A serval cat jumping.
Serval cats, scientifically known as Leptailurus serval, are wild cats native to Africa. They are touted as the easiest wild cat to tame, and are increasingly bred in captivity for use as pets. Unlike domestic house cats, serval cats have unique dietary needs.
Function
Wild serval cats eat their prey without leaving any waste--even the bones are eaten. This diet is hard to mimic in a captive setting. Supplements are used to make up for nutrients missing from captive diets.
Types
Calcium and phosphorous are integral to the growth and health of a serval cat. Probiotics aid in digestion and taurine helps regulate muscle and organ activity. Vitamins are given to replace those that the serval cat would have gained from eating whole prey.
Considerations
Serval cats who are being fed a whole prey diet consisting of uncooked mice, birds and small mammals do not need supplementation from outside sources. A whole prey diet contains all the nutrients needed for a serval cat's health.
Availability
There are several over the counter supplements available for serval cat consumption. These vary in nutrient content depending on what type of diet your cat is fed. Some serval cat owners have had great success with giving their cat the human vitamin Centrum.
Warning
Speak to a licensed veterinary care professional who specializes in exotic animals before starting your serval cat on supplements. A licensed veterinarian is in the best position to analyze your serval cat's health needs.
Tags: whole prey, prey diet, serval cats, Serval cats, serval health