Very little amounts will lead to deficiency symptoms or hypophosphatemia while excess will result in hyperphosphatemia. Owing to these many functions, cat’s need phosphorus but it should be supplied in required amounts. It forms part of the genetic carrying material (DNA and RNA) as well as other major molecules including proteins needed for body growth, maintenance as well as in the repair of tissues and cells.It is required energy metabolism, i.e., it helps in making adenosine triphosphate (ATP).It is important in cell membrane formation i.e., as phosphoproteins and phospholipids and it also helps in cell signaling.It binds with calcium forming hydroxyapatite which forms part of bones and teeth structure.The inorganic form (salt of the phosphoric acid not bound to molecules that have carbon) is either diphosphate (H 2PO 4–) or monophosphate (HPO4 2-) and they reflect the amount of phosphate available for immediately to use by cells. However, the level will be higher in serum since, during clotting, the platelets release some. The plasma or serum inorganic phosphate accounts for about 1% of the total phosphate in a cat’s body, notes the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. In a cat’s body, it is found in the form of phosphate (oxidized state) with the bones having about 86% of the total amount and the remaining amount is found in the intracellular and extracellular compartments including in blood plasma as inorganic or organic phosphate (bound to any molecule that has carbon or a phosphate ester) form. However, this mineral is too reactive to be found in its elemental form.

As an element, it comes in a white and red form. Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral in a cat’s body and the second most abundant after calcium.

Ideal phosphorus levels in cat food