Benefits of Omega-3 for Dogs and Pets

Benefits of Omega-3 for Dogs and Pets

Are omega-3s good for dogs? The short answer is yes! Omega-3 fatty acids are not only beneficial for humans but also for our furry friends.

As pet owners, we strive to provide our furry companions with the best possible care and nutrition. One crucial element that often gets overlooked in a dog's diet is omega-3 fatty acids. These powerful nutrients offer a myriad of health benefits that can significantly enhance your pet's overall well-being.

From supporting cognitive function to promoting healthy skin and coat, omega-3s are a true superfood for our beloved canine companions.

Read on as we share more on the remarkable benefits of omega-3 for dogs and pets.

Benefits of Omega-3s for Dogs and Pets

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that play a vital role in various bodily functions and overall health. These healthy fats are considered "essential" because they cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through diet or supplementation.

Omega-3 fatty acids include:

 

  • Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)

  • Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

For our furry friends, omega-3s are crucial for maintaining optimal well-being. These fatty acids support brain development, promote healthy-looking skin and coat, support a healthy inflammatory response, enhance joint health, and support a healthy immune system.

Incorporating omega-3s into your dog's diet can have a profound impact on their quality of life, helping them to stay active, alert, and vibrant throughout their lives.

Let's explore the key benefits of omega-3s for pets in detail:

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Benefits of Omega-3s for Dogs’ Brain Health

The brain is a complex organ that requires proper nourishment to function optimally.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important building blocks for the brain and help support its structural integrity. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in particular, is highly concentrated in the brain and is essential for healthy brain development and function in dogs of all ages.

DHA omega-3 supports the formation of neural pathways and synapses, enhancing communication between brain cells. This can support enhanced memory, learning capabilities, and overall cognitive performance.

Additionally, omega-3s have been shown to support dogs with cognitive decline associated with aging, helping to maintain mental sharpness and alertness even in their golden years [1] [2].

By incorporating omega-3s into your pet's diet, you can help ensure optimal brain development and function, fostering a sharp and responsive companion throughout their lifetime.

Related: Omega-3 DHA as a Nootropic Supplement for Brain Health 

Support Joint Health

As our furry friends age, joint health becomes a significant concern. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to support a healthy inflammatory response, which can promote joint mobility and overall comfort [3] [4].

By incorporating these essential fatty acids into your dog's diet from an early age, you can help support their agility and active lifestyle, allowing them to enjoy their favorite activities without discomfort.

Related: Benefits of Omega-3s for Joint Health 

Benefits of Omega-3s for Pets’ Immune Health

Another key benefit of omega-3s for dogs is their positive impact on supporting immune health. A strong immune system is crucial for your dog's natural ability to fight off unwanted organisms/compounds and maintain overall health.

Omega-3s for pets play a significant role in supporting immune function by modulating the activity of various immune cells and supporting a balanced inflammatory response, which is essential for proper immune function [2] [5] [6] [7].

Support Healthy Cardiovascular Function

Just like in humans, cardiovascular health is essential for dogs. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to support healthy heart function and promote optimal cardiovascular well-being in our canine companions [8] [9].

These nutrients help promote healthy blood pressure levels by supporting the healthy production of compounds that affect blood vessel constriction and dilation. Omega-3s also support healthy cholesterol levels, promoting a balanced lipid profile.

As mentioned earlier, omega-3s for pets also support a balanced inflammatory response within the cardiovascular system.

Regular exercise and omega-3 supplementation can go a long way in supporting your furry friend's cardiovascular health, promoting longevity and an active lifestyle.

Related: Omega-3 Heart Benefits – How Algae Oil DHA Supports Cardiovascular Health 

Promote Healthy-Looking Skin and Coat

One of the most visible benefits of Omega-3 for pets is their positive impact on skin and coat health [6]. These nutrients play a crucial role in supporting the integrity of cell membranes, which can result in a shiny, lustrous coat and healthy-looking skin [10].

By providing your dog with an adequate supply of omega-3s through their diet or supplementation, you can help them achieve a radiant, healthy coat and skin.

Maintaining an Ideal Omega-3: Omega-6 Ratio

While both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for your dog's health, it's crucial to maintain a balanced ratio between the two.

In general, commercial dog food is high in omega-6 and rather low in omega-3. This imbalance can lead to an unhealthy inflammatory state within the body, potentially contributing to various health issues.

To achieve an optimal omega-3: omega-6 ratio, it's important to supplement your dog's diet with a high-quality omega-3 source.

