Starting in the 70s, approximately, information on the benefits of omega 3 began to be provided. Over the last few years a large number of nutritionists echo its advantages and disadvantages, encouraging the population to include it in their diet and that of their pets. Of course, rigorous care must be taken to avoid such disadvantages as much as possible.
That said, omega 3 for cats can be very beneficial, but why? What is omega 3 for in cats and what foods rich in it are good for these animals? In this article we clear up all the related doubts and explain how to give omega 3 to a cat.
What is omega 3?
Omega 3 fatty acids are a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that bring various benefits, but because mammals cannot produce them, they must obtain them from the sources that nature provides (tissues of some fish and shellfish and vegetables such as oil from canola, soybeans, flaxseeds, walnuts, etc.).
There are different types of omega 3:
- Hexadecatrienic acid(HTA).
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): it is associated with benefits in the cardiovascular system of mammals.
- Stearidonic Acid (SDA): Synthesized from ALA, it is known to be found in blackcurrant, hemp, and echium seed oils.
- Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA): it has been found in some species of mussel and it has been described that it can inhibit cyclooxygenase, which makes it a mild anti-inflammatory.
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): in human medicine it is famous for being efficient against some types of hyperlipidemia.
- Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA).
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): it has been popularized that consumption in humans could reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer’s, although it is a hypothesis that is still under study.
- Tetracosapentaenoic acid.
- Tetracosahexaenoic acid (nisinic acid): found in cod, Japanese sardine and shark liver oil.
Benefits of omega 3 for cats
As mentioned in the previous section, there are many types of omega 3s and, as they have different chemical characteristics, they also have different effects individually. We can generalize the benefits of these fatty acids in our feline in the following way:
- They are very efficient anti-inflammatory: ETA is associated with the inhibition of cyclooxygenases (a protein that intervenes in the formation of those responsible for phlogosis), which is why it ends up inhibiting inflammation and helping with joint and / or muscle pain).
- They act as cognitive stimulants: some studies have described that omega 3 can bring important benefits at the brain level in dogs and cats, so it is encouraged to include it in the diet in the correct way.
- They have anti-stress properties: it has been popularized that the correct use of omega 3 could be associated with the production of chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine that, among other things, counteract stress in mammals.
- They have anti-cancer properties: it has been proven that in humans the use of omega 3 reduces the chances that a person may suffer from breast or colon cancer. In animals it is still being studied.
- They counteract excess fat: it has been found that EPA can counteract hyperglycemia, eliminating or reducing the excess of so-called “bad fats”.
- They act as cardiovascular protectors: this action is associated with ALA, which has been included in numerous studies where good results have accompanied it in its mission to improve the cardiovascular quality of mammals.
What is omega 3 for in cats?
After reviewing the benefits of omega 3 for cats, we can verify that these fatty acids serve the following purposes:
- They improve cardiovascular and joint health, so they are recommended in cases of degenerative diseases or related to the bone system, such as osteoarthritis.
- They favor the condition of the cat’s skin and hair, so it is recommended to include them in your diet and buy a cat shampoo that contains omega 3.
How to give omega 3 to a cat?
There are two ways to give omega 3 to a cat: through food or through supplements. In the first case, there is the possibility of acquiring a dry feed or canned food enriched with these fatty acids, of using salmon oil or of giving the animal foods rich in omega 3.
In the second case, which includes supplements, it will be the veterinarian who will prescribe the dose of omega 3 for cats and the frequency, since these are products with a higher concentration.
Foods rich in omega 3 for cats
It is no coincidence that for certain years, in all cartoons or children’s entertainment, the cat has been shown eating fish. Many marine species are a source of many types of omega 3, and as we could already mention in previous sections, they bring many benefits to the health of our feline. However, you always have to go to the veterinarian when including any type of nutrient in your diet so that we know exactly what we are doing and we can obtain benefits and not disadvantages.
The most famous species that by nature provide us with omega 3 and that we can give to our cat are:
- Blue fish: tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardine, etc.
- Seafood: prawns, ribs, mussels, etc.
- Green leafy vegetables: cucumber, lettuce, spinach, etc.
- Vegetable oils: flaxseed oil, olive oil, walnut oil, soybean oil, etc.
- Nuts: almonds.
Side effects of omega 3 in cats
Taking into consideration that we are mentioning substances that are still under study, we cannot rule out that these effects are associated with other chemical substances that have their sources. The adverse effects of these fatty acids usually appear when there is an excess of them in the diet, therefore, we must bear in mind that we cannot exaggerate with any substance due to the many benefits that have been discovered. The most characteristic symptoms that will be seen in a cat when it has ingested a product containing omega 3 in excess are:
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Halitosis (bad breath)
Every substance has its dose and when exceeding it causes unwanted effects. This dose must be adjusted to the species, race, sex, age, weight and many other factors inherent to the pet. You should consult your veterinarian if you want to include new substances in your diet, no matter how popular their benefits have become.
