Hello, I’m Alex Shin, a pharmacist at Greycoat Research.

Many cat parents choose powder supplements because they are easy to give. You simply scoop the powder from a large container and sprinkle it over food or a treat.

It seems convenient.

But there is one risk that many cat parents may not realize.

The full container may contain the intended amount of every ingredient, but each scoop may not contain those ingredients in the same ratio.

Lighter ingredients may rise. Heavier ingredients may sink.

At first, the powder may look evenly mixed.

But as the container is moved and shaken over time, the ingredients may begin to separate. Lighter ingredients may move toward the top, while heavier ingredients may settle toward the bottom.

This is called ingredient separation.

Each scoop may contain a different mix

Imagine taking a scoop from the top after separation has occurred.

Your cat may receive more of the lighter ingredients and less of the heavier ones.

Scoops taken near the top may contain more of one ingredient, while scoops taken near the bottom may contain more of another.

The formula may be balanced across the full container, but the ingredient ratio may vary from scoop to scoop.

Think about mixing salt and sugar
Imagine a powder containing both salt and sugar. For the same volume, salt is generally heavier than sugar. As the container is moved during storage and delivery, the heavier salt may settle toward the bottom, while the lighter sugar may collect near the top.

What happens if you scoop only from the top?

You may get more sugar and less salt.

A similar issue may occur in a powder supplement containing several nutritional ingredients. One scoop may contain much more of one ingredient and much less of another.

Separation may happen before you open the product

A supplement goes through packaging, transportation, warehouse storage, and delivery before it reaches your home.

During this process, the container is repeatedly moved and shaken. The ingredients may already have separated when you first open the product, even if the powder still looks evenly mixed.

If you use a powder supplement, mix it thoroughly

If your supplement comes in a large container with several mixed ingredients, mix the entire contents thoroughly before each serving.

A quick shake may not be enough. Powder settled at the bottom also needs to be fully mixed back in.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions if a specific mixing method is provided.

Each serving should contain an even mix of ingredients—not just powder from the top of the container.

Not all powder supplements are the same

A single-ingredient powder is different from a product containing several ingredients.

Products packaged as individual daily servings may be less affected by separation than products sold in large, multi-serving containers.

Extra care may be needed with large, multi-ingredient containers that are used one scoop at a time for many weeks or months.

Why Greycoat Research uses capsules

At Greycoat Research, we consider more than convenience when designing a supplement.

We also consider whether a cat can receive the intended amount and ratio of ingredients each day.

That is why our main multi-ingredient supplements are portioned into individual capsules.

During manufacturing, the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, and each capsule is filled with a measured serving. Cat parents do not need to scoop powder from different parts of a large container.

One of the main reasons we use capsules is to provide a more consistent daily serving, both in amount and ingredient ratio.

You can open the capsules and mix the powder with food

Some cats do not like swallowing capsules.

The capsules used for our main supplements can be opened, and the powder inside can be mixed with food or a treat.

Each capsule contains one measured serving with the intended ratio of ingredients. Opening the capsule does not change the balance within that serving.

We also consider palatability when formulating the powder. The formula is carefully designed to minimize strong bitter or sour tastes that cats may reject.

Open the capsule and mix the powder thoroughly with a small amount of food or a treat. Make sure your cat finishes the entire serving.

This gives you the consistency of a pre-measured capsule with the convenience of mixing powder into food.

Consistency matters with daily supplements

Supplements may be given every day for months or even years.

That is why convenience is not the only consideration. Providing a consistent amount and ratio of ingredients each day is just as important.

If you currently use a powder supplement, mix the entire contents of the container thoroughly before each serving.

A small change in your feeding routine may help provide more consistent nutritional support for your cat.

We are here to support your cat’s long-term health—and give you greater peace of mind.

Thank you,
Alex Shin
Pharmacist
Greycoat Research

[Educational Disclaimer]

This content is provided for general educational and informational purposes only.
It is not intended as a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Please consult your veterinarian regarding your cat’s health and before making any changes to your cat’s diet, supplements, or care routine.