Feline Fish Oil | Safety, Uses, Benefits

The use of healthy oils with omega 3s for cats can support your feline friend's overall wellness. 

Many people have grown up taking Omega-3 fatty acids and are familiar with the fishy odor and taste. We probably have childhood memories of our parents helping us get over the distinct fishy smell and getting us to understand that fish oil supplements help promote healthy skin and joint health.

Fish oil supplements not only help improve human well-being but are also used to support healthy bodily functions in cats, dogs, and other animals.

Every pet parent wants the best for their feline companion, and promoting good health is always a priority. It's not uncommon for us to scour the internet researching the ailments troubling our pets.

Fish oil could be a good solution, so let's explore everything that pet owners like you should know.

What is Feline Fish Oil Used for?

Fish oil is added to a cat's diet to support its overall health. Fish oil has many benefits in cats including promoting healthy skin, supporting healthy hearts, maintaining kidney & gastrointestinal wellness, and promoting proper brain functioning, among other things.

Fish oil supports your cat's health. The type and quantity of fish oil given to a pet will depend on the veterinarian's recommendation after a proper evaluation. To understand what fish oils are and how to add them to cat food to help promote cat health benefits, read on.

How do Fish Oil Supplements Benefit Cats?

Fish oil supports various body functions in our feline friends. However, you should consult with your veterinarian before giving cats new supplements. Your vet will assess the pet's health concerns and determine the right treatment plan.

1. Healthy Skin & Support for Skin Allergies

Swelling and itching are typical signs of an underlying condition, and both are associated with discomfort and restlessness. Cats with skin problems can have dry flaky skin, swollen red skin, or patches where their fur has fallen off.

Omega-3s may promote a luscious fur coat, moisturize to reduce dryness and support a healthy inflammatory response, potentially making your cat's skin more comfortable and less itchy.

2. Support for Joint Health

Painful joints can make moving hard and painful for cats. Cats tend to be shy to walk on a hurt heel, may lose their appetite, and even avoid playing altogether.

EPA and DHA in fish supplements promote the development of healthy bones and joints, which helps promote the overall well-being of a cat.

3. Kidney Health

Kidneys help manage blood pressure, support waste removal from the blood, produce hormones and stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.

If your cat is having kidney trouble, you may notice signs of weight loss, increased water uptake, or vomiting. When you suspect things are not okay always go to the Vet for professional care. EPA and DHA support proper toxin removal from the blood and may help maintain normal blood pressure.

4. Support for Heart Health

Your cat's heart's key function is to pump blood to other body organs and help circulate oxygen collected from the lungs.

The heart also supports the supply of nutrients, chemicals, and hormones to other body organs for proper body function. Fish oils are believed to play a role in supporting normal heart rate, normal heart pressure, and balanced immune function.

5. Gastrointestinal Health

Swelling of the Gastrointestinal Tract (GI) may make it hard for food to be properly digested and absorbed, causing tummy aches and diarrhea. If your feline friend is experiencing belly pain, you will notice their reluctance to eat, vomiting, possible weight loss, and diarrhea.

EPA and DHA in fish oils may help maintain a proper balance of cytokines proteins which is believed to in turn support a balanced response in the body, which may contribute to gastrointestinal comfort.

Does Fish Oil Help Cats with Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

The relationship between omega 3s and inflammatory bowel disease is a matter of ongoing research. While there's research to show a possible benefit, more studies are warranted for a definite answer.

6. Omega Fatty Acids Promote Feline Brain Health

Cats are known to be quite smart.

They accurately remember tricks, pick up on social cues, remember their names, identify different voices, and even remember training prompts.

The brain is responsible for these functions. The cat's brain has 3 main parts; the brainstem is responsible for basic life operations, the cerebrum for decision-making, and the cerebellum for motion control. If the brain function is affected by disease or accident, the quality of life is considerably affected, meaning treatment would be aimed at restoring normal function.

Fish oil may be a great holistic option to add to your cat's vet-prescribed medications. Studies reveal that fish oil supplement supports proper blood flow to the brain, promotes normal brain growth in kittens, and helps maintain overall brain functioning.

7. Promote Proper Body Weight

When a cat weighs more than 10-20% of its ideal body weight, it is overweight. Physical signs revealing your cat is overweight are:

1. difficulty feeling their ribs,

2. the disappearance of a visible waistline,

3. messy hair coat,

4. strenuous walking.

Excess weight tends to impact their heart, proper hormone production, and blood sugar making it one of the biggest risk factors for a range of health challenges.

Fish oil may support maintaining a healthy weight in cats as part of a balanced diet. Cat foods containing EPA and DHA could help maintain ideal body fat, heart health, and overall well-being.

What Is Fish Oil?

Fish oil is a natural supplement packed with omega-3 fatty acids and is made mostly from oily tissues of cold-water fish. Cats cannot naturally produce omega-3 essential oils so they rely on food sources to get these nutrients.

Fatty Coldwater fish are species that ecologically inhabit waters or depths with lower temperatures. Coldwater fish have a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, making them the best source of fish oil. Fatty fish species thriving in cold waters include;

• Salmon

• Trout

• Tuna

• Mackerel

• Mussels

• Oysters

• Wild Alaskan Salmon

Fish oil has two main types of omega-3 fatty acids; docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Omega 3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that consist of long chains of carbon atoms with a carboxyl group at one end of the chain and a methyl group at the other. The PUFAs have two or more double bonds located between carbons in the fatty acid chain. Omega-3 fatty acids contain a carbon-carbon double bond found in three carbons from the methyl end of the chain.

