Cats have hardly changed their diet since they domesticated themselves 12,000 years ago. Right now, your Oyen at home is an obligate carnivore, meaning he shares the same dietary needs as a tiger in the wild.
To keep themselves energetic and healthy, cats need a balanced diet with essential nutrients. In the past, cats would supplement their diets by hunting outside of the home, but with environmental and safety concerns emerging, letting your cats roam freely is mostly frowned upon.
Therefore, you should be keeping an eye on the food you feed your cats and make sure that they can get the nutrients they need. One of the most common natural supplements you should be giving your cats is fish oil supplements, which typically contain fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6. But why do your cats need fatty acids?
So, What Are Fatty Acids?
First of all, let’s have a basic rundown of what fatty acids are.
Omega-3 and 6 are essential fatty acids that can be found in fish, plant-based ingredients, meat, and eggs. They contain two important polyunsaturated acids: Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), both of which play very important roles in the health and cognitive development of your cat.
In particular, Omega-3 is considered as the building block of good nutrition by strengthening the immune system and preventing inflammation.
However, unlike humans, your cat cannot produce its own essential fatty acids, so they must be obtained from their diet.
Why Are Fatty Acids So Important For Cats?
Does your cat suffer from dull fur or skin problems? Here’s your answer.
Balancing the right amount of fatty acids in your cat’s diet will help improve your cat’s skin and coat health. As Omega-3 and 6 are known to soothe dry and flaky skin, cats with allergies or other sensitivities would benefit from having more fatty acids in their diet, as the supplement reduces cytokines that trigger inflammation.
Even if your cat does not suffer from skin issues, adding Omega-3 and 6 to its diet will keep its fur shiny and smooth.
Additionally, fatty acids help boost your cat’s immunity so that it can better fight off minor colds and viruses. In fact, regularly feeding your cat the right amount of fatty acids will prevent more serious health concerns as they age.
Also, just like humans, cats can suffer from arthritis and joint pain, especially in their later years.
In fact, some studies have shown that adding fatty acids to a cat's diet results in an improved range of motion, including jumping around and interacting with humans. This is thanks to the high levels of anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3 and 6, which lessens the symptoms of osteoarthritis and promotes joint health.
Where Can I Get Good Sources of Fatty Acids for My Cat?
Omega-3 can be found in natural sources like fish and plants such as flaxseed, canola, soybean, and walnuts. Meanwhile, Omega-6 is more common and can be found in eggs and various types of meat.
Both fatty acids are found in commercial cat food. Therefore, if you can’t find the time to get the right supplements for your cats, you may take some time to carefully choose the right cat food brand that has the right balance of both fatty acids and other nutrients. Overwise, too much of one over the other may be detrimental to your fur kid’s health.
Omega-3 vs. Omega-6: Finding the Right Balance
While both are fatty acids, the difference is not only in the number. We’ll save you the full scientific explanation; in short, the difference between Omega-3 and Omega-6 is based on molecular structure.
Unlike Omega-3, Omega-6 contains linoleic acid, which is essential for cats and helps promote a healthier coat, strengthen the immune system, and help with growth and development in kittens. That said, Omega-6 can also be a double-edged sword if you do not maintain the right ratio of fatty acids in your cat’s diet.
Meanwhile, Omega-3 has anti-inflammatory properties, whereas Omega-6 tends to do the opposite. Therefore, too much Omega-6 and too little Omega-3 may cause some health problems. If anything, the maximum recommended ratio of these two fatty acids is 30:1, according to the American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Because of that, it’s imperative that you check the formula of the cat food you’re feeding your cat. A nutritionally balanced and complete cat food formula should contain the right amount and ratio of Omega-3 and 6, along with other essential nutrients.
Buy: Me-O Cat Food
Most commercially available pet food contains Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, but the balance in the amount might not be right. Luckily, a brand such as Me-O cat food contains the right amount of Omega-3 and 6 as well as other daily need nutrients, so you don’t need to worry about anything or purchase additional supplements separately.
Table of Contents
Me-O cat food is formulated to meet or exceed the nutritional levels established by the US National Research Council (NRC) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Overview
All of their food’s specially designed formula contains all the essential nutrients that your cat needs, so your cat can be sure to have enough taurine, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, calcium phosphorus, zinc, and of course, Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. Rest assured that all are derived from high-quality source of oil.
The company behind Me-O cat food Perfect Companion Group established its Pet Food Research Center 30 years ago to understand and develop high-quality pet products for companion animals.
Their dedication to being a highly-qualified research center is fueled by the determination to provide only the best quality ingredients and proper nutritional care, considered in every one of their products.
Conclusion
Just like you, your cat needs a healthy balance of the right nutrients included in its diet. Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids are essential in the growth and reproduction of your cat, boost the function of the immune system, and are a vital source of energy for pets.
Getting the right balance of nutrients in your pet’s food shouldn’t be hard or expensive. At least, not with a brand like Me-O’s cat food that provides everything you and your cat needs.
Coming in different flavours and variants specially designed for your little fur babies, Me-O cat food combines great taste with balanced nutrition so that your cat will be able to enjoy a long and healthy life.
Me-O Dry Cat Food
- Me-O Adult Cat Food: Me-O Adult Cat Food is completed diet contains no less than 30% crude protein, 9% crude fat, 4% crude fibre, and 10% moisture, and comes in 7 flavours: Tuna, chicken & vegetables, beef flavour & vegetables, seafood, gourmet, salmon, and mackerel. All flavours contain oil, fatty acids, taurine, and other beneficial nutrients for your cat.
- Me-O Sterile Cat Formula: Me-O also offers specially formulated cat food for obese-prone sterile cats, which provides a low-calorie density diet with a balanced level of mineral composition to maintain the optimal range of urine pH. Most importantly, the Sterile Cat Formula incorporates a good fibre blend to improve digestive health and prevent gastrointestinal disorders.
- Me-O Persian Cat Formula: This special formula incorporates a special fibre that continuously promotes the safe passage of swallowed hair through the digestive tract to reduce hairball formation. This comes in both adult and kitten versions for long hair cats.
- Me-O Kitten Food: Me-O Kitten Food contains milk proteins to help promote the growth of kittens up to 24 weeks of age. Just like Me-O Adult Cat Food, Me-O Kitten Food is complete diet which elevate the heath to a new level in great taste.
Me-O Wet Cat Food
- Me-O Creamy Treats: Me-O Creamy Treats or cat lick is snack treats that hep in boding between owner and cat. These wet cat licks come in convenient little packages and contain up to 85% moisture, so your cat can hydrate themselves while enjoying creamy treats. They contain taurine, omega 3 & 6, zinc, and DL-methionine.
- Me-O Wet Cat Food in Can: Made from real fish and containing complete nutrition, Me-O’s canned wet cat food comes in three flavours: sardine, tuna, and seafood. This cat food can help promote healthy vision and maintain muscle in your cat.
- Me-O Wet Cat Food in Pouch: Me-O’s wet cat food comes in convenient little pouches as well for easier storage. It is also highly hygiene where every pack is made for a single meal without an excess of food that may cause contamination or problem in storage. The pouched cat food comes in 7 flavours for adult cats and two for kittens.
As an aside, please check with your veterinarian before adding new supplements to your cat’s diet, as you will need to make sure that it is not allergic or sensitive to any ingredients. After switching foods, do keep an eye on your cat’s wellbeing and consult a veterinarian as soon as you notice anything abnormal.
[This article is made in collaboration with Me-O cat food]