Neurological Supplements For Cats

chowwhisperer

Just fell down a rabbit hole on “neuro-support” nutrients for cats and now I’m obsessed with building a safe, evidence-based brain-health plan for senior kitties. I’m not trying to treat a medical condition-more like healthy brain aging, resilience after stress/illness, and keeping play/curiosity high. Has anyone explored these?

Omega-3 personalization: Has anyone run a feline omega-3 index (RBC EPA+DHA) test and then adjusted diet/supplements based on results? Did you actually see behavior or mobility/cognition changes once the index moved? Also, any luck with algae-based DHA for cats that refuse fish oils?
MCTs for brain energy: In dogs there’s some evidence MCTs can help cognition. Any real-world feline experiences with MCT-containing diets or small MCT additions? Did it affect appetite, stools, or activity? Total anecdote-welcome, but curious about vet feedback too.
Phosphatidylserine or SAMe: These pop up in canine cognitive support. Are there veterinary-formulated versions for cats that anyone’s vet has recommended? What changes did you notice (sleep-wake cycle, vocalization at night, interaction with toys/puzzles)?
Methylcobalamin vs “general B12”: For diabetic neuropathy I’ve seen people swear by methylcobalamin. Has anyone used it more broadly for nerve support in older cats with no diabetes? Any measurable differences in gait, jumping, or litter box posture over time?
Gut-brain angle: Specific strains like Bifidobacterium longum (often used in “calming” products) or L. rhamnosus-did they change stress behaviors or “mental clarity” in your cats? I’m curious whether calmer = better learning/play, or if it just makes them sleepy.
Choline and “Kennedy pathway” nutrients: In human memory research, there’s a choline + DHA + uridine combo for synapse support. Obviously cats aren’t tiny humans, but has any veterinary nutritionist commented on analogous feline-safe approaches or diets naturally higher in these precursors?
How to measure “better brain days”: What simple at-home tests do you use to track changes? Ideas I’ve seen: timed food puzzles, novel object interest, hiding-and-finding treats, or mapping night vocalization frequency.
Safety red flags to keep front and center: I learned alpha-lipoic acid is a no-go for cats. Any other “sounds-brainy-but-bad-for-cats” ingredients to avoid? Also curious about fat-soluble vitamin overload, herbals with feline metabolism issues, or interactions with common meds.

If you’ve tried any of the above, how did you:

choose products (pet-targeted vs human-grade),
judge quality/purity,
and get your vet on board?

Would love studies, case reports, or just carefully observed experiences. The omega-3 testing and the gut-brain strain specificity seem especially promising-has this been working for anyone here?

mealtimemom

Quick datapoints from tinkering with my seniors:

Omega-3 index: I used the OmegaQuant pet RBC test. One cat went from 2.4% to 5.3% after 8 weeks on algal DHA (about 80-100 mg/day mixed into stinky wet food/Churu). Noticed more toy-chasing and smoother jumps around week 4. My vet’s comfort zone was “mid-single digits,” not pushing super high. Anyone here gone >6% in cats and seen pros/cons?
Algal DHA: More accepted than fish oil here. I rotate oils, keep them refrigerated, and ask for a COA (peroxide/TOTOX) to avoid rancidity.
MCTs: Tiny amounts of C8/C10 oil (not coconut oil) seemed to bump daytime activity a bit, but >¼ tsp caused soft stools. I’d start at ⅛ tsp with a fatty meal and avoid in pancreatitis-prone cats. If anyone found a commercial feline diet with meaningful C8/C10, I’m all ears.
SAMe/PS: Novifit (SAMe) and Senilife (phosphatidylserine blend) are the two I’ve actually seen used for cats. In ours, night vocalization and aimless pacing eased after ₂-3 weeks; nothing dramatic, but sleep was better.
B12: Methylcobalamin helped most when the cat’s serum B12 was low-normal (likely GI-related). We saw nicer sit-to-stand and cleaner jumps after ₃-4 weeks. If B12 is normal, I haven’t seen much change.
Gut-brain: Purina Calming Care for cats (B. longum BL999) made them calmer without sedating-more focus with puzzles. L. rhamnosus GG didn’t move the needle here. FortiFlora helped stools but didn’t change “clarity.”
Choline/uridine idea: I stayed conservative-complete senior diets with higher DHA/choline (e.g., RC Aging 12+, Hill’s Senior Vitality, Pro Plan Prime Plus) rather than DIY uridine.
Tracking: 2-minute wand-toy pounce count, 60‑sec treat-find under cups, and a night-cam yowl count per week. Easy, repeatable.
Red flags I keep on my “nope” list: alpha‑lipoic acid, 5‑HTP, ginkgo, vinpocetine, huperzine A, concentrated green tea extracts, essential oils; also watch vitamin A/D from liver/cod‑liver products. For fish oils, verify heavy metals and oxidation; for supplements, I look for NASC seal or human USP/NSF.

For vet buy‑in: one change at a time, clear goals + timeline, bring product labels/COAs. Curious if anyone’s vet is actively using omega‑3 index targets in cats, and whether higher targets changed platelet function or wound healing at all.