Omega 3 (fish oil) for cats: benefits, dosage, instructions

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The cat's diet must contain a complex of nutritional supplements that provide the conditions for proper development. The market offers many different drugs. In order to correctly navigate their choice, we present to your attention a detailed review of complexes with the beneficial Omega-3 supplement (fish oil).

Omega-3 fatty acids

Fish oil contains:

mineral complex in the form of magnesium, bromine, iron, etc.
vitamin set A, E, D. It is important to understand that without vitamin D, proper absorption of calcium is impossible, and if it is lacking in the diet, animals develop problems with the musculoskeletal system and teeth;
complex of fatty acids, including Omega-3 and Omega-6;
antioxidants;
organic compounds of iodine, phosphorus, bromine.

The above elements that make up Omega 3 are required by your pet in small quantities, but their absence will certainly affect the development and behavior of the cat, since Omega-3 fatty acids help improve the quality of the animal’s skin, coat, and joints.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in cat diets

The ancestors of dogs and cats obtained Omega-3 from seeds and plants, fish and fat. Studies of PUFAs have shown that a large amount of essential acids (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic) are found in marine inhabitants - krill, fish, squid. Most manufacturers have begun to add fatty acids from marine raw materials, in the form of esters, to their products.

Additives such as Omega Neo contain ethyl esters that do not undergo oxidation and increase shelf life. Such compounds are absorbed faster and easier in the animal’s body, provoking the activation of metabolic processes. Excellent supplements to the diet of cats are the vitamins Canina Lachsöl for Cat and Dog with salmon oil, Canina Marine-Ölmischung Premium, containing a mixture of oils with fat from marine animals, as well as Canina Medizinal-Dorschlebertran for Cats and Dog, which are based on fish oil, obtained from cod liver.

Useful properties for cats

Below are nine main reasons why it is necessary to add dietary supplements containing Omega 3 fatty acids to your cat's diet from time to time.

Helps prevent inflammatory processes

Thanks to the content of ELA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in fish oil, inflammatory processes in the animal’s body are stopped, which prevents diseases in the kidneys and heart. Acids also prevent the development of arthritis and arthrosis, to which pets are exposed in the same way as their owners.

Improves wool quality

The quality of the coat indicates the health of the cat. If the animal is not bothered by anything, the coat will be thick and shiny. When a pet is sick with something, the fur becomes dull, sparse and lifeless. After taking nutritional supplements, you will notice how beautiful, thick and shiny your pet's coat has become.

Therefore, in addition to improving health, fish oil will “give” the cat a beautiful appearance that can be admired.

Relieves allergies and skin itching

If you notice signs of allergies in your animal, use fish oil as an aid to medications and the results will not keep you waiting.

Animals are often subject to the phenomenon of itchy skin, which is a consequence of an allergic reaction; Omega-3 fatty acids help to cope well with this problem.

Any veterinarian will tell you that the unique Omega-3 components in the form of ELA and DHA easily cope with itching caused by inflammation of the animal’s skin, which in addition to itching causes pain, discomfort, swelling and redness of the skin and joint parts.

Fights dandruff

A fish oil supplement will completely relieve your animal of the problem of dandruff, which is a consequence of inflammatory processes during the exfoliation of epidermal cells.

Nourishes the brain, promotes the growth of neural cells

Omega-3 contained in fish oil nourishes brain cells, thereby encouraging them to grow. To ensure the diverse development of the visual organs and the formation of neural connections in small kittens and puppies, supplements should be added to the pet's diet. Taking fish oil is also beneficial for pregnant or lactating cats.

Promotes heart muscle health

The constituent elements of fish oil prevent the occurrence and treat heart diseases associated with the development of atrial fibrillation and heart rhythm disturbances. The substance also works to thin the blood, which can stop the formation of clots leading to blood clots.

