Omega-3 Improves Your Pet Health

Fats are a very important component of pet food, which not only provide the needed energy for the pets, but are also the main facilitators of good taste and palatability of the pet food. Specific fatty acids, namely the omega-3 and omega-6 family of fatty acids, are essential nutrients, just like vitamins, that have to be acquired from food sources. In general, dogs and cats have the same need as humans for these fats and essential fatty acids. However, there are differences between humans and dogs and cats. Born with high circulating levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL, the good cholesterol), dogs and cats are not prone to cardiovascular disorders like in humans. Therefore, dogs and cats can tolerate higher amount of fats in the diet (watch out that your pet does not become overweight or obese) and are not so sensitive to saturated fats as long as they can get enough of the essential fatty acids.

Fatty acids consist of a series of carbon atoms that are connected to each other by either a single or a double bond. Fatty acids with two or more double bonds are termed “polyunsaturated fatty acids” (PUFA). Polyunsatured fatty acids include two important series of fatty acids called the omega-3 series (n-3) and omega-6 series (n-6). Because neither the omega-3 nor omega-6 series can be synthesized by dogs and cats, they must be supplied in the diet and are termed “essential” for this very reason. Common dietary sources of omega-6 fatty acids include safflower, soy and corn. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include cold water marine fish and mammals, as well as flax and soy.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) have a number of important functions in the body, especially in maintaining normal skin structure and function. They make up a part of cell membranes, and are also responsible for keeping the skin soft and pliable and adding luster to the hair coat.

Linoleic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) and linolenic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) are essential for both cat and dog, as well as arachidonic acid (an omega 6 fatty acid) for the cat. Linoleic acid is particularly important because it alone provides the necessary conditions to facilitate moisturization of the skin.

The role of EFA’s in the inflammatory process has been well documented. The degree of inflammation appears to be determined by the relative amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Too much omega-6 fatty acid may be promote inflammation while relative increases in omega-3 results in less inflammation.

Dogs are able to synthesize all essential fatty acids from dietary linoleic acid (omega-3) which is usually provided in canine diets. While canned and moist diets usually have adequate levels of linoleic acid (omega-3), levels may fall below optimal requirements in commercial dry foods because of rancidity due to improper or prolonged storage or inadequate levels of antioxidants. To avoid this, dry foods should be stored properly.

Cats require linoleic (omega-3) and arachidonic acids (omega-6) in their diet and most commercial feline diets provide adequate levels to meet their requirements. As is the case with canine dry diets, the amount of linoleic acid (omega-3) may fall below adequate levels if improperly handled. The use of fatty acids as anti-itch and/or anti-inflammatory agents, particularly for allergic disease and chronic itchiness, has been studied extensively in both dogs and cats.