Omega-6 and omega-3 fats are as vital to your pet’s health as they are to yours. These fatty acids are crucial for many of your pet’s most important tissues and organs — everything from their livers to their skin and coats. Equally as important, essential fats play a significant role in your pet’s ability to fight off most all illness and disease.
Research also indicates that omega-3 fats not only help reduce inflammation throughout the body, they may also prevent heart problems and have the potential to slow the development and spread of certain cancers.
Your dog has a fundamental dietary requirement for healthy ratios of fatty acids that cannot be produced by the body. These fats can only come from your dogs’ diet.
It’s highly likely that your dog has an overload of omega-6 fats in his diet due to the lack of omega-3s found in factory farmed meats. This causes a deficiency of omega-3 fats in your dog that can result in stunted growth, eye problems, muscle weakness, joint problems, a lack of motor coordination, heart problems, and make your dog more prone to illness and disease through immune system dysfunction.
Needless to say, your dog(s) can greatly benefit from additional omega-3s and the best source of omega-3s is fish oils.
Let’s compare three healthful fish oils that your dog can benefit from:
Salmon Oil
The most complete source of natural omega-3s comes from wild Alaskan salmon.
Wild Alaskan salmon spends its life foraging on a natural, nutrient-rich diet. The result is an oil that contains a balanced blend of valuable fatty acids. This oil also has inherent antioxidants and traces of vitamins that naturally occur in wild salmon.
The Benefits of Wild Salmon Oil
- It’s the most complete source of natural omega-3s.
- It contains high levels of DHA and EPA.
- Wild salmon oil supports healthy skin and coat, reduces inflammation and may help prevent cancer.
- It supports nerve-based functions including cognition and vision.
- Wild salmon oil supports a healthy immune system.
Krill Oil
Krill oil has more astaxanthin than any other fish oil.
Wild krill from Antarctica contain high levels of a natural antioxidant called astaxanthin. This antioxidant is what gives krill its deep red color. Antioxidants like astaxanthin have been shown to aid in the elimination of harmful molecules called “free radicals.”
In addition to helping your dog’s body fight free radicals, the natural antioxidants krill oil also help support the health of your dog’s liver, respiratory system, cardiovascular and vascular functions and help maintain good health in all of the body’s cells and tissues.
Pollock Oil
Oil from wild Alaskan Pollock has the highest omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
Pollock oil has an omega-3/6 ratio of around 13 to 14. This is one of the highest ratios in natural fish oils.
This oil helps maintain a healthy coat and skin, inflammation-free joints, a healthy cardiovascular system and is also beneficial to the nervous system and eyes.
Final Thoughts:
- Always buy fish oil from wild fish, not farmed. The health benefits are greatly depleted in farm-raised fish. Additionally, most farm-raised fish are fed food that contains GMOs.
- Allow your pet to benefit from all three of these oils by feeding them rotationally.
- Lastly, not all fish oil is created equal. Quality is key.
There is nothing more important for your pet’s health and longevity than good nutrition. Insuring your dog’s diet includes a proper balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fats can make a tremendous difference in the health of your dog.