Cures arthritis

By reducing the production of prostaglandins, inflammatory processes in the cat’s body, including joints, are reduced. Joint pain is called arthrosis; taking supplements in the form of Omega-3 fatty acids will relieve your pet of the suffering associated with this disease.

Serves as a cancer prevention mechanism

Medical experts have long touted the benefits of Omega-3s in preventing the growth of cancer cells, which extends to animals. Therefore, you can prescribe supplements to your cat independently for the purpose of a preventative measure.

The effect of Omega-3 on the cat's body

The intake of Omega-3 into the body of cats is an extremely important process. PUFAs are involved in the formation of cell membranes in all internal organs and tissue structures. In addition, Omega-3 polyunsaturated acid helps to activate the processes of renewal of cellular structures, increasing their life expectancy.

It has been proven that even a slight deficiency of Omega-3 in the body provokes a disruption in the functions of cell walls, acting as a specific barrier. In this case, the animal’s body suffers, namely:

immune defense decreases;
increased sensitivity to stress;
there is a predisposition to various pathological processes in the body.

Multivitamin complexes, which contain Omega-3, are necessary for the formation of specific fat that covers the internal organs of animals and protects them from exposure to temperatures and mechanical damage.

The main function of Omega-3 for cats is participation in the processes of regulating the production of hormonal tissue substances. Prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes are produced in cellular structures and are responsible for the regulation of a large number of processes in tissues. Tissue hormones activate or suppress inflammatory processes in the body, are capable of constricting or dilating blood vessels, increasing or decreasing blood clotting factors and immune responses.

Signs of deficiency

You can suspect an Omega-3 deficiency if you observe the following symptoms in an animal:

the appearance of dandruff indicates dry skin caused by inflammation;
the coat ceases to shine and loses thickness;
claws break or disappear completely as a result of a lack of necessary “building” elements;
signs of anxiety, which manifest themselves in loss of sleep, methods of movement (for example, the cat begins to move at a fast trot, rather than the usual smooth step);
joint disease that requires immediate intervention.

But you can avoid bringing the animal to this state and prevent dangerous and insidious diseases by adding Omega-3 to the diet.

How to use

The dosage of the drug should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the pet (height, weight, breed) and the specific purpose of taking the drug. It is worth remembering that each new drug should be introduced gradually, carefully monitoring the animal’s reaction to it.

For preventive purposes, children are prescribed 0.5 ml per day. Remember that fish oil should not be administered earlier than 3 months. For adults, the daily norm is about 5 ml per day.

When treating any disease, the dosage is increased by 2-3 times. In any case, carefully read the instructions that come with the specific drug. The average course of treatment is 3-4 months.

Some animals independently consume capsules or a liquid solution mixed with food, but with more capricious pets it is necessary to resort to radical methods. To do this, the capsule is placed on the root of the cat's tongue, the pet's mouth is closed and the muzzle is tilted back a little. When the swallowing reflex is triggered, the animal will swallow the capsule.

The natural supplement can be used externally. It perfectly helps in the treatment of the skin, and more precisely with dermatitis, burns, eczema, frostbite.

Indications for use

Indications for taking Omega-3 by cats are the following:

prophylactic intake, replenishment of vitamin A;
accelerating the process of bone tissue restoration;
reduction of blood viscosity and regulation of platelet formation;
lowering cholesterol levels;
improvement of immunity;
vasodilator effect;
treatment of chronic inflammatory processes;
prevention of cancer;
relieving skin itching, inflammation;
use as an aid in the treatment of allergic reactions;
tonic.

Where to buy fish oil in Moscow and Russia

You can buy multivitamin supplements or a liquid preparation both in pet stores and veterinary pharmacies in Moscow, and on the Internet.

In the first case, you can trust the recommendations of a store consultant or a pharmacy pharmacist. In the second case, you need to rely on reviews from other buyers and your own common sense. In order to have freedom of choice and not be limited to just a couple of drugs, it makes sense to turn to a large online store with a large assortment.

