Can fish oil help my cat thrive? What's the proper dosage?

Hmmm. Not sure the train of thought your vet was on. I commonly recommend fish oils, any fish oil supplement will work. There is no specific amount, though the biggest side effect is greasy stools. If you notice that, then you decrease the dose. It can take several months for you to see a change after starting fish oils. You can find a pet product at a pet store, or just use one from the human supplements section of a pharmacy or other store.

Cod liver oil contains a large proportion of vitamins and minerals which can be difficult to adjust in small dosages. A blended omega fatty acid supplement formulated specifically for cats is preferred such as viacutan, omega aid or vitacat. Other options are specialist skin diets such as hills or royal canin which are additionally supplemented with natural antiinflammatory and coat conditioning ingredients

Pet formulated fish oil from your local pet store is perfectly fine and a reasoable treatment for a pet with mild flaky skin. If the skin persists however after aa few weeks, then a vet visit is recommended to look at other possible causes (i.e. skin allergies, mites, lice, etc). Also I would recommend feeding Mouse a high quality cat food such as Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Evo, or Eukanuba. Best wishes with Mouse and her dry skin, along with feeding this to your two other cats.. Take care.

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.

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.

No studies have been done comparing the different potential sources to the best of my knowledge,. Rather the research has been approached as looking at fish oil as a whole. I suspect the salmon or cod are the best sources since they are more similar to mammals which generally means they are broken down easier. There are a few things to know and consider before starting this type of supplement. Heavy metals and other toxins, as well as contaminates, are not uncommon so I recommend to speak with your veterinarian about a recommendation that is not only purified but also verified to be free of contaminants. Here are some helpful links: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/fish-oil https://www.petcoach.co/article/omega-fatty-acids-sources-effects-therapeutic-uses-in-cats/ Dosage varies based upon the product and instructions will be on the package (it will be based on weight). Your veterinarian can help you to determine an appropriate dose. Best of luck.

Hello. Yes, it is absolutely OK to give Skye an appropriate dose of salmon oil, but make sure she likes the taste. Not all cats like any kind of fish product. If she will not eat this, either as a treat, or mixed into her food, do not worry. As long as she is eating a balanced cat food, she really does not need a fish-based supplement. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.