Omega Fatty Acids and their role in the diet of the cat

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Pet owners often avoid fat in their pets' diets. In this article, we explain why high-quality fat, especially omega fatty acids, should not be missing in your cat's food.

What are omega fatty acids?

These are part of unsaturated fatty acids that contain multiple double or triple bonds. In contrast, saturated fatty acids contain only single bonds. In particular, some unsaturated fatty acids are considered essential, so they must be ingested by the cat through food.

This includes:

• Alpha Linolenic Acid (⍵-3)
• Linoleic Acid (⍵-6)
• Arachidonic Acid (⍵-6)
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (⍵-3)

What does your cat need fatty acids for?

Fats play a role in many parts of the metabolism and organism. They act as precursors of important hormones such as prostaglandins or thromboxanes and strengthen the skin's stability. Above all, a lack of omega-6 fatty acids such as arachidonic acid quickly becomes noticeable, as the cat's skin and fur quickly appear scaly and dry. These fats are also vital for lactating queens and puppies. Omega-3 fatty acids are said to play an anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating role.

Fatty acid deficiency

This can be caused primarily by various organ diseases such as those of the liver or pancreas. Poorly stored feed (too light, too warm) often leads to a lack of essential fatty acids, as these become rancid under unfavorable conditions.

Where are essential unsaturated omega fatty acids found?

To ensure that your cat is provided with these important building blocks, you should look for the following characteristics when buying food for your pet:

• High meat content, best processed fresh
• High-quality vegetable fats such as linseed or safflower oil
• Animal fat

So as you can see, there are numerous benefits of having a high fat content in cat food. In the future, pay attention to the points mentioned above in order to offer your darling a wholesome diet.