For this, we recommend the trusted online store iHerb.com, which has fast delivery to Moscow - from 5 to 10 days.

Buy fish oil for cats at a discount

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Navigation:

Omega-3: benefits and harms
Omega 3, 6, 7 and 9 - what's the difference?
Which is better: Omega-3 or fish oil
Which Omega-3s are best to buy?
Omega-3 for women
Omega-3 for children
Omega-3 for pregnant women
Omega-3 for men
Omega-3 and men's health
Omega-3 for immunity
Omega-3 for weight loss
Omega-3 sports nutrition
Plant-Based Omega-3s for Vegans
Omega-3 for hair
Omega-3 for dogs
Omega-3 for cats
Omega-3 for eyes
Fish oil and Omega-3 for joints
Omega-3 to lower cholesterol
Fish oil and omega-3 for the brain
Omega-3 for oncology
Fish oil and Omega-3 for the heart
Fish oil and omega-3 for blood vessels
Fish oil for face
How to take Omega-3 for adults
Benefits of Omega-3 for the body
Krill oil
Section OMEGA-3 and fish oil in the iHerb.com catalog

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Best Omega-3 Supplements for Cats on iHerb

Below are descriptions of the best supplements from world-famous pet product manufacturers that contain Omega-3 fatty acids.

Charlie & Frank, Animal Omega-3 Fish Oil, Cats & Dogs, 100 ml

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This fish oil from the Norwegian company Charlie & Frank is produced from such varieties of fish as anchovies, sardines, and mackerel. Can be given to both cats and dogs.

The dosage is calculated based on the weight of the animal. For animals weighing up to 4.5 kg, the manufacturer recommends ¼ teaspoon or 1.25 ml per day. For heavy animals, ½ teaspoon or 2.5 ml per day is recommended. For ease of dosing, you can use a regular syringe from a pharmacy, having first removed the needle. Thus, a 100 ml bottle will last for quite a long time.

Fish oil can be added directly to your cat's wet food, mixing it thoroughly, or poured from a syringe directly into the cat's mouth if the animal reacts normally to it.

As customers note, thanks to thorough cleaning, the supplement does not have an unpleasant, repulsive fishy odor, so in most cases cats consume it with food with great pleasure.

If your pet has any chronic diseases or is planning surgery, be sure to consult your veterinarian before taking it.

Once opened, the bottle should be kept tightly closed in the refrigerator.

Now Foods, Now Pets, Omega-3 Dog/Cat, Great Fishy Flavor, 180 Softgels

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The complex is designed to help animals, maintain their health, improve the quality of fur and skin, and increase resistance to inflammatory processes in joints, kidneys and other organs.

The product is packaged in a large jar with darkened plastic, using a flip-top lid. On the jar and neck there is protection in the form of a membrane in the cavity of the lid. The label contains instructions for use.

The supplement contains the following components per capsule:

fish oil concentrate - 1000 mg;
alpha-linoleic acid (omega-6);
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) - 180 mg;
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) - 120 mg.
beef gelatin, vitamin E, glycerin and water as inactive auxiliary elements.

The supplement is presented in the form of transparent capsules with a thick shell. The capsules contain natural fish oil. The fat concentration is high, so if damaged, the capsule can leave marks on the surface of objects.

The supplement is intended for use by dogs and cats. Using the complex will provide your pet with the necessary omega-3 fatty acids, useful for maintaining healthy joints, good brain function and increasing immune resistance due to seasonal changes.

Barbara Royal, who is a doctor of veterinary medicine, recommends taking this supplement as support and prevention for various diseases.

The dosage of the additive is presented in the table:

Up to 18 kg	1 capsule per day
From 18.5 to 36 kg	2 capsules per day
More than 36.7 kg	3 capsules per day

Most cat owners have a problem: how to give a fairly large capsule to a cat? After all, while dogs usually have no problems with swallowing, cats often refuse to take fish oil in capsule form. There are several tricks:

if the animal refuses to take the entire capsule, then it can be pierced with a needle and fish oil squeezed directly into the food;
The capsule can also be dipped in a small amount of warm water, it will dissolve there, and then given to the cat to drink;
some owners make a small hole in the capsule and pump out the contents with a syringe, and then, after removing the needle, drop the contents directly into the cat’s mouth.

