My cat sneezes and scratches. Will Omega-3 supplements help or hurt?

Omega fatty acids are naturally antiinflammatory and may well help but I would not recommend human dose capsules. Try to source a small animal preparation such as viacutan or a liquid oil supplement for cats. Many human preparations are supplemented with vit d which is at excessive levels for cats and dogs

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.

Some over the counter antihistamines may provide relief. These include Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or Chlorpheneramine. Antihistamines alone are usually not enough to provide real relief though. Ideally, you should contact your veterinarian to discuss the best treatment and dosing for OTC drugs. There are also prescription medications that can be dispensed after an exam. Fish oil supplements should be considered as a part of any treatment. They can promote healthy skin and coat and have some natural anti-inflammatory properties. Specific products are EicosaCaps, DermCaps or Welactin. Rule out other causes, if it hasn't been done already, such as fleas, skin infection or food sensitivities.

Unfortunately it’s impossible to say if Carol is sneezing due to allergies, a viral infection or something is stuck in her nostril. You can start her on a cat supplement called Lysine. Carol should take 500mg twice daily. This can help if it is viral. Keep a very close eye on her. Constant sneezing can be the first sign of an upcoming full blown respiratory tract infection. Watch for any nasal or ocular discharge. Watch for lethargy, squinting eyes or not eating well. If you end up needing to go in, there are two companies who may be able to provide financing: Care Credit and Scratch. You can find more information and an application on their websites. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

You can try adding an omega-3 fatty acid supplement for pets to the diet. This can help improve skin health and act as a natural anti-inflammatory. Cats can take some over-the-counter antihistamines but online veterinarians are prohibited from discussing human medication usage in pets. I recommend to call your regular veterinarian who will be able to give you a recommendation. If this doesn’t help within two weeks, or if Roy gets worse, have him examined by his veterinarian. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

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.

I would recommend talking to your vet about supplementing Lola with the amino acid lysine. I'm not sure of the exact virus your vet thinks she has, but if he suspects herpes virus, lysine can be very useful in helping to control the clinical signs of the disease, including sneezing and watery eyes. If Lola does have herpes (and many cats do) she will never completely be cured, but lysine can help her get over the symptoms faster.