| The fatty acids found in fish oil are | | | | problem or condition we are trying to |
| necessary for the normal function of | | | | treat. For dry skin, dull coat hair, |
| various systems of the human, dog's and | | | | seborrhea and other keratinization, |
| cat's body. Our pets can suffer from | | | | supplements high in linoleic acid are |
| some of the same poor health conditions | | | | recommended. For allergies and |
| as humans. It's one thing to give a dog | | | | inflammations, supplements high in EPA, |
| or cat food that will allow them to grow | | | | DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and GLA |
| and stay alive. However, like with | | | | (gamma-linoleic acid) are most |
| humans, it's quite another to find the | | | | effective. |
| perfect balance to improve immune | | | | Deficiencies in fatty acids occur for |
| function, cognition, behavior and | | | | many reasons including overcooking that |
| prevent cancer. Fish oil for our dogs | | | | destroys them. Improper storage or less |
| and pets has many benefits. | | | | than optimal amounts of antioxidants in |
| Dogs and cats need both omega-3 and | | | | dry food may result in rancidity and a |
| omega-6 fatty acids for optimal health. | | | | subsequent deficiency in fatty acids. |
| Studies find omega-3 in fish oil may | | | | Deficiencies also result from disease |
| improve cognitive function in older | | | | where certain enzyme functions are |
| dogs. The Journal of Veterinary Internal | | | | deficient; or by the use of |
| Medicine found that dogs with heart | | | | fat-restricted diets in overweight dogs. |
| failure had lower levels of EPA and DHA | | | | But, fat is needed for energy and to |
| than their healthy counterparts. Those | | | | satiate the dog's appetite. |
| are two of the major benefits of fish | | | | Fats do not affect canines like they do |
| oil that can be given to our dogs and | | | | us when it comes to cholesterol or heart |
| cats. | | | | disease. Fat is indeed necessary for |
| Dogs given fish oil that are prone to | | | | good dog nutrition and is important for |
| thromboembolisms (obstruction of the | | | | energy, skin and coat, kidney health, |
| pulmonary artery or one of its main | | | | heart and to keep inflammation at bay in |
| branches) may be helped by the | | | | the joints. |
| anti-clotting effect on platelets. | | | | If we are looking to buy and do the best |
| Ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal rapid | | | | by our pets, the optimum source for |
| heart rhythms originating in the lower | | | | omega-3s is what we want to know. |
| chambers of the heart) have been | | | | Research is trying to determine the |
| prevented and high blood pressure has | | | | optimal ratios of omega-6 to omega-3. |
| been reduced in dogs supplemented with | | | | Current recommendations are for ratios |
| fish oil rich in omega-3. | | | | of 10:1 to 5:1. The ratios are a |
| EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) may be | | | | guideline; the important EPA and DHA |
| useful in reducing inflammation | | | | omega-3 essential fatty acids are |
| associated with arthritis. Ulcerative | | | | plentiful in salmon fish oil for your |
| colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, | | | | dog or cat. There is no more natural |
| rheumatoid arthritis, and glomerular | | | | place to get them than salmon. Cod liver |
| disease (kidney disease) may respond to | | | | oil is quite different, as it is lower |
| the anti-inflammatory effects of certain | | | | in omega-3 and very high in vitamins A |
| fatty acids, which have also been shown | | | | and D. Unlike plant based omega-3 |
| to be renal protective. | | | | supplements, salmon fish oil is readily |
| Omega-3 fish oil can benefit dogs by | | | | processed by the dog's digestive system. |
| slowing the growth of malassezia, a | | | | A daily supplement of salmon fish oil is |
| yeast infection on the skin and ears in | | | | a must for any cat or dog of any age |
| both dogs and cats. Researchers suggest | | | | with skin or coat problems caused by |
| that fish oil supplements for dogs may | | | | allergies. Giving fish oil to a dog or |
| prevent atopy (allergies to inhaled | | | | cat fortifies them with antioxidants and |
| substances such as pollens and molds). | | | | traces of vitamins that occur naturally |
| Fish oil for dogs and cats has been | | | | in salmon. Actual concentration of EPA |
| shown to reduce the itchiness, redness, | | | | in omega-3 is what's most important. It |
| swelling and hair loss associated with | | | | is recommended that therapeutic trials |
| those dry, raw, hairless patches that | | | | with supplements should last 9-12 weeks. |
| bother our pets. In some animals, fatty | | | | Some pets may develop diarrhea from |
| acids alone can decrease pruritus or | | | | fatty acid supplements. Often, starting |
| inflammation to an acceptable level. | | | | supplementation at a low dose and |
| The choice of a fatty acid supplement | | | | gradually working up to the therapeutic |
| needs to be based on the specific | | | | dose alleviates the problem. |