Supplements

I am wondering if people out there give their cats coat supplements. Diddo and KittenKiya are both showing some dry skin on their backs near their tails. I was thinking of adding some Omega 3 fish oil supplement to their diets. Does anyone use the stuff? How much should I give them? Their coats look shiny and beautiful, they are not sick, no sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, no ear mites, no fleas. Just some dry skin. Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

I don't really know about supplements, but Dori had flakes from dry skin on her back just above her tail. The lady at Petsmart reccomended a shampoo called Pure Pet. I know the sales people are not always the best to listen to, especially at Petsmart, but it seemed to work. (I know that wasn't related to supplements, but just thought I would share what worked for my Dori )

I'm certainly no expert here, but my understanding as to whether or not a cat needs a supplement would depend upon the quality of the food they're being fed. If they're eating food you can get in a supermarket, the quality of the food might be responsible for the dry skin. If they're eating higher-end food such as Royal Canin, Wellness, Felidae, Innova, etc., the condition likely isn't from the quality of the food, and maybe a shampoo that moistures would help. I'm unfamiliar with creams for cats, though I know they can develop eczema (sp?). It'd be strange for both your cats to have a problem like that at the same time though!

Sorry - when it comes to an omega-3 supplement, I don't know the dosage for cats. Why not just give the vet a buzz?

I am in the process of switching them from Azmira to Iams, so I really don't think the food is the problem. I was at PetsMart the other day and they also recommended a shampoo, but I have never bathed these cats. KittenKiya may not mind too much, but Diddo will kill me. I tried to wash off a scratch on her nose and clip her claws and she bit me three times. Maybe a good brushing out might help. Thanks for the advice and if you guys think of anything else, please let me know.

Hi,

There is a company that makes salmon oil spray products for cats and dogs (Grizzly Salmon Oil) and on their website, they do give the a recommended amt. to use.

Other supplements would include Derm-Caps - a product your vet would carry and could advise you on. The omega-3 fatty acids in some fish are good for your kitty, but as you probably know, a diet of straight canned tuna or other fish can actually cause a vitamin e deficiency and a painful condition called steatitis.

If this were my kitty, I would first try simply supplementing your cats diet (if you are currently just feeding dry, no matter how premium a dry food it is)- with a quality wet food each day.

Hey thanks for the tip on Grizzly Salmon Oil! I will need to talk to my vet about using this, but this may kill 2 birds with one stone for me. I have a couple cats who get the dry skin and they hate this new Prescription Diet G/D food they need to have. So maybe some of this spray will entice them to eat their new food and help their skin too?!?

Originally Posted by Monica's Six

Hey thanks for the tip on Grizzly Salmon Oil! I will need to talk to my vet about using this, but this may kill 2 birds with one stone for me. I have a couple cats who get the dry skin and they hate this new Prescription Diet G/D food they need to have. So maybe some of this spray will entice them to eat their new food and help their skin too?!?

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It may, you never know...got to love those finicky, "have-us-wrapped-around-their littlest-toenail" creatures!

I feed Nakita a high quality dry food (currently California Natural) and wet food, but I also supplement with omega fatty acids for her skin and coat. The product I use recommends feeding a 1/2 tsp per 4 pounds of body weight a day and I mix this in with her wet food.

My vet actually recommended it when I was concerned about how dry my house was over the winter.

Originally Posted by KittenKiya

I am wondering if people out there give their cats coat supplements. Diddo and KittenKiya are both showing some dry skin on their backs near their tails. I was thinking of adding some Omega 3 fish oil supplement to their diets. Does anyone use the stuff? How much should I give them? Their coats look shiny and beautiful, they are not sick, no sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, no ear mites, no fleas. Just some dry skin. Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

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Most commersial cat food contains to little Omega 3-fatty acids (a recent study in Sweden showes this, even "high quality food" like Royal Canin contained to little Omega-3) so it's a good idea to supplement with fish oil (not the same as cod liver oil). I don't think fish oil can be overdoses so 2 ml a day should work. I really don't measure the amount of fish oil I give my cats, I just splash some over the food (they eat homecooked and sometimes canned food).

I just bought pure salmon oil (Norwegian brand) for my two cats, and the label says 1/2 teaspoon (2,5 ml) per day for cats < 5 kg and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) per day for cats >5 kg.