Hypervitaminosis A in cats from liver-heavy diets causes progressive skeletal changes including vertebral fusion, with chronic pain and mobility impairment that develops insidiously before diagnosis.
Hypervitaminosis A is a preventable welfare tragedy caused by uninformed dietary management. Cats fed liver-heavy homemade diets or raw diets with disproportionate liver content develop progressive, irreversible skeletal damage over months to years before clinical signs become obvious. By the time neck rigidity and pain are apparent, substantial bone changes have already occurred. The pain of vertebral exostoses and fusion is chronic, and while dietary correction prevents further damage, the existing bony changes persist for the cat's lifetime. Welfare-centered feline nutrition education prevents this entirely preventable condition through clear guidance on safe liver inclusion limits in homemade and commercial diets.