February is American Heart Month! This is a good time to think about not only your cardiovascular health, but that of your dogs, too. Did you know that the very same omega-3 fatty acids that help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy and shiny are also good for his heart? For this reason, many pet experts recommend adding fish oil to your dog’s diet.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inflammation
Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fats, or polyunsaturated fats, considered essential nutrients for health. This means the body cannot make them on its own and they must be obtained from foods. The most common source of omega-3 fatty acids is fish, like salmon, tuna, sardine, and halibut. Some non-fish foods are also rich in these healthy fats, such as algae, nut oils, and some plants.1
There is a great deal of scientific research that shows the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Research in dogs with inflammatory skin conditions has clearly demonstrated that supplementing fish oil decreases the inflammatory components in both white blood cells and the skin of these dogs. In dogs with dermatitis, proper nutrition with additional omega-3 intake improved skin condition and itchiness with good to excellent results.
For years researchers have also known that omega-3 fatty acids are good for the heart.2 The connection between fatty acids and heart health may very well be the affect these fats have on reducing inflammation. Inflammation in the body can damage blood vessels and lead to heart disease.3 The two omega-3 fatty acids associated with cardiovascular benefit are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).
Dog Foods May Not Contain Enough Omega-3 Fatty Acids
While many dog foods provide enough fat as a whole, the balance between essential omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is not always taken into account. Omega-6 fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, are relatively abundant in the ingredients typically used to add healthy fats to pet foods. However, necessary levels of omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are less common in pet food because the combination of these two together occurs in significant concentrations only in marine oil sources.
If a pet food is made from high levels of fish protein it will naturally contain sufficient levels of the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. However many dog foods derive protein from other sources, such as beef, chicken, and duck. These foods may not contain sufficient levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, so many pet parents choose to add fish oil to their dog’s diet.
Supplementing with CoatPlus®
CoatPlus™ by Arenus is a nutritional supplement that will supply your dog with the daily recommended allowance of omega-3 fatty acids in a convenient, soft-gel capsule. This high-quality, concentrated fish oil is an excellent source of EPA and DHA. CoatPlus also provides the additional vitamin E that is nutritionists generally recommend when consuming fatty acids. For more information on CoatPlus, please visit www.arenus.com/.
1. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm#ixzz1lcQJL0dv
2. Wang, C; Harris WS, Chung M, Lichtenstein AH, Balk EM, Kupelnick B, Jordan HS, Lau J (July 2006). "n−3 Fatty acids from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not alpha-linolenic acid, benefit cardiovascular disease outcomes in primary- and secondary-prevention studies: a systematic review". Am J Clin Nutr 84 (1): 5–17. PMID 16825676.
3. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/omega-3/HB00087