
Calcium: 23 mg
Phosphorus: 320 mg
Do not attempt to overload your cat with calcium. This can result in bone abnormalities, as well as decreased absorption of zinc, iron, iodine and phosphorus.
Vitamin A
Recommended minimum daily allowance for cats: 1,000 to 3,000 IU for an average healthy cat.
1 ounce of calf or beef liver can contain 9,140 to 15,250 IU vitamin A.
Three medium chicken livers contain a whopping 32,200 IU vitamin A.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is stored in the cat’s body in the liver and kidneys. Because of this, it doesn’t need daily replenishment and an oversupply (from too much liver for instance) will cause a toxic buildup, mainly in the liver. Such a toxic buildup will lead to serious health problems such as enlargement of the liver and/or spleen, gastrointestinal disturbances, abdominal pain, muscle degeneration, joint pain, reduced, painful, or crippling neck movement, abnormal walking, loss of appetite, dry itchy skin, hair loss, nausea and vomiting.
(In humans excessive amounts of vitamin A will also cause the most horrible headaches, usually a warning sign of long-term overdose.
People who eat polar bear liver die from the incredible amount of vitamin A in that liver.)
A couple of links:
http://www.fabcats.org/feeding.html
Key Nutritional Factors
Calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin A in a cat’s diet.
Without minerals, vitamins are virtually useless because they cannot be assimilated, and though cats can synthesize some vitamins in their bodies, they cannot manufacture a single mineral.
Calcium is the mineral that, along with phosphorus, is most required in a cat’s diet.
Calcium must exist in the cat’s diet with approximately equal quantities of phosphorus (a calcium/phosphorus ratio of 1:1) to function properly.
Calcium maintains strong teeth and bones and a healthy nervous system.
For effective absorption and utilization, vitamin D must be present.
Besides being vital for the formation of strong bones and teeth, calcium is also vitally important for the maintenance of healthy gums.
Calcium is needed for muscular growth and contraction, and for the prevention of muscle cramps.
Calcium is also essential in blood clotting and helps prevent cancer.
It regulates blood pressure (very important for older animals whose kidneys are less efficient).
Calcium provides energy and participates in the protein structuring of RNA and DNA.
It is also involved in the activation of several enzymes, including lipase, which breaks down fats for utilization by the body.
In addition, calcium maintains proper cell membrane permeability, aids in neuromuscular activity and helps to keep the skin healthy.
Calcium protects the body by inhibiting absorption of lead, which is a highly toxic metal.
Phosphorus is needed for bone and tooth formation, cell growth, contraction of the heart muscle and kidney function. It also assists the body in the utilization of vitamins and the conversion of food to energy.
A proper balance of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus should be maintained at all times. If one of these minerals is present either in excessive or insufficient amounts, this will have adverse effects on the body.
Excessive amounts of phosphorus in the diet lead to a calcium deficiency.
Deficiencies of phosphorus are rare and highly unlikely in view of widespread distribution in foods. Certain medical conditions can, however, induce low blood phosphate levels.
Recommended minimum daily allowances for cats:
Calcium: 200 to 400 mg for an average healthy cat.
Phosphorus: 150 to 400 mg for an average healthy cat.
To protect a cat’s kidneys, which are responsible for gathering and distributing needed nutrients and eliminating harmful substances from the blood, the diet should contain high-quality proteins. The poorer the quality of the protein, the more work the kidneys must do. Conversely, more quality protein means less work for the kidneys.
Feeding foods with an inverse calcium/phosphorus ratio should be avoided.
Meat has about fifteen times more phosphorus than calcium.
Some organ meats have thirty to fifty times as much. The imbalance can cause a cat serious harm.
Some startling numbers:
Beef liver (3.5 oz)
Calcium: 8 mg
Phosphorus: 476 mg
(59.5 times more phosphorus than calcium)
Calf liver (3.5 oz)
Calcium: 13 mg
Phosphorus: 537 mg
(41.3 times more phosphorus than calcium)
Chicken livers (3 medium)
Calcium: 16 mg
Phosphorus: 240 mg
(“only” 15 times more phosphorus than calcium)
Heart (3oz)
Calcium: 14 mg
Phosphorus: 203 mg
("only" 14.5 times more phosphorus than calcium)
Muscle meats:
Chicken (3.5 oz)
Calcium: 10 mg
Phosphorus: 220 mg
Beef (3 oz)
Calcium: 7-8 mg
Phosphorus: 105-150 mg
Turkey (3.5 oz)
Calcium: 23 mg
Phosphorus: 320 mg
Do not attempt to overload your cat with calcium. This can result in bone abnormalities, as well as decreased absorption of zinc, iron, iodine and phosphorus.
Vitamin A
Recommended minimum daily allowance for cats: 1,000 to 3,000 IU for an average healthy cat.
1 ounce of calf or beef liver can contain 9,140 to 15,250 IU vitamin A.
Three medium chicken livers contain a whopping 32,200 IU vitamin A.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is stored in the cat’s body in the liver and kidneys. Because of this, it doesn’t need daily replenishment and an oversupply (from too much liver for instance) will cause a toxic buildup, mainly in the liver. Such a toxic buildup will lead to serious health problems such as enlargement of the liver and/or spleen, gastrointestinal disturbances, abdominal pain, muscle degeneration, joint pain, reduced, painful, or crippling neck movement, abnormal walking, loss of appetite, dry itchy skin, hair loss, nausea and vomiting.
(In humans excessive amounts of vitamin A will also cause the most horrible headaches, usually a warning sign of long-term overdose.
People who eat polar bear liver die from the incredible amount of vitamin A in that liver.)
A couple of links:
http://www.fabcats.org/feeding.html
Key Nutritional Factors
