Is cat fish oil safe? How much and how often should I give it?

Question

Hi there! I would like to start giving my kitty omega 3 fish oil. I've read different things on here like if over supplemented it can cause health problems and that it needs to be given with the right amount of omega 6's ? I also read that it can cause loose stools . Is any of this true ? Also, would she benefit from getting it a couple of times a week or does it need to be given daily ? Thanks so much . Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 9 years and 1 month old | 9 lbs

Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH · Accepted Answer

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.

Is cat fish oil safe? How much and how often should I give it?

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