The VUN Multivitamin for dogs and cats, which in our case is a cat, is by all accounts a comprehensive formulation of vitamins, minerals and botanicals and several fruit extracts rich in flavonoids providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Further antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits are provided by green tea and turmeric extracts.
As well as a full series of B-vitamins, including folic acid (B12), pantothenic acid (B5), the liquid formula also includes vitamins D3, A, and C. Cranberry extract is included to support urinary tract health, while the inclusion of blueberry fruit extract provides additional antioxidant support in order to combat oxidative stress. Additional inclusions with benefits for cats similar to those they provide humans are zinc, selenium, glucosamine and MSN. The liquid drops also include Taurine, an amino acid vital to a cat’s health. Bear in mind that the dosage supplied, 20 mg per mL of the liquid multivitamin, does not supply a cat’s full RDA, however taurine is supplied in most retail cat foods and/or can be supplemented. Unfortunately, animal supplements, unlike human supplements, do not include an ingredients percentage as a function of RDA; gosh, that would sure be useful, but probably not possible because pets can vary so much in size and weight.
One constituent included in the formulation that’s new and unfamiliar to me is “Coniferous Cherry Extract.” Besides the fact that I was only able to find very limited information about this botanical, to the best of my knowledge, cherry trees are deciduous, not coniferous. I was able to locate one manufacturer of coniferous cherry extract, the Sinochem-Nanjing company located in Nanjing, PRC. According to information I could glean from their site, the active compounds of the extract are anthocyanins and vitamin C. Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoid rich in antioxidants. The company goes on to say that coniferous cherry extract has uses in the beverage industry as a flavor enhancer, as well as an ingredient in pediatric and pet nutraceuticals. That said, whole cherry fruit is not recommended for cats because they contain cyanogenic glycosides, which convert to cyanide in the digestive tract and can lead to poisoning. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning in cats, specifically from cherries, include dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, bright red gums, panting, shock, and potential collapse. I’ll give the benefit of the doubt that the coniferous cherry extract included in the VUN Multivitamin does not include cyanogenic glycosides, but will watch for symptoms as I administer the liquid to my cat going forward.
The Multivitamin Liquid is dosed based on weight and includes a graduated pipette attached to the rubber squeeze top; most cats will fall withing the 10 – 20 lb. range requiring one full dropper per day. The liquid is flavored with hydrolyzed chicken liver and chicken flavor. Our cat likes the flavor, in fact I place it on his wet food as an incentive to eat, and he takes right to it. According to statements on the box, the ingredients are non-GMO and the supplement is manufactured in a GMP facility. The bottle arrives packed in foam inside a box, some of the most secure packing I’ve seen in a supplement.