Recent publications based on well-documented studies show that sodium benzoate (and other benzoate derivatives) is unsafe for cats. Benzoates are very hard for cats to metabolize because cats lack glucuronic conjugation capacity (benzyne moieties need to be conjugated by glucosides in order to be eliminated from urine and feces).
Because of this, benzoates have caused toxic build-up in cats, causing their deaths (see Davidson, G. “To Benzoate or not to Benzoate: Cats are the Question” in International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding. Vol 5 No 2 March/April 2001, 89-90). In the presence of Vit C, both potassium benzoate and sodium benzoate form benzene, a known carcinogen (FDA, 2006. "Data on Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages, " United States Food and Drug Administration. Accessed June 2nd at:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/benzdata.html)Just two examples of multi-vits that contain sodium benzoate:
NutriCal Puppy
Ingredients-Puppy Formula: Corn syrup, soybean oil, malt syrup, cod liver oil, cane molasses, methylcellulose, water, gelatin by-products, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E),
sodium benzoate (preservative), manganese sulfate, ferric ammonium citrate, thiamine HCI, niacin, calcium pantothenate (source of calcium and pantothenic acid), magnesium sulfate, pyridoxine HCI, potassium iodine (source of iodine and potassium), riboflavin 5' - phosphate soidium (source of vitamin B2 and phosphorus), vitamin A palmitate & D supplement, folic acid and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12).
Tomlyn Nutri-Stat (for catsand kittens)
Ingredients: Corn syrup, soybean oil, malt syrup, cod liver oil, cane molasses, methylcellulose, water, gelatin by-products, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E),
sodium benzoate (preservative), manganese sulfate, ferric ammonium citrate, thiamine HCI, niacin, calcium pantothenate (source of calcium and pantothenic acid), magnesium sulfate, pyridoxine HCI, vitamin A palmitate & D supplement, potassium iodide (source of iodide and potassium), riboflavin 5'' - phosphate soidium (source of vitamin B2 and phosphorus), folic acid and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12).
Some pet toothpastes and hairball remedies may also contain sodium benzoate; so, please always check the ingredient panel of any supplement for your pet.
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