Nordic Naturals, Pet Omega-3, Cats & Small Dogs, 60 ml

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The composition of the supplement includes Omega-3 components obtained from wild anchovies and sardines, caught environmentally in the northern seas.

The distillation used to purify Nordic Naturals raw materials ensures the quality of the product and meets all international requirements. The release of the supplement is under the control of European Pharmacology and the World Health Organization.

Omega-3 in this supplement is in triglyceride form, this is very important, since it is this form of release that is best absorbed. By the way, it is also best for people to consume Omega-3 fatty acids in the triglyceride form.

Instructions for use:

0.9-1.8 kg	0.25 ml	39 ml EPA, 23 ml DHA
1.8-4.5 kg	0.5 ml	78 EPA, 46 DHA
4.6-6.3 kg	0.75 ml	117 EPA, 69 DHA
6.3-9 kg	1.0 ml	156 EPA, 92 DHA
Over 9 kg	1.25 ml	196 EPA, 115 DHA

Exceeding the portion is possible only after consultation with a veterinarian.

To maintain the quality of freshness of the product, do not use a pipette to lower it into the container.

Consultation with a veterinarian is also necessary in case of upcoming surgery.

Carefully! Keep the supplement out of the reach of children. After opening the bottle, it is important to close it tightly and place it in the refrigerator.

Zesty Paws, Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil, Skin & Coat Health, 473 ml

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One teaspoon (4.5 g) of the supplement contains:

Omega-3 fatty acids – 1100 mg;
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) – 390 mg;
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) – 480 mg.

The benefits of taking it are obvious:

the components of the supplement support the health of the heart muscle, articular cartilage, and increase the resistance of the immune response;
nourishes the skin and coat;
serve as a source of active fatty acids;
have an anti-inflammatory effect;
made from exclusively natural ingredients by a licensed US company;
production is controlled in accordance with international GMP standards;
Suitable for cats and dogs.

Featuring pure salmon oil enriched with Omega 3 and 6, this nutritional supplement provides nutrition for pets of all sizes.

The method of administration and dosage depend on the weight of the animal.

Weight	Quantity
Up to 11.3 kg	1\2 teaspoon
12.5 kg	1 teaspoon
11.3-33.9 kg	2 teaspoons
22.6-33.9 kg	3 teaspoons
33.9-45 kg	4 teaspoons
Over 45.2 kg	6 teaspoons

Attention! The supplement is intended for use exclusively by animals; store in the refrigerator, out of the reach of children.

Pet Naturals of Vermont, Furball, Cat, 30 Chewable Tablets, 45 g

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This is an excellent supplement with a wonderful composition, which is specially selected to ensure that the animal’s fur is thick, shiny and falls out less. And also in order to remove hair from the cat’s body, which gets inside at the moment when the animal washes itself. Each chewable tablet contains:

omega-3 fatty acids;
Psyllium (psyllium seed fiber) is essentially fiber that will improve the animal’s digestion, help get rid of hairballs and prevent constipation, and will also help prevent excess weight gain, which often affects sterilized pets. Psyllium also helps cope with pathogenic microflora that causes allergic reactions, which in turn negatively affects the condition of the coat;
cranberry extract, which is an excellent prevention of inflammation of the genitourinary system. It’s not for nothing that cranberry-based supplements are often prescribed to women prone to cystitis;
zinc – perfectly improves immunity;
Biotin is a B vitamin that is responsible for the thickness and beauty of the coat. By the way, many representatives of the fair sex additionally use biotin for the beauty of their skin, hair and nails.

