Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for dogs to stay healthy and vibrant. These important “good fats” provide energy and support immune health. However, their bodies don’t make omega fatty acids naturally, so dogs must rely on their diets to provide them. In this article, we’ll explore why omega-3 supplements are so important and how to choose the best one for your dog.
What are omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids support brain function, support heart health, strengthen immune systems, provide joint support, and promote healthy skin and shiny coat. Omega-3s are found in algae, shellfish, cold-water fish like salmon, and some plants like flaxseed.
What are omega-6 fatty acids?
Omega-6 fatty acids are essential to the immune system. They also aid in reproduction, growth, and support metabolism. They are found in grains, including grain-fed animals like chicken, refined oils like sunflower oil, and many processed foods.
Why do dogs need omega-3 supplements?
Omega-6s and omega-3s work together to support the body’s overall health. However, the modern dog’s diet makes achieving this balance difficult. Most commercial dog foods contain too many omega-6s and not enough omega-3s. Supplementing your dog’s diet with additional omega-3 fatty acids helps bridge the nutrition gap left by commercial foods, achieving a balanced ratio for optimal health.
What kind of omega-3 supplement should I give my dog?
Fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. However, not all fish offer the same omega-3 benefits. Cold-water fatty fish like salmon is packed with the most important omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, which helps support heart health, skin and coat, and brain development.
What should I look for when choosing a salmon oil supplement for dogs?
There are number of things to consider when choosing a salmon oil supplement. For example:
1. The supplement’s form.
Salmon oil supplements can come in liquid form, capsules, or chews. Consider the amount of omega-3s in each form and your dog’s preferences.
Chews are generally easy to give, as they act like treats, but often contain lower levels of omega-3s than other forms.
Capsules are less messy than liquids, but many dogs have trouble taking them.
Liquid salmon oil, like Dogswell’s Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil supplement, is pumped onto dogs’ food and mixed in, so it’s very easy to give.
2. The salmon oil’s source.
Look for a salmon oil supplement that uses wild-caught salmon, which contains significantly higher omega-3s than farmed salmon. Farmed fish diets can include vegetable oil, which is a source of omega-6s. Catching fish in the wild is also better for the environment. Fish farms release waste and chemicals into natural waterways and damage ecosystems. If a salmon oil supplement says Atlantic salmon on the label, it’s always farmed. Alaskan salmon oil is always wild-caught, making it better for dogs and better for the environment.
Dogswell’s Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil Supplement is made from sustainably sourced salmon wild-caught off the shores of Alaska. Our salmon oil supplement is easy to absorb and rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are essential to support healthy, itch-free skin, shiny coat, and cardiovascular health. Each bottle contains 1104 mg omega-3s per teaspoon, including long-chain omega-3s EPA and DHA that support healthy cognitive and visual development.
Before starting any new supplementation, it’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian. Although the benefits of salmon oil supplements are widely known, every dog is different, and we all want the best for our best friends!
I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who have dry itchy skin and seem to be forever scratching… until my vet recommended the Algal Plus. The amount of scratching has decreased amazingly! However, I need some more which is why I am here!