Seafood Alternatives for Omega Supplementation?

ty3535

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Hi!
Enzo can’t tolerate even the smallest amount of seafood. I’ve tried sneaking various fish oils into his food and he always throws up. I recently tried feeding him Almo mackerel as a treat, and that also didn’t work. I would really like to give him omegas, but I’m not finding any sources that cats can convert that aren’t fish. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you!
 

white shadow

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First, a quick reply: You dont want to use fish, you need the oil. Most cats dislike the taste, so there are 2 tips that can make all the difference for you. One is to start with just a drop of oil a day - yes, one drop - into a 'stinky' food (there you'll probably have some quantity of a fish ingredient in that - I use the FF patés). Over a long period of time, increasing that amount by a drop periodically will ease the cat into the required 'dose'. This will be like watching paint drying, if you do it correctly. Here's a clip from my 'go-to' for all-things-cat:
Although most cats like fish, the oils can be a bit strong, and many cats dislike the smell. Some cats may vomit after eating them. It is therefore wise to start off very slowly, just using one drop at first which you add to a smelly food that may disguise the taste, and gradually increase the dose over several days or even weeks. If your cat still hates it, you can either decant the oil into a gelcap, try finding a less smelly product, or discuss with your vet whether to continue with the supplement. Some members of my support group find krill oil is more acceptable to their cats.​
That, plus a good overall coverage of the Omegas is here: Tanya's Guide...Nutritional Requirements - Esential Fatty Acids

Hope that helps!
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Try a plant based source of omega 3s and omega 6s. Flax seed oil is one and is found in some cat foods. Sunflower seed oil is another. Some articles you may find helpful:


Most cat foods contain some amount of omegas in one form or another so supplementation isn't necessary. Is there a reason you want to supplement?
 
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ty3535

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First, a quick reply: You dont want to use fish, you need the oil. Most cats dislike the taste, so there are 2 tips that can make all the difference for you. One is to start with just a drop of oil a day - yes, one drop - into a 'stinky' food (there you'll probably have some quantity of a fish ingredient in that - I use the FF patés). Over a long period of time, increasing that amount by a drop periodically will ease the cat into the required 'dose'. This will be like watching paint drying, if you do it correctly. Here's a clip from my 'go-to' for all-things-cat:
Although most cats like fish, the oils can be a bit strong, and many cats dislike the smell. Some cats may vomit after eating them. It is therefore wise to start off very slowly, just using one drop at first which you add to a smelly food that may disguise the taste, and gradually increase the dose over several days or even weeks. If your cat still hates it, you can either decant the oil into a gelcap, try finding a less smelly product, or discuss with your vet whether to continue with the supplement. Some members of my support group find krill oil is more acceptable to their cats.​
That, plus a good overall coverage of the Omegas is here: Tanya's Guide...Nutritional Requirements - Esential Fatty Acids

Hope that helps!
.
Thanks for replying! He can’t tolerate any fish or fish oil. I’ve tried salmon oil, krill oil, and it’s doesn’t matter how small of a drop I give him, he ends up vomiting.
 
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ty3535

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Try a plant based source of omega 3s and omega 6s. Flax seed oil is one and is found in some cat foods. Sunflower seed oil is another. Some articles you may find helpful:


Most cat foods contain some amount of omegas in one form or another so supplementation isn't necessary. Is there a reason you want to supplement?
Hi! I mostly want to give it to him for the anti inflammatory benefits. He currently eats Evangers Braised Chicken pate which miraculously contains no fish, but I also don’t see any omegas in any form in the ingredients. I will definitely look into flaxseed oil today.
 

white shadow

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Try a plant based source of omega 3s........ Some articles you may find helpful.......

Plant-based Omega-3's are useless for cats.

Two of the three articles quoted state this:
  • #2 - Tuft's: "to provide the most helpful omega-3 fatty acids to dogs and cats, you should use fish oil (which contains EPA and DHA) rather than flax, chia, or other plant-based omega-3 fatty acid sources".
  • #3 - IVC Journal - see last section "Omega-3s – plant or animal?" - the wording in there can be confusing and not clear-cut but, in context, that message is in there
Dr. Jean Hofve speaks to this too, here - see the section "Flaxseed/Nut/Vegetable Oils". She also mentions a Greenlip Mussel product. But, marine oils are the overall source.

There is good overall coverage of all this in a couple of the "Tanya's Guide..." site. Have a read here and here.

