When it comes to improving the overall health of your feline friend, flaxseed can be a good way to do it. Flaxseed is a great source of essential fatty acids like omega-3, and can help improve both the health of your cat as well as his appearance.

What is Flaxseed?

Flaxseed is derived from flax plants and can be found as a food item in grocery stores as well as in supplements and pet foods. Historically, flax has been used to make yarn and other textiles like linen and fabrics. It is a valuable and nutritious ingredient that is widely available and can be extremely beneficial for your kitty.

Benefits of Flaxseed

There are numerous benefits to flaxseed, but three of the main ones are closely related to the essential fatty acid content.

The Top Three Benefits Are:

• Can boost your cat’s immune system
• Can improve the health of your cat’s digestive tract
• Can shine your cat’s coat

Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) are the key ingredient that gives your cat’s immune system a helpful boost. They also have a role in the function of your cat’s nervous system, including his heart health and the development of his brain. Omega-3 is also known as alpha linoleic acid. This EFA is especially helpful in felines that suffer from inflammatory health concerns like arthritis of the joints. This is because flaxseed is full of anti-inflammatory properties. Not only does the anti-inflammatory properties help with joint inflammation, it can also keep your cat’s kidneys healthy by reducing inflammation there as well, and increasing the flow of blood to vital organs. Fatty acids can help cats with kidney problems produce a higher level of triglycerides by supporting the levels of blood lipids. This could potentially help extend the life of a cat beyond your current expectations. Additionally, flaxseed is loaded with natural fiber to help your cat’s digestive system function optimally. A healthy digestive system helps to keep your kitty’s weight at a normal number, and helps to keep your cat’s bowels moving on a regular basis. Plus, flaxseed is full of lignans, which is an important antioxidant with several known potential health benefits.

Flaxseed Helps Address Nutritional Deficiencies

Flaxseed supplements are often recommended by vets because unfortunately, common pet foods just don't always provide for all of your cat’s dietary needs. While it’s true that some cats do okay with them, other cats may have a coat that looks and feels dry because of nutritional deficiencies. Others may develop a condition called pica, in which they chew, suck, and even eat objects that are not food. These objects can include yarn, paper, electrical cords, fabrics, and plants. However, it should be noted that sometimes a cat could have trouble converting the essential fatty acids into EPA and DHA, especially if they are older or suffer from other health conditions. This problem is largely mitigated by using a high quality source of flaxseed that retains the valuable flax oil. When your cat’s flax comes from a quality source, it's much easier for him to use the omegas and convert them into what he needs so that he can reap the health and nutritional rewards. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage and schedules provided on the flaxseed product. You also want to make sure your cat is drinking plenty of water when consuming flaxseed, as proper hydration is very important to avoid any bowel obstructions due to the high fiber content.

Flax is Food, Not Just a Supplement

Keep in mind that flax is considered a food product. Since it is classified as a food, it's generally considered safe and non-toxic. And since it is considered a food, it can also take a while to begin seeing results in your cat's health status. But if you give it to him consistently over a month, you should begin to see improvement, especially in common problems such as attitude, energy, joint mobility, and skin and coat. If after a few weeks you still aren’t noticing any health improvements, you can try increasing the amount of flax you are giving your cat. Flaxseed is a great source of essential fatty acids, especially omega-3. Flaxseed supports a multitude of benefits including, skin and coat quality, healthy digestion, brain function, and energy levels. This superfood provides the perfect nutrients your cat needs. Shop our fresh-ground flaxseed supplements for cats today and start seeing improvements in your cat’s overall health in no time! *This article is for informational purposes only. Please see a vet if your pet shows any symptoms.

References:

https://www.petcurean.com/blog/flaxseed-omega-3-benefits-for-dogs-and-cats/

https://flaxcouncil.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/FlaxFeed-Nutrition-Benefits-final.pdf