Companion Animals

Companion Cat Hypervitaminosis A Welfare

Vitamin A toxicity from excessive dietary liver causes painful skeletal deformities in cats fed inappropriately high liver diets.

Key Facts

Cats fed liver as a major dietary component over time develop hypervitaminosis A
Abnormal new bone formation causes stiffness, neck pain, and reduced mobility
Early cases respond to dietary change but established skeletal changes are irreversible
Raw liver fed as a high proportion of diet is the most common cause in pet cats

Welfare Considerations

Hypervitaminosis A causes progressive, painful joint fusion and skeletal deformities that severely compromise quality of life. Prevention through appropriate diet is essential. The condition is entirely avoidable and represents a preventable welfare failure in affected cats.

What You Can Do

Feed liver as a treat only, never more than 5-10% of total diet
Use complete balanced commercial diets as the dietary foundation for cats
Consult a veterinary nutritionist if feeding raw or home-prepared diets