Essential Fatty Acids
Dogs and cats require omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the diet because they cannot produce these essential fatty acids on their own.
They must be provided in the diet to prevent signs of deficiency. Deficiency of omega-6 fatty acids can cause skin and coat abnormalities, reproductive problems, and failure to thrive.
Most dog and cat diets are naturally VERY HIGH in Omega 6, but low in Omega 3. It is the omega 3 EFA’s that provide the majority of the benefit, hence your vet likely suggesting at one time you take home the fish oil capsules..
But once you learn about all the confirmed benefits of EFA’s, you’ll want to be getting BACK ON the EFA’s…
Where are the Omega 3 EFA’s found?
The omega-3 essential fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6). EPA and DHA are found in plant source ( ie flax), marine sources, including fish oil as well as phytoplankton. ( such as my NEW supplement, KRILL OIL)
7 KEY Benefits..
1. Treatment of inflammatory skin disease Allergic skin disease, dry coat, dandruff, excessive paw licking, chronic scratching and other inflammatory skin conditions have the big potential to benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of the omega 3 fatty acids.
Abstract
Evidence suggests that high-quality diets enriched with essential fatty acids (EFA) and other nutrients can ameliorate canine atopic dermatitis (AD).
2. Treatment of arthritis
The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids are responsible for their therapeutic benefit for dogs with arthritis. In a study of 127 dogs with arthritis, those fed a diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids showed significant improvement in their abilities to rise from a resting position, play and walk1. Prescription diets made specifically for dogs with arthritis are heavily supplemented with fish oil.
3. Omega-3s Can Fight Autoimmune Diseases
In autoimmune diseases, your immune system mistakes healthy cells for foreign cells and starts attacking them- very difficult to treat, and IF your dog has any of these conditions, you should have them on a quality EFA supplement.
Type 1 diabetes is one prime example, in which your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.
Studies in people show that getting enough omega-3s during your first year of life is linked to a reduced risk of many autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, autoimmune diabetes and multiple sclerosis
Omega-3 fatty acids can help fight several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, polyarthtitis, IBD, Lupus.
4. Treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction
Canine cognitive dysfunction is a well-recognized syndrome of older dogs that, in many ways, resembles human dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, has been shown to improve cognitive dysfunction in affected dogs. Interestingly, DHA appears to slow the progression of human dementia and Alzheimer’s disease too.
A study was performed on 142 older dogs with a variety of behavioral abnormalities (disorientation, disrupted sleep patterns, altered interactions with family members, altered activity levels and loss of house training). During the 60-day period, dogs fed a DHA-supplemented food showed significant improvement in every one of these behavior categories.
5. Treatment of heart diseases
Omega-3 fatty acids have a number of potential benefits in dogs and cats with heart disease, such as reducing inflammation and helping to protect against abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia).
Weight loss is a common problem associated with chronic heart failure in dogs. Fish oil has been shown to reduce this profound weight loss. A study was performed on dogs with heart failure, some of who were fed fish oil. The dogs receiving the fish oil supplementation experienced longer survival times and less weight loss compared to those on a fish oil-free diet.
6. Omega-3s May Help Prevent Cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the Western world, and omega-3 fatty acids have long been claimed to reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Interestingly, studies show that people who consume the most omega-3s have up to a 55% lower risk of colon cancer.
Additionally, omega-3 consumption is linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women. However, not all studies give the same results
Omega-3 intake may decrease the risk of some types of cancer, including colon, prostate and breast cancer in people, dogs and cats.
7. Inflammation
Omega-3 Fats And Inflammation
Remember, omega-6 and omega-3 fats work together in your dog and cat to control inflammation. Omega-6 fats raise inflammation while omega-3 fats lower it. If there’s too much omega-6, the hormones that raise inflammation will be turned on and if there’s too much omega-3, there will be immune dysfunction.
Not all inflammation in the body is a bad thing. If your pet is exposed to viruses or bacteria, inflammation brings white blood cells to the joint as an important part of the immune process.
But chronic inflammation – the kind of inflammation that stays for weeks, months and even years – is the cause of most degenerative and inflammatory health issues in your dog/cat, including allergies, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, diabetes, liver or kidney disease and cancer. The Omega 3 may be very beneficial in helping prevent/treat chronic inflammation, and the associated diseases.
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