DHA is an essential nutrient for developing kittens and puppies while EPA is needed throughout the lifespan of a growing dog or cat. EPA helps promote cell membrane development and they have properties that may help with swelling. DHA supports brain development and joint growth.

A Note on Finding Cat Supplements

EPA and DHA in fish oil are dietary supplements that add nutritional value to cat food. Dietary supplements contain minerals, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, herbs or other botanicals, and many ingredients. Supplements support your cat's health and boost their immune system.

You can always purchase the supplements over the counter, but consult your veterinarian before getting your cat started on anything new. You need a veterinarian's expertise to determine underlying health concerns and formulate the best regimen to help your cat. They will also advise on the best fish oil, since not all of the options available to you may be good for your cat.

Supplements, including fish oil, come in many common forms like capsules, tablets, gummies, powders, liquids, oil treats, and energy bars. Fish oil commonly comes in liquid, capsule, and pill forms. Always ask your veterinarian before giving your cat any form of fish oil.

FDA regulations on supplements are not too strict. Supplements do not require FDA approval before they are sold. Any claim made by a manufacturer concerning the safety, quality, effectiveness, and ingredients in the supplement could be misleading. You need your Vet to guide you before choosing a supplement for your cat.

What Are The Possible Side Effects?

Fish oil is typically safe for use unless consumed in high doses. Too much of anything can be harmful.

These side effects include:

• Altered platelet function which results in platelets not forming a strong blood clot. Platelets form blood clots that act as plugs to stop excessive bleeding when a person is hurt. Taking too much fish oil may contribute to excessive bleeding.

• Delayed wound healing may also result from fish oil consumption. Fish oil is commonly associated with supporting the body’s normal inflammatory response. Studies are showing that the process of wound healing is dependent on sufficient inflammatory responses which fish oil numb. This is just one stage among the 4 stages of healing.

• Ingesting too much fish oil could irritate the GI tract causing a tummy ache, vomiting, or diarrhea.

• Excessive Omega-3 consumption could also lead to altered immune function affecting how the body tackles diseases.

• Fishy odor in the breath and skin can also result from excessive consumption of fish oil.

Possible Drug Interactions

Fish oil supplements may interact with certain medications. Consult your vet before use.

Some of the drugs to watch out for include;

Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are used to treat blood clots in veins and arteries. Their use can increase the risk of excessive bleeding. Fish oil also has similar properties, therefore, it is important to talk to your Vet before combining anti-coagulants with fish oil supplements.

Antiplatelet drugs and herbs
Antiplatelet drugs are used to stop platelets from coming together and forming clots. It is risky when clots form in arteries and veins because they can block proper blood flow. Herbs have a similar effect; they are anticoagulants. It is not advisable to combine antiplatelets and herbs with fish oil. Consult your veterinarian first before using salmon oil or any fish oil in combination with other medications..

Blood Pressure drugs
Blood Pressure (BP) drugs control high BP to lower optimal levels. Using them with fish oil supplements can reduce BP levels further.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs offer relief from occasional discomforting pain. FDA has approved meloxicam and robenacoxib NSAIDs for short-term use to relieve discomfort. There is a possibility of NSAIDs interacting with fish oil cat supplement, therefore talk to your Veterinarian first.

Fish Oil Dosing For Cats

Your Vet is best placed to advise you on the best amount of cat supplement to use. Your vet will examine your cat, determine the most suitable regimen for the issue at hand, and determine the correct daily dose to use.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends that a diet for cat reproduction and growth should have 0.012% EPA and DHA or 3 mg/100 kcal.

How to Administer Fish Oil

Administer the cat supplement directly in the mouth. They are available in various forms like pills, capsules, or liquid. Mix the cat supplement with wet food to make it more palatable for your cat.

Pay careful attention to the first time your cat is having fish oil. If you notice they are reacting, go to the Vet for a professional opinion. Keep in mind that it is not advisable to give the fish oil supplement on an empty stomach.

Which Fish Oil Should You Buy?

Fish oil supplements fall under a category of dietary supplements not regulated by the FDA. This means that not all of them are of good quality and efficiency. Manufacturers are also not required to disclose the ingredients they use.

However, there is a standard that you can work with. The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) is an independent non-profit organization that assures the quality of animal supplements. They promote quality products for dogs, cats, and horses. Check if fish oil is NASC verified.

Can I use Omega-3s From Plants?

You can not use plant-based omega-3s for your cats. Plants contain contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) fatty acids which in humans are broken down to EPA and DHA easily. Cats and dogs on the other hand are ineffective at converting ALA to EPA and DHA. Fish oil is best for cats.

Conclusion

Fish oil has numerous health benefits for our feline friends. This omega 3 supplement used in moderation may help to promote joint, heart and brain health. If you need support for your cat's wellbeing, adding feline fish oil to your cat's diet could be a good start.

As cat owners remember to consult your Vet before you give your cat supplements with omega 3s. Fish oil administered in high dosage has serious implications for your cat. Your Vet will let you know about the proper dosage, but please consult the vet if your cat reacts.

References

1. Learn More About Omega-3 and Kidney Health

2. Learn About the Impact of Excess Weight on Cats

3. Learn about Fish Oil-Cell division link

4. Learn more about how fish oil could contribute to excessive bleeding

5. Learn more about wound healing 

6. Learn more about fish oil and the GI tract

7. Learn more about antiplatelet drugs

8. Learn about anti-coagulant herbs

9. Learn about controlling blood pressure

10. Learn about NSAIDs