Key facts at a glance
- Salmon oil contains the two essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
- Omega-3 fats are required for numerous processes in the body and have a variety of positive effects on health.
- In the right dose, salmon oil is a useful dietary supplement for cats.
- Outdoor cats should be given slightly less salmon oil due to their higher risk of injury and blood-thinning effect.
- Whether salmon oil is beneficial as an ingredient in cat food depends on the quantity and quality of the oil.
What are the benefits of salmon oil for cats?
Salmon oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These are essential fats that your cat cannot produce itself and that are needed for numerous processes in the body.
The omega-3 fats EPA and DHA support the functionality of the kidneys and liver, among other things. In addition, they are required for the structure of cell membranes and can have a positive effect on nerve cells, the brain, the immune system and the hormonal balance of the cat.
In addition, the omega-3 fatty acids contained in salmon oil can help prevent joint diseases such as arthrosis thanks to their anti-inflammatory effect, and their blood-thinning effect helps to relieve the heart and blood vessels. In addition, a dietary supplement with salmon oil can have a positive effect on the condition of the fur and the complexion.
Dose salmon oil for cats correctly
Based on the effects mentioned, it quickly becomes clear that a dietary supplement with salmon oil can make sense for cats. However, that does not mean that you should give your four-legged friend as much of it as possible.
Too large amounts of salmon oil can cause digestive problems such as severe diarrhea, among other things. Especially if your house tiger has a sensitive digestion anyway, you should slowly approach the optimal dosage.
In principle, you can assume that the manufacturer’s consumption recommendations represent a good guideline. Normally, depending on body weight, your cat does not need more than a quarter of a teaspoon of salmon oil per day in order to be adequately supplied with omega-3 fatty acids. If your four-legged friend is very small and light, even less can be enough.
Salmon oil for outdoor cats
If your cat is an outdoor cat, we recommend that you be a little more economical with the dosage of the salmon oil. Because the risk of injury is significantly higher in outdoor cats than in indoor cats, which, in combination with the blood-thinning effect of salmon oil, can quickly become a problem.
Salmon oil as an ingredient in cat food
Recognizing the health benefits of salmon oil, many cat food manufacturers use it as an ingredient in their cat food. This is basically a positive thing. However, the quantity and quality of the salmon oil contained in cat food is not always very high, so that the positive effects on health are sometimes negligible and an additional dietary supplement with salmon oil can still be useful, depending on the food.