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Feline Omega-3 Research Studies Summary

Feline research studies that support the beneficial effects of omega-3.

Omega-3 supplementation is beneficial to maintain:
• Skin and coat health
• Renal function
• Growth and reproduction
• Immune system health
• Heart health
• Joint health

 

Skin and coat health

• Lechowski R, Sawosz E, Kluciński W. The effect of the addition of oil preparation with increased content of n-3 fatty acids on serum lipid profile and clinical condition of cats with miliary dermatitis. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A. 1998 Sep;45(6-7):417-24.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of an oil preparation with increased n-3 fatty acids content on the serum lipid profile and clinical condition of cats with miliary dermatitis. The studies were performed on 22 cats of various breeds and both sexes, aged between 3 and 7 years, that had been fed a balanced diet, based on beef meat for the previous 6 months. The animals were divided into four groups: I, five clinically healthy cats; II, five clinically healthy cats, receiving 1 ml of oil preparation with food for 6 weeks; III, seven nonpruritic cats with miliary dermatitis, without treatment; and group IV, five nonpruritic cats with miliary dermatitis, receiving 1 ml of oil preparation per day with food for 6 weeks. Every 2 weeks all cats were clinically examined. Determination of the serum lipid profile and composition of the oil preparation was performed using gas chromatography. The concentration of total cholesterol (CHL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction and triacylglycerols (TG) were determined spectrophotometrically.

In three sick animals, the dermatological signs disappeared completely. In cats with miliary dermatitis, who did not receive the oil preparation, the ratio of cholesterol and HDL to triacylglycerols was reversed compared with healthy cats and sick animals which had received the oil preparation. The addition of the oil preparation lowered the content of saturated fatty acids in serum, in particular palmitic acid, and increased the content of unsaturated acids, linolenic, eicosapentaenoic (EPA, n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, n-3). Simultaneously, a nonsignificant rise in arachidonic acid (AA, n-6) and a decrease in dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA, n-6) were found. These observations indicate that cats with miliary dermatitis require an increased amount of n-3 fatty acids in the diet. This was proved not only by the observed changes in the serum lipid profile but also by the clinical improvement.

• Campbell KL. Fatty acid supplementation and dermatologic diseases in cats and dogs. Vet Clin Nutr 1996; 3(1);14-15.

• Watson TD. Diet and skin disease in dogs and cats. J Nutr.1998 Dec;128(12 Suppl):2783S-2789S.

Dietary factors have a major role in the maintenance of healthy coat and skin, and are significant in the etiology and therapy of certain skin diseases. Nutritional deficiencies are now uncommon as a result of the widespread feeding of complete and balanced pet foods. Deficiencies of (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids, zinc and vitamins, however, do arise in certain animal- or product-related instances. Supraphysiologic doses of vitamin A have been used in the management of vitamin A-responsive dermatosis in Cocker spaniels; other keratinization defects and seborrheic conditions may respond to retinoid therapy. Much interest has been paid to the therapeutic value of polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements in the management of dermatologic conditions associated with hypersensitivity reactions or keratinization defects. These studies have generally yielded disappointing results, which may reflect shortcomings in the design of some trials.

Nevertheless, a placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study has demonstrated a clear benefit of high dose (n-3) fatty acids in the management of pruritic skin disease. There is also preliminary experimental evidence that specific dietary (n-6):(n-3) fatty ratios are useful in the dietary management of inflammatory diseases. Although results of controlled clinical trials are awaited, the argument exists that it is the absolute amount of (n-3) fatty acid intake rather than ratio that is responsible for potential health benefits.

 

Renal function

• Plantinga EA, Everts H, Kastelein AM, Beynen AC. Retrospective study of the survival of cats with acquired chronic renal insufficiency offered different commercial diets. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

A retrospective study was carried out on the efficacy of seven commercial diets designed to be fed to cats with chronic renal failure. The median survival time of 175 cats that received conventional diets was seven months, whereas the median survival time of 146 cats given one of the seven diets was 16 months. The cats on the most effective of the diets had a median survival time of 23 months and those on the least effective diet had a median survival time of 12 months. The composition of the seven diets was comparable, except that the most effective diet had a particularly high content of eicosapentaenoic acid.

• Plantinga EA, Hovenier R, Beynen AC. Qualitative risk assessment of chronic renal failure development in healthy, female cats as based on the content of eicosapentaenoic acid in adipose tissue and that of arachidonic acid in plasma cholesteryl esters. Vet Res Commun. 2005 May;29(4):281-6.

A study was carried out to assess the qualitative risk of development of chronic renal failure (CRF) in young healthy, female cats as based on the content of arachidonic acid (AA) in plasma cholesteryl esters (CE) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in adipose tissue. It has been suggested that the content of AA in CE should be <10% of total fatty acids (TFA) and of EPA in adipose tissue be >1.4% of TFA. Subcutaneous adipose tissue and blood samples were obtained from 48 female cats. There was a statistically significant correlation between linoleic acid content of adipose tissue and that of plasma CE. In all cats the EPA content of adipose tissue was lower than 1.4% of TFA and in 30 cats that of AA in plasma CE was higher than 10% of TFA.

The EPA content of adipose tissue and the AA content of plasma CE are determined by the contents of these fatty acids in the diet. It is concluded that the fatty acid composition of cat foods should be determined and that, if deemed necessary, the ingredient composition should be altered so that the content of EPA is raised and that of AA is lowered.

 

Growth and reproduction

• Allen KG, Harris MA. The role of n-3 fatty acids in gestation and parturition. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2001 Jun;226(6):498-506.

• Robert J. Pawlosky et al; "Is dietary arachidonic acid necessary for feline reproduction?"; Journal of Nutritrion; vol. 126, No. 4Suppl., 1996, pp. 1081S-1085S.

• Waldron MK, Spencer AL, Bauer JE. Role of long-chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids in the development of the nervous system of dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1998 Sep 1;213(5):619-22.

 

Immune system health

• Bauer JE. Metabolic basis for the essential nature of fatty acids and the unique dietary fatty acid requirements of cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006 Dec 1;229(11):1729-32.

• Simpson JW. Diet and large intestinal disease in dogs and cats. J Nutr 1998;128:2717S-2722S.

 

Heart health

• Goodwin JK, Strickland KN. The role of dietary modification and non-drug therapy in dogs and cats with congestive heart failure. Vet Med 1998;93(10):919-926.

 

Joint health

• Wong TS, Park JS, Park HF, Kim HW, Chew BP, Hayek MG, Reinhart GA. Anti-inflammatory action of dietary fish and flaxseed oils in cats. FASEB 1996; 15(4):A294.

 

J. Anim Sci. 2007. 85:2183-2189. doi:10.2527/jas.2006-528
© 2007 American Society of Animal Science

“It is very important to maintain a balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet. An inappropriate balance of these essential fatty acids contributes to the development of disease while a proper balance helps maintain and even improve health. Many researchers believe an imbalance is a significant factor in the rising rate of inflammatory disorders in the United States.”

- University of Maryland Medical Center -