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The Health Benefits of Fish Oil in Kitten Food

Is anything cuter than an adorable kitten with a gorgeous, healthy coat? We don’t think so. That’s why we include fish oil in IAMS™ dry kitten food to help promote healthy skin and a healthy coat for your furry bundle of joy.

Let’s dive deeper into fish oil and meal, what it does, how it can help your kitten and why it’s an important component in all IAMS™ dry kitten foods.

illustration of a cat lunging afer a fish

Let’s dive deeper into fish oil and meal, what it does, how it can help your kitten and why it’s an important component in all IAMS™ dry kitten foods.

What Is Fish Oil?

You guessed it: Fish oil is fat or oil extracted from fish. Fish meal, which is used in IAMS™ dry kitten foods, is a good source of natural fish oil — which is a high-quality source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Now, time for a science lesson! Fatty acids, a smaller component of fat, are critical for many kitten body functions. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fatty acid with important nutritional value for kittens. Fish oil from deep, cold-water fish contains omega-3 fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

fish oil chemical compound structure

When a kitten eats food with fatty acids, the fatty acids are incorporated into their tissues, including the skin. (Turns out you really are what you eat!) Omega-3 fatty acids produce substances that promote healthy skin conditions, especially when balanced with omega-6 fatty acids (found in common kitten food ingredients such as chicken fat and corn oil).

How Is Fish Oil Good for Cats and Kittens?

So what does all this mean for your kitten? Feeding a complete and balanced diet with a balanced ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is proven to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat in cats¹. Studies reveal that when fed fish oil, cats show:

A more uniform coat
Increased shine
A softer coat

paw licking good

DHA from fish oil has also been shown to promote healthy brain and vision development in kittens — important for all the hours of play and nighttime zoomies your kitten will experience in their lifetime.

All IAMS™ dry kitten foods, such as IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Mother And Kitten, are formulated with fish oil and an optimal ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Proper nutrition as a kitten can help support your kitten’s soft and shiny coat now — and for all the years to come.

1 Data on file, The IAMS™ Company, 2000.

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Is Your Cat a Picky Eater? Try These Cat Feeding Tips!

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Cats are known for being a bit choosey about what they will and won’t do. And a little pickiness is fine when it comes to picking out toys and napping spots! But if your cat is or becomes extra-selective about what they’ll eat, it’s time to pay attention and perhaps talk to your vet. You and your vet know your cat best, so it’s always worth checking in if you think your cat isn’t eating enough and want their professional advice.

Start by paying close attention to what your cat is eating and how they behave. This information will help you, your household and your vet work together to make sure your cat is living and eating well.

Feeding Tips for the Truly Finicky Cat

Pay Attention to All the Cat Treats

Is your cat begging for table scraps or holding out on eating until you offer treats? Extras like these can be very disruptive to your cat’s appetite and diet. Think about them like snacks or desserts for you — tasty cravings that are easy to fill up on. A small portion may not seem like much, but it can make a big different for a cat-sized digestive system!

Try dialing back how much you treat your cat to tasty extras and see if their interest in the food bowl starts to return. Remember, it’s generally all right for cats to skip a few meals, but if they haven’t eaten for 24-36 hours it’s time to call the vet (even if they’ve continued drinking water).

Review Your Cat’s Food Routine

Humans often crave variety in their meals, but for cats, routine is king. It’s not likely they’d avoid their regular food out of boredom with it, but if you’ve recently changed the kind of food, the number of feedings or the times you feed your cat, they may be avoiding eating as a response.

It's a good idea to change your cat’s diet gradually (unless your vet advises otherwise). Pickiness can often be resolved by helping your cat adjust and get comfortable with their updated diet!

Help Your Cat Relax While Feeding

If your cat starts eating less, you may want to look for factors that could be causing stress. Seemingly unrelated changes to their environment can shift your cat’s stress levels enough to impact their interest in food. Has another animal or person joined or left the household? Has your cat been adapting to new surroundings due to a move or renovation? As the stress of that change begins to subside, your cat will probably go back to a normal diet.

Talk to your vet about good ideas for reducing your cat’s stress levels and share any concerns you have about their diet then too. You’re both on the same team, so work together to help your cat feel better!

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