Now, you wrote that he "can't tolerate...fish oil". There are alternatives, including Krill. In that first Tanya link, go down to the 'Where to Buy" section - you'll find alternatives there.
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I'm not certain plant-based sources for omegas are very effective.

How effective is flaxseed oil?
While ALA can be converted to DHA and EPA (the most effective anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids), cats and dogs do not convert this efficiently. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory effects of flaxseed oil are not as powerful as fish oil. Limited studies in animals have been performed, but there is evidence that flaxseed oil does not work as well as fish oil to treat inflammatory diseases; higher doses may be needed to achieve an effect.
Source: Flaxseed Oil

Fish oils are the fatty components of fish. Fish allergies are to the protein components of fish. My guess is that you're starting too fast e.g. starting with the full dose. I would start with salmon oil and try one drop once a day for a week. Add a drop each week until you're at the right dose. If he vomits, back up to the last dose he didn't vomit and stay there for another week or two.

You're welcome to try the flaxseed oil. But you may not be able to give him enough to be effective without giving him too much. You'll know in the litterbox (or on the carpet) when you gave him too much.

You might also consider CBD oil if you can't find a fish or flax oil he can tolerate. With a CBD oil, I would look for a big dog formula as it's going to be concentrated so you won't have to give very much (a drop or two.)
 
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ty3535

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I'm not certain plant-based sources for omegas are very effective.



Source: Flaxseed Oil

Fish oils are the fatty components of fish. Fish allergies are to the protein components of fish. My guess is that you're starting too fast e.g. starting with the full dose. I would start with salmon oil and try one drop once a day for a week. Add a drop each week until you're at the right dose. If he vomits, back up to the last dose he didn't vomit and stay there for another week or two.

You're welcome to try the flaxseed oil. But you may not be able to give him enough to be effective without giving him too much. You'll know in the litterbox (or on the carpet) when you gave him too much.

You might also consider CBD oil if you can't find a fish or flax oil he can tolerate. With a CBD oil, I would look for a big dog formula as it's going to be concentrated so you won't have to give very much (a drop or two.)
I had read that flaxseed wasn’t easily converted in cats so I had really taken that off the table. I was giving him a small portion of mackerel every day, which he was eating but later throwing up, so I’m wondering if I maybe only gave it to him once or twice a week in a smaller portion? I tried salmon oil, maybe I was giving too much but he wouldn’t eat his food when I put only a few drops in. Same with the krill oil. So even if I gave a smaller dose to help with the vomiting I don’t feel confident that he’d eat whatever I put the oil in. And if I give him such a small dose do you think it would even be beneficial?
 

daftcat75

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I had read that flaxseed wasn’t easily converted in cats so I had really taken that off the table. I was giving him a small portion of mackerel every day, which he was eating but later throwing up, so I’m wondering if I maybe only gave it to him once or twice a week in a smaller portion? I tried salmon oil, maybe I was giving too much but he wouldn’t eat his food when I put only a few drops in. Same with the krill oil. So even if I gave a smaller dose to help with the vomiting I don’t feel confident that he’d eat whatever I put the oil in. And if I give him such a small dose do you think it would even be beneficial?
A small portion of mackerel will also contain the protein. He might be intolerant/allergic to the protein.

If he doesn't like salmon oil, you can try to pick up a human fish oil supplement, something in a gel cap, and then prick the cap with a pin or the tip of a knife and squeeze a single drop (or two) into his food. When you do this, toss the remaining capsule or take it yourself. When you start him with a drop for a dose, that's a starting dose. Stick with it and slowly increase that dose over weeks or months as he tolerates it. You're not going to stay at 1 drop. But you're letting his body get used to that one drop before you add another drop to his dose. It may take you a few months to get to the full dose. Or he might not even need the full dose for you to notice a difference. But when dealing with sensitive tummies, slow ramp-ups are the best strategy for new foods or supplements.
 

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I like daftcat75 daftcat75 's suggestion on starting very small.

And I'll add that one of our cats vomits if she eats foods with green-lipped mussels. I'm not sure how many cats have that problem but they definitely bother her!
 
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ty3535

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I like daftcat75 daftcat75 's suggestion on starting very small.

And I'll add that one of our cats vomits if she eats foods with green-lipped mussels. I'm not sure how many cats have that problem but they definitely bother her!
Enzo too! I was so bummed when I tried to feed him ziwi peak and he kept vomiting. He definitely can’t tolerate the green lipped muscle. Which stinks because it seems like a lot of the highest quality foods contain it.
 

