Malunggay For Cats

Does Malunggay or Moringa boost our pets’ health, or is it all just hype? Moringa powder has recently become a popular pet food additive to a special cat food due to its supposed nutritional benefits. But you might be wondering, is the Moringa trend just a money-making scheme, or is it the real deal? Let’s find out!

What Is Moringa?

There are twelve species of Moringa, the most common of which is Moringa oleifera. Known locally as Malunggay, Moringa oleifera is a fast-growing tree that grows abundantly in the Philippines. Known as the “Miracle Tree,” it thrives in hot and dry tropical countries like ours. It even grows on poor soil and flowers within six months of planting!

Almost all parts of the Moringa plant are used for food and traditional medicine. The leaves are powdered to fortify food for humans and animals. Moringa oils are extracted from seeds and mixed with shampoo and soap products. Moringa roots in fresh, powdered, dried, or infused forms are used to treat various pains, such as stomach pains and fever. Moringa bark is also useful, with antimicrobial properties that effectively treat infectious diseases.

Why Moringa is Good for Pets?

Research overwhelmingly shows that Moringa has important health benefits. It’s not known as a Miracle Tree for nothing! With numerous health properties, Malunggay offers nutritional benefits for you and your furry friends. 

Moringa is Packed with Immune-Boosting Vitamins

Moringa is often tagged as a superfood and for good reason! You can get more vitamins from the common Malunggay than other vegetables and fruits on your grocery list. The International Journal of Food Science (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8373516/) mentions that Moringa: 

provides 7 times more vitamin C than oranges, 10 times more vitamin A than carrots, 17 times more calcium than milk, 9 times more protein than yogurt, 15 times more potassium than bananas, and 25 times more iron than spinach.

That’s a lot of vitamins in the humble Malunggay plant! Your pets need vitamins to grow and maintain good health. If they’re on a vet-approved diet, supplements may not be necessary. However, if they’re sick or aging, vitamins offer immune-boosting benefits. In fact, a study in Top Companion Animal Medicine shows that Vitamin C therapy shows promise in helping critically ill dogs and cats. 

Moringa is Rich in Disease-Fighting Flavonoids

Moringa is also rich in flavonoids, which reduces the risks of various age-related diseases. Animal studies show that quercetin and kaempferol, two flavonoids found in Moringa, protect against liver damage. ScienceDirect also says that flavonoids prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer. 

Cancer can affect many of our furry friends. Research from Molecules (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6270055/) shows that dogs over the age of 10 are commonly diagnosed with cancer. And our house cats aren’t marked safe either. Veterinary Sciences that feline cancer is also a significant cause of death in domestic cats. Moreover, Royal Veterinary College found that some purebred cats like Persians are prone to cancer. 

While there’s no effective drug against this disease, you can take some steps to lower the risk of pet cancer (plus other common health problems). Feed your pets a diet rich in flavonoids, which may inhibit cancer and strengthen their immune system. Adding a safe dosage of Moringa as a preventive means won't hurt.

Moringa is a Great Source of Minerals 

Moringa offers a lot of minerals, which are essential for your pets’ growth and development.  While it’s often overshadowed by the more expensive kale, Moringa is a better source of iron. This mineral sustains normal physiological functioning in animals. The International Journal of Food Science (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8373516/) also mentions that dried Moringa powder is rich in calcium, which helps your pooch maintain healthy bones and teeth. The mineral also helps their heart and nervous system function well. 

Certain health issues cause dogs and cats to need more calcium and iron. Low levels of calcium can put them at risk of hypocalcemia, which leads to muscle tremors, excessive drinking, seizures, agitation, and other unusual behavior. Pregnant and nursing cats also need calcium to help their kittens grow and produce milk. Meanwhile, iron is usually needed to treat iron deficiency anemia in cats and dogs. 

Remember always to seek your veterinarian’s advice on proper dosage and follow the label’s instructions. You don’t want your pets to overdose on iron or calcium!

Moringa is Affordable and Accessible

All pets inevitably get sick, but as loving furrparents, we do what we can to make our companions’ short lives comfortable and filled with love. However, it’s no secret that the vet bill is often as scary as a diagnosis of a deadly disease. It’s not unusual to pay thousands for one vet visit, but it’s always so hard on the wallet. One of the wonders of Moringa is that you won’t have to pay much to enjoy its benefits.

Moringa is not only affordable but also easy to purchase. Many pet shops carry Moringa powder on their virtual and physical shelves. You don’t have to search high and low for a rare cure. A few food brands like PurrDelight Tuna Cat Food from Mo & Bear also add a healthy helping of Moringa to their cat food. If you don’t have a Malunggay tree at home, you can simply get your pet’s Moringa supplement from these stores. 

Buy Quality Moringa For Your Pets

Moringa’s antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects have huge animal health benefits. You can buy costly vitamins for your pets. But Moringa is the cheaper, natural, and effective alternative. Of course, Moringa on its own won’t be able to replace a wholesome diet, excellent veterinary care, and a loving home. But it’s one of the things you can add to your pet’s food to give them more energy and improve their quality of life. 

There’s a reason why many Malunggay products populate pet stores. Yes, they’re highly sellable. But for good reason–they’re also effective. Many animal studies and research still have to be done to know the complete health benefits of Moringa. But for now, what we do know helps pet owners choose Moringa as one of their trusted pet supplements.

So don’t be surprised if you see a lot of moringa or malunggay pet food supplements online. If you value your pets’ health, start shopping for the best ones!