For many
years, it has been
believed that by adding
fat to the pet’s diet
you will give your pet a
glossy, shiny hair coat.
Well, that is not
exactly true. Commercial
pet foods can be high in
fats and calories, but
the source of these used
fats contain small
amounts of essential
fatty acids. The
majority of fat content
in pet foods is empty
calories from saturated
and monounsaturated
fats.
Essential fatty acids
are classified as
polyunsaturated fats.
The most common types of
fatty acids are the
omega-6 and omega-3
series of fatty acids.
These two types of fatty
acids cannot be
synthesized by dogs and
cats, and therefore are
considered essential
fatty acids (EFA’s) and
must be supplied in the
pet’s diet.
Essential fatty acids
have an important
function within the body
because they are
required for normal
tissue structure and
function. They are
responsible for the
luster of the normal
hair coat and the
continuity of the skin.
In addition, these fatty
acids are proving to be
effective as a
supportive therapeutic
tool for a variety of
diseases, including
cardiovascular disease,
arthritis, inflammatory
skin diseases, and even
cancer. The enthusiasm
for supplementing the
pet’s diet with these
types of fatty acids is
enhanced since they are
primarily derived from
natural products, such
as vegetable oil, marine
fish oil and flaxseed
oil.
Based on the clinical
research conducted over
the past decade, it has
been learned that there
are differences between
omega-6 fatty acids and
omega-3 fatty acids. For
example, when managing
inflammatory conditions,
it is now known that
omega-6 fatty acids are
pro-inflammatory and
will cause more
inflammation to occur,
whereas omega-3 fatty
acids are
anti-inflammatory and
will minimize the
inflammatory response.
Which is more desirable?
The answer is
obvious…the results
achieved with omega-3
fatty acids. Another
example is that omega-6
fatty acids have been
shown to be
immunosuppressive, which
is not good for young or
older pets, while
omega-3 fatty acids are
not immunosuppressive,
so the pet’s immune
system is supported and
benefits from the use of
omega-3 fatty acids.
Based on this
information and other
clinical research, it is
now known that omega-3
fatty acids are more
beneficial for the pet
and will provide several
benefits for managing a
variety of disease
conditions.
Though both omega-6 and
omega-3 fatty acids are
essential, your pet is
receiving more than
their daily needs of
omega-6 fatty acids in
the commercial food
being fed. This is true
even with pet foods that
claim to have high
dosage levels of omega-3
fatty acids in their
formulation. Therefore,
when selecting a fatty
acid supplement, you
should select a product
that delivers more of
the beneficial omega-3
fatty acids. Using a
supplement that
primarily delivers high
dosage levels of omega-3
fatty acids will provide
the pet with the
benefits discussed
earlier and improve the
pet’s skin and hair
coat.
Supplements can be
purchased online or at
any pet retail outlet.
