Fish oil dosage for cats calculator explained
Omega-3 (EPA + DHA) requirements for cats are typically prescribed as mg per kg of body weight, with maintenance allowances near 40 mg/kg/day and therapeutic dermatology or renal plans reaching 75-100 mg/kg/day. This calculator multiplies the chosen mg/kg rate by your cat's weight, then divides by a product's EPA+DHA content so you know how many capsules or milliliters to give.
How the conversion works
Let be the cat's weight (kg) and the dose rate (mg/kg). The daily target is
If a capsule or liquid provides mg EPA+DHA, the required servings per day are . You can also solve for any variable (e.g., the product strength needed to keep dosing once per day).
Units and conversions
| Quantity | Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | kg, lb | Pounds convert to kg by dividing by 2.20462. |
| Dose rate | mg/kg | Select ranges recommended by your veterinarian. |
| Product strength | mg per capsule or mL | Use the sum of EPA + DHA on the label, not total fish oil volume. |
| Servings/day | capsules, mL | Output can be fractional; round according to veterinary advice. |
Worked examples
- Maintenance allowance
An 8.8 lb (4.0 kg) cat receives 40 mg/kg/day per NRC guidelines with a 300 mg capsule.
Servings per day capsules; give half a capsule daily or one capsule every other day per veterinary guidance.
- Therapeutic dermatology plan
A 5.5 kg cat needs 75 mg/kg/day using a high-strength 1,000 mg EPA+DHA capsule.
Servings per day , so roughly two capsules per week.
Tips and pitfalls
- Base dose rates on clinical goals: maintenance (~40 mg/kg), dermatology (~75 mg/kg), renal or arthritis plans often go higher under veterinary supervision.
- Count only EPA + DHA on the label; other fatty acids do not contribute to the target.
- Split capsules into multiple meals to reduce gastrointestinal upset and fishy burps.
- Monitor for contraindications such as anticoagulant therapy or pancreatitis history before supplementing.