
Perhaps you take omega-3 supplements yourself, and you’ve heard that it can also be good for your cat. While there has been plenty of research done on the effects on humans, feline treatment is more of an emerging science.
There are even some companies out there producing and promoting cat and dog supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids. If you do choose to give your cat omega-3, to help to go with these sort of supplements because then you’ll have to worry if you’re giving them too much.
However, you also don’t need to give the cats anything that is required, and there’s some debate as to whether or not omega-3 has any effect in cats. In these economic times, you don’t need to spend money on something that doesn’t work and isn’t needed. So which is the right choice that provides the greatest benefit for your feline friend?
Can I Give My Cat Omega-3? Answer: It’s Up to You.
There hasn’t been many reported side effects from giving your cat omega-3 or fish oils, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s completely safe. Since long-term studies have not been concluded it’s really a personal choice whether you want to give this to your cat.
Some owners that have decided to give their cats omega-3 have said that it makes their coat shinier, and is led to less shedding around the house. Other claims are that it helps with cats that suffer from things like arthritis, so this could be good for older cats and their mobility. But these claims are rather subjective, because the cats can’t necessarily speak for themselves and say that it’s working. It’s purely an observational matter, and can be heavily affected by the owner’s bias.
Us humans like the quick fix, which is why supplements even exist. The because of the smaller size of your pet sometimes a quick fix can be dangerous. The reduction in scale of the cat compared to human means that their body processes things more quickly, and they have a faster metabolism, especially active cats. By introducing supplements into their body you are disrupting millions of years of evolution.
There are some owners out there that advocate a purely natural diet for dogs and cats. Their recommendation would be to avoid giving your cat any sort of supplementation and stick to whole foods, raw foods, and things that a cat is normally known to eat when left in the wild to fend for itself. Their philosophy is that all of these man-made pet foods are loaded with fillers that your carnivorous cat just doesn’t need.
Naturally Found in Fish
The reason it makes sense that omega-3 is good for cats is that they’re natural fish eaters, and omega-3 is found in many types of fish. So given the question of whether a dog, a cat, a human would need omega-3 in their diet it just seems logical that this would be more essential for cats. If they were still out in the wild they would be getting regular amounts of omega-3, so just because they’ve been domesticated rather recently doesn’t mean they don’t still need it.
Proper Cat Diet
If you want to give your cat omega-3 you should do so through the food you give them and not with a supplement. This way they can process it more easily and you don’t have to worry about getting the dosage wrong or about any potential side effects. A small piece of salmon or tuna on added to their regular food on a weekly basis will provide them with all of the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids they need to produce the positive effects like a shiny coat with less shedding.
Health Benefits for Humans
Many doctors say that getting proper amounts of Omega 3 helps keep inflammation at bay, and can prevent conditions and diseases that are caused by it. Some evidence even suggests that it can be effective in preventing cancer and heart disease. Even though there are plenty of potential health benefits, there are still some risks associated with taking omega-3. The research that has been done in regards to cats is far less than what has been done for humans, so it’s still somewhat of a gray area.
I gave my 16 year old cat 1/2 of a human Omega capsule from Metagenics. I think he had a reaction to it but not sure. I would say don’t do it, just stick to adding some good Salmon to their food.