Because of their complexity and importance we have included a separate article just on fatty acids. For this article I will stick to the very basics. Fatty acids work in the skin to help reduce the amount and effects of histamine that is released in response to allergies. Not every allergic pet responds to fatty acids. Some pets show improvements, others have a complete cure and others show no change after being on the fatty acids.
Cats respond very well to fatty acids.
Most pets need to be on the fatty acids daily for several weeks to months to notice significant improvement. Fatty acids are very safe and have very few side effects. Studies show that when fatty acids are used in conjunction with other treatments such as antihistamines and biotin their effects can be enhanced and the number of animals that show positive results increases. Because of their safety and effectiveness, supplemental fatty acids such as Drs. Foster and Smith Vitacaps should be part of every treatment plan for atopy.