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Enzo too! I was so bummed when I tried to feed him ziwi peak and he kept vomiting. He definitely can’t tolerate the green lipped muscle. Which stinks because it seems like a lot of the highest quality foods contain it.
Yes, the worst thing in our case is that it's in the EZ Complete supplement, which I really liked feeding. At first I thought it was only agar-agar that was bothering Edwina -- the mussels and the agar-agar are both in several canned foods I'd been feeding pretty occasionally -- but then she kept barfing even after I eliminated the agar-agar. When I finally got through narrowing down using trial and error, only the mussels were left. And getting rid of them did the trick. (In retrospect, based on patterns, I realize I should have suspected the mussels much earlier!)
 
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ty3535

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Yes, the worst thing in our case is that it's in the EZ Complete supplement, which I really liked feeding. At first I thought it was only agar-agar that was bothering Edwina -- the mussels and the agar-agar are both in several canned foods I'd been feeding pretty occasionally -- but then she kept barfing even after I eliminated the agar-agar. When I finally got through narrowing down using trial and error, only the mussels were left. And getting rid of them did the trick. (In retrospect, based on patterns, I realize I should have suspected the mussels much earlier!)
Enzo throws up salmon and salmon oil, tuna (the Fancy Feast filets for cats), any fish oil including krill, shrimp, the green lipped mussels so I’m assuming it’s all seafood. I guess I could try other fish, like small amounts of the mackerel, but I feel bad risking him not feeling good. I wish I could determine whether or not it was all seafood or only specific kinds without making him sick.
 

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Hi! I mostly want to give it to him for the anti inflammatory benefits.
Silycumin I use this product called Silycumin for anti-inflammation. You may not find this specific product but basically turmeric and milk thistle extracts (it also has added B12 and a few other B vitamins I think.) I can't be sure what it does for other organs but I'm confident it helps with her gingivitis.
 

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Enzo throws up salmon and salmon oil, tuna (the Fancy Feast filets for cats), any fish oil including krill, shrimp, the green lipped mussels so I’m assuming it’s all seafood. I guess I could try other fish, like small amounts of the mackerel, but I feel bad risking him not feeling good. I wish I could determine whether or not it was all seafood or only specific kinds without making him sick.
Yes, I'd probably stay away from all fish, too, particularly since it can be so hard to know how sick they'll get from even a small amount. The quantity of green-lipped mussels in the supplement had to be pretty small but it made Edwina barf at least once a week or so. (She ate one meal with it every day.) She was noticeably perkier, too, after we took that food off the menu.
 
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ty3535

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Silycumin I use this product called Silycumin for anti-inflammation. You may not find this specific product but basically turmeric and milk thistle extracts (it also has added B12 and a few other B vitamins I think.) I can't be sure what it does for other organs but I'm confident it helps with her gingivitis.
I will definitely try to find this! I mostly am worried about kidney and gastrointestinal stuff but the vet did say his gums were starting to erode a bit at his last visit so that will be a bonus. Hopefully I can find something like it if that exact product doesn’t exist anymore. Thank you so so much!!
 

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if that exact product doesn’t exist anymore.
Oh it definitely exists. It's just a Turkish product and I live in Turkey. I know they export to quite a few countries but I don't remember seeing the USA on the list. But you may perhaps find something with similar ingredients or maybe the company has a suggestion to send out to the USA. (Turkish lira is doing terrible so everything will be cheap for the USA customers.) Good luck!
 
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ty3535

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Oh it definitely exists. It's just a Turkish product and I live in Turkey. I know they export to quite a few countries but I don't remember seeing the USA on the list. But you may perhaps find something with similar ingredients or maybe the company has a suggestion to send out to the USA. (Turkish lira is doing terrible so everything will be cheap for the USA customers.) Good luck!
I did find it, were they tablets that you used? He does terrible with pills so I don’t think that’ll work. I think I’ll email them and see if they have it in powder form. Thank you so much again!
 

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I did find it, were they tablets that you used? He does terrible with pills so I don’t think that’ll work. I think I’ll email them and see if they have it in powder form. Thank you so much again!
It’s a tablet but apparently tastes good for cats! Mine eats it right away. :-) If your kitty doesn’t it’s quite soft for a pill though so you can powderize them too.
 
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