Fish Oil for Cats | Supplement Your Feline Won't Fight You On

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Fish oil is a common supplement for people, and there are also many benefits of giving cats fish oil. Unlike other supplements or pills, it is usually pretty easy to administer to a feline. Unless you have a kitty who doesn’t like fish, which is highly unlikely, you won’t have to fight with them or try to trick them into taking this cat supplement.

Is Fish Oil Good for Cats

Felines can reap many benefits from fish oil. It’s amazing how much this supplement can help with a lot of everyday issues and improve your cat’s overall well-being.

Supplements contain the omega-3 fatty acids EPA, also known as eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA which is docosahexaenoic acid. These fatty acids come from sardines, mackerel, salmon, herring, black cod, albacore tuna, and anchovies.

Benefits of Omega 3 for Cats:

Acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps with many conditions such as arthritis, heart, kidney, skin
Promotes healthy coat and helps decrease shedding which can equate to fewer hairballs
Good for pregnant or nursing pets because it’s important in the eye and brain development
Reduces dandruff and itchy skin and may reduce hot spots
Possibly slows the spread of cancer

Dosage for Cats & How to Give It

Cats are not usually very cooperative in taking pills. The good news here is you can simply puncture the the fish oil supplement capsule and drizzle the oil on their cat food.

You may want to select a seafood flavored cat food rather than beef or some other kind which may not be as enticing. Of course, cats may not care, but thinking like a human that is what my preference would be.

As far as how much to give you cat each day, generally that is based upon their weight. You should read the directions on the bottle. The main takeaway here is that the heavier your cat, the more fish oil supplement they would get each day. Consulting your vet before giving fish oil to cats is another option to ensure you are providing the correct amount to your pet.

Side Effects

For the most part, there are no terrible side effects, but there are a few things you should be cognizant of and take note of before giving your cat fish oil.

Diarrhea

Pets with a history of gastrointestinal issues may need to be slowly introduced to it. What this means is you may need to administer smaller doses and work up to the recommended amount.

Slows Blood Clotting

Some cats may be more susceptible to this symptom. Be sure to check with your vet especially if you have an outdoor cat who tends to get into fights with other animals. Also, if your cat is on any blood thinning meds, you definitely want to have a discussion with your veterinarian before starting on fish oil.

Current Medication Compatibility

In addition to blood thinning medications, you will also want to discuss whether fish oil is a good idea if your cat is taking any anti-inflammatory drugs. Since fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory, you want to be sure it’s okay to add this to any other pills you’re giving you cat for this reason.

Fish Breath

Your cat may start to develop fishy breath. If that happens, and it’s intolerable for you, then you can just lower the dosage amount. Your cat won’t care if they have fish breath, but if they snuggle up or sleep with you, it may bother you.

Where to Buy Fish Oil for Cats

I prefer to purchase from reputable and well known online sites catering to cats and pets. Below are some of the best selling fish oils on Chewy.