Herring Oil
Our ingredient score: 5 / 5 · Fish or algae oil · How We Score
Herring oil is a fish oil rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These fatty acids support skin and coat health and help reduce inflammation. DHA matters for brain and eye development in kittens. Omega-3s are thought to support joint and kidney health in older cats. Because the oil comes from a named fish, it also gives confidence in its quality.
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Common Questions
Why does it matter that the fish oil is named?
When an oil comes from a named fish like herring, you know its source, which gives more confidence in its quality than a generic fish oil.
Is herring oil safe for cats?
Herring oil is oil from herring, a small oily fish of the North Atlantic and North Pacific, and it supplies the omega-3s EPA and DHA. Herring is on the FDA and EPA Best Choices list of fish lower in mercury, which is advice written for people rather than pets. Owners of a cat with a medical condition should ask their veterinarian about its food.
Source: fda.gov
Why is herring oil in cat food?
Herring oil supplies the omega-3s EPA and DHA, along with fat calories and fish flavor. Tufts veterinary nutritionists say EPA and DHA come from cold water ocean fish, fish oils, algae or krill, and that cats cannot make them from the plant omega-3 ALA. Herring is an oily ocean fish, so its oil is a direct source of both.
Source: sites.tufts.edu
Is herring oil the same as cod liver oil?
No. Herring oil comes from the body of the herring, while cod liver oil is pressed from cod livers. Both carry EPA and DHA. Liver oils, though, also carry far more of the fat-soluble vitamins A and D than body oils such as herring oil, so the two are not interchangeable in a recipe or as a supplement.
Is herring oil better than salmon oil for cats?
Pettings scores both oils 5 out of 5. Both come from oily fish that supply EPA and DHA, and both herring and salmon are on the FDA and EPA Best Choices list of fish lower in mercury. The exact omega-3 content depends on the oil and how it was processed, so a guaranteed analysis that lists omega-3s is the closest thing to a direct comparison.
Source: fda.gov
How does Pettings score herring oil?
Pettings scores herring oil 5 out of 5 and lists it as a fish or algae oil. We found it on 4 of the 149 dry cat foods in our list. The ingredient score is separate from a food's overall score, which you can see on each food's page.
How Foods With Herring Oil Compare
Herring Oil is on the label of 4 of the 149 dry cat foods we list.