Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Paws Across The Prairie: Omega-3 Fatty Acids And Your Pet’s Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids are the healthy fats that you find in fish oil and flaxseed, and perhaps you take omega-3 capsules for cardiovascular health and to moderate inflammation.
But did you know that cats and dogs also need omega-3 fatty acids in their diets? The right balance of fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, can help produce a shiny coat, reduce itching due to allergies, and often ease inflammation of arthritis. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for normal eye and brain development before and after birth, and a healthy heart throughout life.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are named for the location of the last double bond (unsaturation) from the end of the molecules. Omega-6 fatty acids, found in vegetable oil such as soybean, safflower and corn oil, have a double bond six carbons from the end.
For omega-3 fatty acids, this unsaturation is at the third carbon from the end. Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids called eicosapentaenoic acid (20-carbons) and docosahexaenoic acid (22 carbons), whereas plants such as flaxseed have predominantly the 18-carbon omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid.
Animals cannot synthesize alpha-linolenic acid, and although they have some ability to convert 18-carbon fatty acids to 20 and 22-carbons, this process is inefficient compared to absorption of omega-3 fatty acids from the diet.
Unlike omega-6 fatty acids that are pro-inflammatory, omega-3 fatty acids appear to decrease inflammation and cancer growth.
Pet foods traditionally have contained more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids, and some manufacturers now supplement their products with omega-3 fatty acids, typically from flaxseed.
The chia seed (Salvia hispanica), a member of the mint family, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants, and a preparation of Salvia hispanica is approved by the FDA for use in horses. Cold water fish is a source of abundant long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
Interestingly, the fish themselves do not synthesize large quantities of omega-3 fatty acids, but absorb them from the algae they eat. The “fishy” smell in some fish products is due to the oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids, and therefore sufficient intake of anti-oxidants such as vitamin E is important as well.
You might consider the benefits of an omega-3 enriched diet or fatty acid supplements for your pet if it has a dull, dry coat, itchy skin, allergies to inhaled substances or inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, colitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Because high levels of omega-3 fatty acids may be contraindicated in some situations, you should always check with your veterinarian before adding omega-3s to your pet’s diet beyond that found in vet-recommended pet foods.
Healthy eating!
Heartland Humane Society, P.O. Box 585, Yankton, SD, 57078; www.heartlandhumanesociety.net
But did you know that cats and dogs also need omega-3 fatty acids in their diets? The right balance of fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, can help produce a shiny coat, reduce itching due to allergies, and often ease inflammation of arthritis. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for normal eye and brain development before and after birth, and a healthy heart throughout life.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are named for the location of the last double bond (unsaturation) from the end of the molecules. Omega-6 fatty acids, found in vegetable oil such as soybean, safflower and corn oil, have a double bond six carbons from the end.
For omega-3 fatty acids, this unsaturation is at the third carbon from the end. Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids called eicosapentaenoic acid (20-carbons) and docosahexaenoic acid (22 carbons), whereas plants such as flaxseed have predominantly the 18-carbon omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid.
Animals cannot synthesize alpha-linolenic acid, and although they have some ability to convert 18-carbon fatty acids to 20 and 22-carbons, this process is inefficient compared to absorption of omega-3 fatty acids from the diet.
Unlike omega-6 fatty acids that are pro-inflammatory, omega-3 fatty acids appear to decrease inflammation and cancer growth.
Pet foods traditionally have contained more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids, and some manufacturers now supplement their products with omega-3 fatty acids, typically from flaxseed.
The chia seed (Salvia hispanica), a member of the mint family, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants, and a preparation of Salvia hispanica is approved by the FDA for use in horses. Cold water fish is a source of abundant long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
Interestingly, the fish themselves do not synthesize large quantities of omega-3 fatty acids, but absorb them from the algae they eat. The “fishy” smell in some fish products is due to the oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids, and therefore sufficient intake of anti-oxidants such as vitamin E is important as well.
You might consider the benefits of an omega-3 enriched diet or fatty acid supplements for your pet if it has a dull, dry coat, itchy skin, allergies to inhaled substances or inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, colitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Because high levels of omega-3 fatty acids may be contraindicated in some situations, you should always check with your veterinarian before adding omega-3s to your pet’s diet beyond that found in vet-recommended pet foods.
Healthy eating!
Heartland Humane Society, P.O. Box 585, Yankton, SD, 57078; www.heartlandhumanesociety.net
 |
 |
|
| Legislating From The Executive Bench | Plant Exchange: Container Gardening, South Dakota Style |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
Not registered yet?
