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