Omega fatty acids support dogs' wellbeing in many ways. They help control inflammation and safeguard, among other things, the wellbeing of joints, the gut, the respiratory tract, and the skin. But which omegas does your animal friend need, and where can you get them?
What wellbeing benefits do omegas provide?
The range of benefits from omega fatty acids that are important for the body is quite broad, and they support the wellbeing of the entire body. Fats support the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and provide essential fatty acids that the body cannot produce in sufficient quantities on its own.
One of the most important and most researched health benefits of omega fatty acids is that they help reduce inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial, for example, in the management of osteoarthritis and lameness. By adding an omega-3 fatty acid supplement to the diet, you can both help prevent inflammation-related wear of joint cartilage caused by exertion and also support animals that already have osteoarthritis. Increasing omega-3 fatty acids in the diet has been shown to reduce the need for anti-inflammatory pain medication given for joint pain in dogs with osteoarthritis.
Omega fatty acids also support heart function, enhance digestion, and promote the wellbeing of joints, tendons, skin, and coat. In addition, they maintain the body's normal immune defence, reduce allergies, support good muscle condition, and help recovery after demanding training.
Omega fatty acids can also be useful for breeding animals. In males, sperm quality and motility have been found to increase under the influence of omega-3 fatty acids. In females, omega-3 fatty acids, in turn, reduce inflammatory conditions in the uterus and increase follicle size and improve the viability of the egg and embryo.
Which are the most important omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids have a positive impact on the functioning of the entire body. They keep cell membranes flexible and promote cardiovascular health. In addition, omega-3 helps reduce inflammation—and that is why it is an excellent addition to the diet of animals suffering from joint, gut, skin, or respiratory problems.
The most important members of the omega-3 fatty acid group are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) as well as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
Animals cannot produce the alpha-linolenic acid that is essential for health, but plants can. That is why it is important that dogs get enough of it from their diet.
ALA fatty acid is found in flaxseed, chia, hemp, and fresh grass. Ready-made EPA and DHA fatty acids are found in high concentrations only in fish—which is nature's richest source of EPA and DHA. Please note, however, that fish oil rich in EPA and DHA does not contain ALA fatty acid, which dogs also need.
In addition, a small portion of ALA fatty acid is converted in the body into EPA and DHA. Especially in dogs eating a mixed diet, their production is so small that they need to obtain them from food.
The most important omega-6 is linoleic acid
Omega-6 fatty acids support cardiovascular health. In addition, they support immunity and participate in the body's metabolic processes.
The most important omega-6 fatty acid is linoleic acid (LA), which animals cannot produce themselves. Linoleic acid is especially significant for protecting the skin, because a deficiency causes various skin problems such as dryness and flaking. A lack of linoleic acid can also cause hair loss and increased susceptibility to bacterial and yeast infections.
Linoleic acid functions as one of the skin's fatty acids and helps ensure that the skin's natural protective layer also remains intact from the inside. This, in turn, helps prevent excessive moisture loss and the drying of the skin.
Linoleic acid is abundant in, among other things, grains, oats, hemp and hemp oil, soy, and corn oil—meaning many commercial feeds are often very omega-6-dominant.
Balance the fatty acids
It is worth remembering that even though linoleic acid is important for the body, it also has a downside, because in excessively large amounts it may increase inflammation in the body.
That is why it is important to ensure that your dogs get enough—and in the right proportion—both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from their diet. This keeps the body's fatty acid levels in balance. Omega-3 fatty acids are found especially in chia and flax, while hemp contains more omega-6 fatty acids.
Good sources of omega fatty acids for dogs: Milled Chia Seeds, Hemp oil
