Essential Fatty Acid Supplements For Dogs

Omega 6 is the only fatty acid that can withstand the high heat in which dry commercial dog food is processed.

Essential fatty acid supplements for dogs.

It s polyunsaturated fat meaning that our furry friends are not physiologically capable of making their own. Essential fatty acids for dogs include omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids. Key omega 3 fatty acids are alpha linolenic acid ala eicosapentaenoic acid epa and docosahexaenoic acid dha. Essential omega 6 fatty acids include linoleic acid la gamma linolenic acid gla dihomo gamma linolenic acid dgla and arachidonic acid aa.

However dogs are not very good at transforming ala into either epa or dha. Essential fatty acids or efas are those fatty acids that a species requires that it can t make from other sources. Omega rich food supplements are particularly effective when it comes to helping your dog s dry skin. Fatty acids are further grouped into categories including omega 3 and omega 6 each with its own specific biochemical structure.

Omega 3 and omega 6 in dog food. A prospective randomized double blind placebo controlled evaluation of the effects of an n 3 essential fatty acids supplement agepi ω3 on clinical signs and fatty acid concentrations in the erythrocyte membrane hair shafts and skin surface of dogs with poor quality coats prostaglandins leukot essent fatty acids. Omega 3 controls hormones that aid the immune system. Omega 3 and omega 6 are mostly found in fish oils especially in those from cold water fatty fish such as salmon mackerel tuna herring and sardines.

Essential fatty acids are not only beneficial for humans but for dogs too. Vegetable oils including flaxseed oil canola oil walnut oil and soybean oil can provide dogs with another omega 3 fatty acid called alpha linolenic acid ala which is a precursor to epa and dha. Omega 6 fatty acids are good supplements for conditions such as allergies diabetes osteoporosis cancer high blood pressure and heart disease. Essential fatty acid supplementation has been used in the management of sebaceous adenitis in some dogs in conjunction with topical shampoos as this approach is likely to be safer than using immunomodulating drugs that could have adverse effects.

As such dogs rely on their food to get this essential fatty acid. Omega 3 fatty acid is a type of fat that has numerous health benefits both for canines and humans. By choosing omega 3 6 supplements for dogs you ensure that your dog will receive the necessary essential fatty acids. You can also find efas in nuts and seeds such as flax seed chia seeds and walnuts and in plant oils including flax seed oil rapeseed oil and sunflower oil.