Cat Hypervitaminosis A from Raw Liver Diets

Cats fed excessive raw liver develop hypervitaminosis A causing painful skeletal deformities, making it a preventable welfare problem from inappropriate raw feeding practices.

Key Facts

Cats fed predominantly raw liver develop cervical spondylosis and vertebral exostoses from vitamin A toxicity
Signs include rigid neck posture, reluctance to move, and progressive paralysis
Liver contains extremely high vitamin A concentrations, far exceeding feline daily requirements
Skeletal lesions visible on radiographs can be extensive and irreversible by the time of diagnosis
Transition to a complete and balanced diet halts progression but cannot reverse established bone changes

Welfare Considerations

Cats with hypervitaminosis A experience chronic neck and spine pain from bony growths that restrict movement and compress nerves. The stiff, hunched posture and reluctance to move that owners often mistake for normal aging actually represent significant musculoskeletal suffering. Because the condition develops gradually over months to years of inappropriate feeding, owners often do not connect the diet with the disease. Prevention is straightforward - never feed liver as more than 5-10% of the diet. Established lesions leave affected cats with permanent mobility impairment even after diet correction.

What You Can Do

Never feed cats a diet based primarily or predominantly on raw liver
If feeding raw or home-cooked diets, use recipes formulated by veterinary nutritionists
Seek radiographic evaluation for any cat showing neck stiffness or reluctance to raise its head
Consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist before feeding home-prepared diets long-term
Transition affected cats to nutritionally complete balanced diets immediately upon diagnosis