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Ingredient Deep Dive: Omega-3 for Dogs
Did you know that fats boost your dog’s energy around 2.5 times more than protein or carbohydrates? It’s true. They also help to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy.
Omega-3 fatty acids are the best for your dog. In fact, they help with nearly every part of your dog’s body. Omega-3 for dogs is essential for their heart health, healthy brain and vision function, and much more.
Unfortunately, like humans, dogs can’t make their own Omega-3. This means they need to rely on their healthy diet to obtain this essential fatty acid (EFA).
Within this ingredient deep dive, we discover all there is to know about Omega-3 for dogs. Including how they benefit your furry pal and how they can get these important nutrients.
What is Omega-3 for dogs?
Omega-3 for dogs is a really healthy type of fat, part of a group called polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. They are classified into Omega-3 or Omega-6, which are required for your dog to thrive.
Fatty acids such as these help in the absorption of vitamins. They ensure vitamins like A, D, K, and E are transported into the body from the intestine. However, many nutritionists believe commercial dog food contains too much Omega-6 compared to Omega-3. Omega-6 can be found in food like meat products, egg yolk, vegetable oil, and whole grains.
What are the types of Omega-3 for dogs?
The main types of Omega-3 for dogs are:
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
EPA and DHA are the easiest and most practical to get into your dog’s system through their diet. This is because your dog will be able to metabolise and gain the benefits from these fatty acids quickly.
ALA is a little more difficult to obtain. Your dog's body needs to convert ALA into EPA or DHA before it can use it. As you can imagine, this takes more time and isn’t as efficient.
Basically, ALA needs to be combined with EPA or DHA for your dog to feel the full effects.
What are the benefits of Omega-3 for dogs?
Omega-3 for dogs has so many health benefits, that’s why they are such an important addition to their dinners. Some Omega-3 benefits include:
Omega-3 for dogs reduces inflammation in joints which helps with conditions such as arthritis (particularly crucial for senior dogs).
Supports the development of your dog’s brain and ensures cognitive function is healthy.
Promotes supple skin and glossy fur coats.
Contributes to your dog’s good kidney and heart health.
Boosts your dog’s immune system.
Encourages doggy wounds to heal faster.
Helps to manage auto immune conditions.
Reduces any anxiety, depression, or hyperactivity your dog may be experiencing.
Omega-3 for dogs can also decrease triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood and slow down the development of certain cancers. So, as you can see, it’s a crucial ingredient for your dog’s health and wellbeing.
R+R Medicinals via Unsplash
Why is Omega-3 good for puppies?
The world is an exciting place for puppies. So, they love to explore, chew, and sniff anything around them when out on walks. Unfortunately, this means they can be susceptible to picking up germs along the way. A pup’s immune system can’t fight off germs, diseases, and infections as efficiently as an adult dog.
This makes Omega-3 essential for a healthy puppy diet. Omega-3 will boost your pup’s immune system and help them combat the nasty germs they may encounter.
Like we mentioned previously, Omega-3 acids are great for the mind. So of course, this is super beneficial for growing puppy’s and their mental development.
Did you know studies revealed puppies aged 8-52 weeks old with a high Omega-3 diet (especially DHA), performed much better in cognitive tasks and memory games? It’s true! Also, they had better psychomotor skills than puppies who had moderate to low levels of DHA in their dinners.
Lily’s Kitchen Puppy Chicken & Salmon is a complete recipe for puppies to ensure they have the healthiest start in life. It includes all the good nutrients including Omega-3 and Omega-6. Denzels Puppy Bites are also naturally high in Omega-3 and contain all the goodness your puppy needs to thrive.
Why is Omega-3 good for senior dogs?
When your beloved dog reaches their senior years, they may start feeling aches and pains. Arthritis is common in older dogs. This degenerative disease can sadly cause your pooch pain, discomfort, and stiff joints.
The good news is Omega-3 fatty acids can really help with this. As Omega-3 helps battle off inflammation, they can relieve the symptoms of arthritis.
Omega-3 also helps to boost the immune system. Allowing senior dogs to fight away illnesses that would have been detrimental to their health without Omega-3.
Lily's Kitchen do a great Turkey and Trout Senior Recipe that is packed with high levels of joint care supplements. We recommend you check them out for your lovely senior furry pal.
Is my dog getting enough Omega-3?
To ensure that your lovable furry pal is getting enough Omega-3, provide them food or supplements that are full of nutrients including Omega-3 and Omega-6. The best way to go though, is to make sure your dog gets everything they need through their dinners.
Be aware, that many commercial dog foods do not include the right balance of Omega-3 for dogs. This is because they have such a high level of processing that their nutritional value is next to nothing.
The making of the dog food includes a harsh processing method called ‘extrusion’. It is mostly used to produce dry dog food and sucks away all the goodness in your dog’s food. The outcome is that you are left with burnt brown biscuit with hardly any nutritional value.
Omega 3’s are extremely vulnerable to high temperatures. So, it's best to choose dog food that is minimally processed to ensure your dog reaps the benefits.
Even if you opt for raw dog food with no processing involved, your dog could still be missing out on much needed Omega-3’s. Therefore, an option could be adding extra to your dog’s dinner. Oily fish like sardines, anchovies, tuna, salmon, and mackerel contain EPA and DHA. They will also add to the tastiness of your dog’s meal which will result in a happy, content pup!
Please note: We recommend you consult with your vet before making any changes to your dog's diet or giving them supplements
Fish Oil Products: Omega-3 for Dogs
If you have spoken with your vet about the possibility of Omega-3 supplements for your dog, we recommend fish oil such as Salmon Oil Supplement for Dogs that is 100% natural and includes both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
Alternatively, Nuts for Pets also provide a great Salmon Oil option that is full of Omega-3 for dogs, as well as Omega-6 fatty acids. Just simply squirt on your dog’s food to add a load of natural nutrition to their meals.
Shop Salmon Oil
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Omega-3 for dogs from WOOOF
Congratulations, you now know all about Omega-3 for dogs and how it can benefit them. Now it’s time to see if they are currently getting enough Omega-3 in their current mealtimes.
There is no better time to start looking at healthier food options packed with nutritious value. After all, a healthy dog is a happy dog! To get you started, we have included some more of our favourite Omega-3 rich products below.