Related: How to Optimize Your Omega-3: Omega-6 Ratio

Best Omega-3 Supplement for Dogs

When it comes to choosing the best omega-3 supplement for your furry friend, Ascent Nutrition's Algae Oil DHA stands out as a top-quality option. This supplement is made from algae, which is nature's superior source of DHA.

Ascent Nutrition's Algae Oil DHA is free from contaminants and heavy metals often found in fish-based omega-3 supplements. This ensures that your pet receives a pure and safe source of essential fatty acids, without the risk of exposure to harmful substances.

Additionally, it's a vegan-friendly option, making it suitable for pet owners who follow plant-based diets or have ethical concerns about using fish-derived products.

For a quick recap, incorporating Ascent Nutrition's Algae Oil DHA into your dog's diet can provide a wide range of benefits, including:

  • Promoting healthy cognitive function and brain development

  • Supporting healthy joint mobility and flexibility

  • Supporting a balanced inflammatory response

  • Enhancing immune system function

  • Supporting cardiovascular health

  • Promoting healthy-looking skin and coat

This high-quality supplement is easy to administer and can be added to your pet's regular food.

By choosing Ascent Nutrition's Algae Oil DHA, you can be confident that you're providing your furry companion with a reliable and effective source of omega-3 fatty acids, supporting their overall health and well-being from the inside out.

Visit the product page for more details, including the veterinarian-suggested use of omega-3s for dogs and cats.

Reference

  1. Pan, Y., Landsberg, G., Mougeot, I., Kelly, S., Xu, H., Bhatnagar, S., ... & Milgram, N. W. (2018). Efficacy of a therapeutic diet on dogs with signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS): a prospective double blinded placebo controlled clinical study. Frontiers in nutrition, 5, 127: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6299068/

  2. Zicker, S. C., Jewell, D. E., Yamka, R. M., & Milgram, N. W. (2012). Evaluation of cognitive learning, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal functions in healthy puppies fed foods fortified with docosahexaenoic acid–rich fish oil from 8 to 52 weeks of age. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 241(5), 583-594: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22916855/

  3. Mehler, S. J., May, L. R., King, C., Harris, W. S., & Shah, Z. (2016). A prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on the clinical signs and erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in dogs with osteoarthritis. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 109, 1-7: https://www.plefa.com/article/S0952-3278(15)30053-3/fulltext

  4. Roush, J. K., Dodd, C. E., Fritsch, D. A., Allen, T. A., Jewell, D. E., Schoenherr, W. D., ... & Hahn, K. A. (2010). Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 236(1), 59-66: https://vrshealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/O3-and-OA-in-dogs.pdf

  5. E. A. Gurzell, H. Teague, M. Harris, J. Clinthorne, S. R. Shaikh, J. I. Fenton. DHA-enriched fish oil targets B cell lipid microdomains and enhances ex vivo and in vivo B cell function. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2012; 93 (4): 463 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0812394

  6. Witzel-Rollins, A., Murphy, M., Becvarova, I., Werre, S. R., Cadiergues, M. C., & Meyer, H. (2019). Non-controlled, open-label clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of a dietetic food on pruritus and dermatologic scoring in atopic dogs. BMC veterinary research, 15(1), 1-10: https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-019-1929-2

  7. Biagi, G., Mordenti, A., & Cocchi, M. (2004). The role of dietary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the nutrition of dogs and cats: a review. Progress in Nutrition, 6, 97-107: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272784328_The_role_of_dietary_omega-3_and_omega-6_essential_fatty_acids_in_the_nutrition_of_dogs_and_cats_A_review

  8. Freeman, L. M., Rush, J. E., Kehayias, J. J., Ross Jr, J. N., Meydani, S. N., Brown, D. J., ... & Roubenoff, R. (1998). Nutritional alterations and the effect of fish oil supplementation in dogs with heart failure. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 12(6), 440-448: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1998.tb02148.x

  9. Smith, C. E., Freeman, L. M., Rush, J. E., Cunningham, S. M., & Biourge, V. (2007). Omega‐3 fatty acids in Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 21(2), 265-273.11: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2007.tb02959.x

  10. Logas, D., & Kunkle, G. A. (1994). Double‐blinded crossover study with marine oil supplementation containing high‐dose icosapentaenoic acid for the treatment of canine pruritic skin disease. Veterinary Dermatology, 5(3), 99-104: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-3164.1994.tb00020.

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