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