Is it safe to apply omega-3 oil directly to my cat's allergic skin?

You can find omega-3 fatty acids as a liquid sold in a bottle with a pump at some clinics and some pet stores. This may be easier for you to administer to your cat daily rather than having to squeeze the oil out of the capsule itself.

Giving a small amount twice daily is good for the skin and joints. I feed a cat supplement and follow the label instructions. It reduces inflammation and helps with arthritis. As long as you limit the amount I’ve not seen pancreatitis from omega3 supplementation. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Kitty.

Over supplementation of fish oil can certainly cause diarrhea. And some animals are sensitive to it even in small doses, so I always recommend starting with a low dose then working up. For cats, I would recommend a liquid pump in order to make that process easier. We have found that even though we are not exactly sure of the "correct" ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids that since Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and Omega 6 fatty acids tend to be pro-inflammatory, that we prefer that ratio to be higher than we used to think. Omega 3 fatty acids work over time, so while daily supplementation is ideal, a few times a week is certainly better than nothing. So, I normally recommend a cat specific liquid in a pump and start with 1/2 the recommended dose for a few days to make sure there isn't any soft stool, then increase to the recommended dose daily (if possible). I hope that was helpful and answered your questions. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello. Honestly, I recommend either Nordic Naturals or Bayer Free Form Snip Tips. Both of these are highly recommended by veterinary dermatologists, too. You will need to call other veterinarians to see who carries Cytopoint. It is an excellent product & most of my clients love the convenience of only needing a simple injection once ever 6-8 weeks to control their pet's allergies. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. You should chose Omega-3 product made by a reputable manufacturer. I can recommend Omega-3 Tri-V by Henry Schein, Triglyceride Omega by Vetoquinol or Omega-3 by Bayer

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It depends on which pill you are giving. I would recommend that you check with her veterinarian who knows her medical history well before giving any medications. I agree with you that this is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

I recommend giving a fatty acid skin supplement orally to help keep her skin healthy and coat shiny. Fish oil orally will work also. I do not use anything on the skin itself usually unless it's very dry and flaky, then I use a moisturizing grooming spray after a bath with a hypo allergenic shampoo. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Roxy.