Whether you proudly own a loyal dog or a cuddly cat, you'd know that being a responsible pet owner means feeding your furbaby natural, nutritious food. A healthy diet can help your furry companion avoid health problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It also allows them to satisfy their taste buds while improving their energy levels, coat, and overall quality of life.
Although foods with high-quality proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are essential, they may not always be sufficient to nourish your four-legged companion. Therefore, you should give them supplements like Omega-3 fish oils. You can typically find them in healthy products for humans and pets.
If you're ready to give your dog or cat the nutrition they deserve, this article will define Omega-3 fish oils and how they can benefit your pet.
What Is Omega-3?
Omega-3 fish oil fatty acids are essential for pets to consume, specifically Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), which you can find in fish and are beneficial for the heart, brain, and joints. Although small amounts are present in non-fish sources like nuts and seeds, they're not as readily available or easily absorbed by the body.
How Can It Help Dogs and Cats?
Omega-3 helps reduce inflammation, pain, swelling and redness of injured areas by inhibiting pain receptors and improving neuron development. It works along neural pathways and affects cell membranes and the growth of nerve cells. Also, feeding growing puppies and kittens omega-3 fish oils provides optimal amounts of DHA for prime development.
What Are the Types of Long Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Understanding the different types of omega-3 fatty acids can be challenging, especially with the complex terms. This section will differentiate the two kinds of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
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DHA
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties and can improve coat and skin health, reduce shedding and hotspots, and alleviate allergies.
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EPA
Meanwhile, EPA aids in developing brain and eye function in young cats and dogs. It can also benefit pregnant cats and dogs and their offspring.
Is There Evidence Supporting That Omega-3 Fish Oil Can Benefit Pets?
Studies have shown that omega-3 fish oil can provide short-term relief for dogs with osteoarthritis. It can also positively affect pets suffering from various conditions, including allergies, inflamed bowel disease, cognitive issues, dry skin, disorientation, old age, stiff joints, dry coats, and poor nail health.
Although others say that fish oil could limit the development of cancer cells, it's still an unproven hypothesis that requires further investigation.
Omega-3 of Humans, Dogs, and Cats: Is There a Difference?
Although the molecule of EPA and DHA is the same, the body metabolises it differently in humans, dogs, and cats. Your feline friends struggle to convert short-chain fatty acids to long-chain acids. Meanwhile, dogs can, but not very effectively.
Can Omega-3 Fish Oil Harm Your Dog or Cat?
Proportions are necessary, even with natural pet food, water and supplements. Too much fish oil can harm your pet's platelet functions, making it harder for blood clots to form. Over-supplementation can also lead to severe vitamin E deficiency, which can cause near-fatal symptoms. Although there have been only a few cases of this happening, they were all due to excessive fish oil intake.
What to Remember Before Giving Additional Supplements
Before considering additional supplements, you must ensure that your pet receives a balanced diet with a natural source of omega-3. Pet foods with omega-3 fish oil are available, and you should follow dosing instructions and provide pet-specific supplements. Also, consult your veterinarian before starting any new supplements.
Conclusion
Omega-3 fish oils can help your dog or cat get the proper nutrition, but you should also be mindful of the dosage, as over-supplementation can be fatal. You can help your furbaby grow strong and healthy by giving them raw food and consulting your veterinarian before finding supplements.
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