Salmon Oil For Cats (Top Benefits, Cost, Where To Buy & More)

Salmon is a superfood that's rich in omega-3 fats DHA and EPA. Salmon oil is a popular type of fish oil, and it's heavily recommended as a supplement for cats. 

So, is salmon oil good for cats? In short, yes, absolutely! 

Let's discuss everything from A to Z about salmon oil for cats, its profound benefits and where you can get one for your beloved fur friend.      

What are the benefits of cat salmon oils? 

Salmon oil for cats comes with a myriad of benefits. Firstly, salmon oil helps to relieve dry and flaky skin. 

Most cat skin issues such as irritation or itchiness are attributable to the low availability of omega acids. As salmon oil is an excellent source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, it helps to improve cat skin and coat health. 

Moreover, salmon oil for cats also comes with EPA and DHA, two long-chain polyunsaturated omega-fatty acids components. These active ingredients have potent anti-inflammatory effects. That being so, salmon oil benefits joint support in healthy and arthritic cats.   

Besides, salmon oil is also linked to a significant reduction in triglyceride levels in the system. This helps provide a cardioprotective effect to cats, especially those older cats. It's evident that salmon oil is suitable for all types of cats and offers many holistic benefits to produce the best health outcomes.    

Does salmon oil help with hairballs? 

Cats groom themselves by licking their fur coat with their tongue. Though this is a self-sufficient process, it gives way to the formation of problematic hairballs. This is because when cats lick their coat, loose and dead hair strands may get stuck to their tongue. 

Followingly, these hair strands may be accidentally swallowed into the stomach, forming hairballs.      

Usually, cats would vomit out the hairball to get rid of it. Hairballs are not only unpleasant to look at, but they’re also difficult to clean after and manage in households. Salmon oil is well-known for its positive effects on reducing hairball formation and control. 

Salmon oil helps improve overall skin and coat health in cats when consumed as recommended regularly. A healthier cat skin reduces hair loss and improves hair strength. Consequently, it would halt the cycle of hairball formation. 

This is happy news for both you and your kitty! 

Are there side effects for cat salmon oils? 

Fish oils, in general, are very safe for consumption. However, some cats could be allergic or sensitive to salmon oil. 

Symptoms of intolerance you should look out for include diarrhea, vomiting, increased skin itchiness, or flaking. 

It's also important to avoid using unreputable or unregistered fish oil products. This is because salmon oil brands with poor quality control and sub-par safety standards may increase your cat's risk of heavy metal toxicity. 

Therefore, remember to check if the salmon oil is distilled and free from impurities.

How much salmon oil can I give my cats?

The main constituents of salmon oil are omega-3 fatty acids with EPA and DHA. The required amount of salmon for your cat depends on its body weight. The general rule is to give 30 to 50 mg of EPA and DHA per kg of body weight. 

However, the dose recommendations may vary from product to product. That being so, it’s best to refer to the product instructions to determine the best amount of salmon oil for your cat. 

How do I add salmon oil to my cat's food?

Firstly, determine the correct amount of salmon oil your cat requires based on its body weight (kg). You can easily find this information in the product packaging or leaflet.

Next, carefully measure about 30% of the total amount and feed it to your cat. 

Most salmon oil cat supplements come in liquid formulations. This makes it easy to mix fish oil in wet cat food, dry cat food, or give it directly to your cat. Once your cat is used to the taste of salmon oil, increase the dosage to the total daily amount within 1-2 weeks.  

You can give salmon oil to cats with or without food.

However, if your cat shows symptoms of stomach upset after taking salmon oil on an empty stomach, give future doses of salmon oil with food. 

Top 3 best salmon oil for your cats

Here are some of the best salmon oil for cats you can give your cat today: 

1. Dr. Clauder's B.A.R.F Lachsol Salmon Oil

This premium nutritional supplement product contains 100% natural salmon oil. It's recommended for cats and dogs with dull hair, poor coat health, or sensitive skin. This salmon oil product's high proportions of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids allow it to act on animals' skin and hair directly.

Furthermore, this product has a very low percentage of free fatty acids (<1%), which further highlights its excellence in quality. 

Ratings: 4.9 stars / 35 ratings

Direction to use: cats below 5 kg of body weight (3ml daily); cats between 5 to 10kg of body weight (5ml daily) 

Price range: RM48 to RM75

Buy online: Shopee // 88PetsMart

2. Zesty Paws Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil 

This salmon oil product is loaded with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA to promote skin and coat health. It's suitable to be mixed into both dry and wet cat food.

Although this product does not contain any artificial flavours, preservatives, or synthetic colours, it tastes great for cats. Therefore, you can be sure of your furbaby finishing up its food when mixed with salmon oil—and maybe even ask for more!  

Ratings: 4.7 stars / 506 ratings 

Direction to use: Give approximately 1 pump per 0.5kg (do not exceed 10 teaspoons a day). The amounts can be split between morning and evening. 

Price range: ~ RM 134 to RM 191 

Buy online: iHerb // Threebs 

‍3. Brit Care Salmon Oil

This is one of the most cost-effective options of 100% natural salmon oil. It's an excellent source of pure omega-3 fatty acids with EPA and DHA.

Regular salmon oil intake is reviewed to reduce hair loss significantly, dandruff problems, and hair thinning. Besides that, salmon oil has anti-inflammatory properties to help treat eczema, skin inflammation, and associated skin itching in cats. 

Ratings: 4.9 stars / 150 ratings

Price range: RM 68

Buy online: Shopee

Make sure to consistently give salmon oil to your cat for at least 2-3 weeks before expecting any positive results. The time it takes for salmon oil to exert its health benefits depends on your cat's overall health and the salmon oil product's quality and strength.

Fish oil vs. Salmon oil — which is better?

The main differentiating factor between salmon oil and other fish oil is the constituent of omega-3 and other fats. Salmon oil contains a higher level of omega-3 fatty acids than other forms of fish oil. It’s usually processed through wet pressing to preserve most of its high content of fatty acids. 

On the other hand, fish oil contains a higher percentage of EPA/DHA omega-3 fatty acids. However, fish oil has a more significant proportion of unhealthy saturated fat than salmon oil. 

Both fish oil and salmon oil bring valuable benefits to the table. That said, when compared side by side, salmon oil's nutritional benefits stand out more than general fish oil. 

Bottomline 

Salmon oil is an amazing source of nutrition for cats, with countless positive impacts on your cat's well-being. You must also remember to consult with your veterinarian before starting your cat on salmon oil supplementation. 

This is because your veterinarian can help ensure you're giving your cat the best quality of salmon oil in the right amount. 

Finally, if you haven’t already, check out Oyen Insurance Plan for your beloved kitty cat. Take an insurance eligibility quiz for your pet here and have your next veterinary visit on us!