The supplement has the aroma of natural chicken liver, so no cat will refuse this healthy treat. If problems still arise, the tablet can be crushed in a mortar or crushed in a mill and little by little added to the usual food.

To remove hair from a cat’s body, the manufacturer advises giving the cat 4 tablets twice a day for 2-4 days until a satisfactory cleansing result occurs. As a preventive measure, you can give 2 tablets once a day.

Dosage of the supplement for kittens and adult cats

Can cats have fish oil? Yes, but you need to follow the correct dosage. It is best selected by a veterinarian based on the animal’s age, weight, and purpose of use (for treatment or prevention).

For preventive purposes, experts advise giving kittens 0.5 ml per day. Fish oil can be added to food no earlier than the animal is three months old. For adult cats, the dose is higher, maybe up to 5 ml per day.

If we are talking about the treatment of certain diseases, then the amount of this additive increases several times (about three).

Adoption of sterilized animals

After sterilization and castration, animals experience a decrease in the production of hormones, a slowdown in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and the intensity of urinary functions decreases, so they require special attention to feeding methods, including feeding in the form of additives.

Often, sterilized and neutered cats should not be given fish, but fish contains large quantities of polyunsaturated fatty acids necessary for proper development. Here, veterinary omega 3 is an excellent solution. These supplements undergo special sedum, after which there is nothing left in them that could harm the animal!

However, the best option would be to consult a veterinarian, since each animal has individual diseases, which, together with sterilization, can give an unknown reaction to the introduction of additives, which can only be corrected by a specialist.

How to choose the right supplement for your pet?

When fish oil is needed for a cat, you need to remember some nuances when purchasing:

You should choose a highly purified additive. It would be a good idea for you to purchase oil from fish from the northern seas.
The fat must come from the fish carcass, not from the liver. Since it contains a lot of valuable vitamin A. Such a supplement will be even more useful.
It is advisable to purchase fat in capsule form. They are easier to add to food. In addition, when fat is in a bottle, it deteriorates quite quickly.
Choose fish oil without any additives (rosemary, lemon, etc.) that can cause allergies.

Overdose and its signs

An overdose is possible if the owners did not pay attention and the animal ate a portion of the supplement that exceeded the norm, because manufacturers often use natural ingredients to make the supplement very attractive to the pet.

An overdose also occurs if the owner incorrectly calculated the portion for the weight of the animal. Therefore, we advise you to carefully study the instructions before use!

Signs of overdose:

nausea;
vomit;
diarrhea;
allergic reactions;
itching

In this case, we advise you to stop giving the supplement to your pet; the signs of overdose should stop on their own. If this does not happen, we advise you to contact your veterinarian.

By-effect

Fish oil supplementation has been proven to be beneficial for cats. But there are contraindications. For example, an overdose will cause digestive upset in the animal, manifested by nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea.

The appearance of loose stools is possible even after taking medium doses, if the supplement was taken before meals. That is, you cannot feed your pet in a hungry state!

Long-term use of the supplement can lead to the appearance of dandruff and excessive oiliness of the coat, as well as a strong odor. In such conditions, you need to take a break from using the supplement.

Release form

The nutritional supplement can be found on the shelves of specialized stores in liquid form or in capsules. It is worth noting that the product should be intended specifically for cats. The drug has an oily yellow structure. The most convenient form of release is capsules. It is easier for a cat to swallow fat in this form. The drug can be administered intramuscularly to the animal, and it will begin to act as a biogenic stimulant. The liquid product is available in 500 ml bottles, and the container must be made of dark material. It is important that fish oil is not exposed to sunlight.

conclusions

To summarize, we can say that pets, like people, also need dietary supplements, which can be used to prevent many diseases, including the development of cancer cells.

To prevent many pet health problems, world-renowned veterinarians recommend the use of balanced, comprehensive supplements that have been tested in licensed US facilities. Supplements are the most effective way to help an animal find joy, health and a comfortable life with its owner.