Omega 3 for dogs – The ultimate guide

You may have heard about the benefits of omega 3 for your dog. You may have even heard that there are omega 3 supplements and you no longer have to find ways of sourcing the appropriate dog food that is rich in these fatty acids. But what exactly is omega 3 and what are its benefits for your pet?

In this article, we’ll provide an ultimate guide to omega 3 for your canine, so you never have to wonder again.

What is omega 3?

Omega 3 is a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids that have a wide range of health benefits. These fatty acids have single and double bonds, and are great for both animals and humans. The three main omega 3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and alphalenolic acid.

Omega 3 can be found in fish (especially cold water fish, like salmon), flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts and soybeans, among other sources. Both humans and dogs cannot produce their own omega 3, so it is important to give the body this essential nutrient through other means.

Among the omega 3 fatty acids, dogs cannot properly process alphalenolic acid, so they mainly need eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. These can be given through their food or through supplements for dogs.

Source: ivcjournal.com

What are the benefits of omega 3?

Omega 3 has a number of crucial health benefits for your pet.

1. Reduces inflammation

Omega 3 works on a cellular level to reduce inflammation in the skin. This makes it beneficial for skin disorders in your dog, such as early atopy (eczema) and allergies. These skin disorders can be extremely painful and frustrating for your canine, so keeping them under control is essential.

2. Helps with joint inflammation

Omega 3 is also known to help with joint inflammation. This makes it a great preventive/healing supplement for diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, especially among older canines. If you have a senior dog, then omega 3 – along with essential vitamins for dogs – may help them in fighting these diseases. These fatty acids are also known to have helped dogs that have injured their joints or become lame.

3. Helps with cognitive ability

We spend so much time thinking about our dog’s physical exercise that we often ignore how crucial it is to develop our dog’s mental abilities as well. Training your dog’s mental cognitive abilities through tricks, games, and cognitive toys for dogs is important to shaping a healthy and happy dog. Omega 3 helps boost cognitive ability, and takes care of both your canine’s body and mind.

4. Leads to a glossier coat

Omega 3 also improves your dog’s coat, making it thicker, lusher and shinier. A healthy coat means less dry skin and flaky skin, as well as a lower chance of bacterial infections.

How do dogs get their omega 3?

The essential fatty acids that dogs need are omega 3 and omega 6. These are usually considered in balance with each other.

Most food for dogs will have a combination of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids, as it is well known that dogs need these nutrients to remain healthy. Most dog food online and in stores, however, has a higher percentage of omega 6 fatty acids, which means your dog can sometimes be lacking in omega 3.

If this is the case, you can buy omega 3 supplements. Omega 3 supplements usually come in the form of fish oil supplements for your dog, as canines can process this better than flaxseed soil or walnut oil.

Side effects of omega 3

While omega 3 is very healthy for your dog, too much of a good thing can have certain side effects. It’s important to consider the total amount of omega 3 your dog is getting each day, both through their food and through dog supplements. Too much omega 3 can lead to gastrointestinal problems in your pet. These fatty acids also have anticoagulation properties, so they may affect wound healing and could be a problem if your dog is on blood-thinning medication.

Similarly, if your dog is already on anti-inflammatory medication, then the anti-inflammatory properties of omega 3 may compound with this medication to produce negative side effects. It can also affect your pet’s immune function.

How do you know if your dog needs omega 3 supplements?

If you feel your pet may benefit from omega 3 supplements, it’s best to check with your vet about what they recommend. Remember, most dog food has omega 3, so you don’t want to overdose your dog with these fatty acids, even if they are good for them. Everything in nature exists in balance and it’s important to get that balance right.

Another reason why it is important to get your vet’s advice is because you want to look out for what combination of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid is in the omega 3 supplements. This is important to know the overall amount of omega 3 you’re giving your pet. Vets should also be able to recommend supplements from reliable manufacturers that filter their products to remove harmful contaminants like mercury.

As a general rule, whether you buy your dog food online or in stores and whether you buy supplements or simply search for dog food that is rich in fatty acids, omega 3 should be considered as part of a well-balanced nutritional plan. If taken in the right doses, this family of fatty acids can help your dog be healthier, smarter and happier.