If you are a pet parent, who is concerned about providing proper nutrition to your pet then this one is for you. Dog nutrition consists of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, proteins etc. All these things help in building up the pet’s body. Talking about fatty acids, there are nearly 70 fatty acids required for a pet’s body functioning. These provide a concentrated source of energy to the canine and play a pivotal role in immune system, neurological development, skin formation and overall health.
Out of the 70 fatty acids, dog’s body can produce most of them on its own while the canine’s body cannot produce few of them. They need to be given additionally in the form of diet source. Fatty acids that need to be supplemented externally are called essential fatty acids. Omega-3 and Omega-6 are essential fatty acids that should be added in a pet’s diet for their proper growth. Deficiency of these nutrients result in dermatitis, hair loss, skin issues and dampened growth.
Benefits of Omega fatty acids:
These acids are highly involved in the production of other fatty acids in the dog’s body. They help in various regenerative functions and are thus required to stop development of various diseases in dogs. EPA and DHA are very important omega-3 fatty acids required for vision and neural development in dogs. AA is an omega-6 fatty acid required for taming down inflammatory diseases in dogs. Combined together these acids give several benefits that are listed as follows.
- Reduces Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder in which the pet suffers from painful and inflammatory joints. Omega-3 fatty acids can actually subside inflammation, stiffness and lameness in the pet’s joints. It will also help in reducing the dosage of the medication given for curing Osteoarthritis. Thus, it will heal the pet’s joints naturally and reduce further damage.
- Controls and prevents skin disorders
Pets suffer from many kinds of skin problems and allergies. Omega-3 fatty acids are especially beneficial in reducing allergies caused due to inhalation of pollens and molds. It also reduces itchiness and inflammation in skin and thus improves the pet’s skin and coat.
- Controls intestinal diseases in dogs
Reasons for inflammatory intestinal diseases in dogs are not well defined but studies have suggested that Omega-3 fatty acids play a big role in reducing the signs of gastrointestinal diseases in dogs. They also promote repair of the intestinal tissues. So, include these fatty acids in the pet’s food and keep your pet’s intestinal problems at bay.
- Prevents cancer in dogs
Omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil can actually improve the effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients. It is also effective in preventing various kinds of cancers in dogs. Just add these acids in your pet’s diet to reduce chances of cancer in dogs.
To sum up, dog nutrition is complete when you add essential fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These acids are necessary for building and nourishing the dog’s body. Pet parents need to incorporate these essential nutrients in the pet’s food to make them healthier. Are you giving these fatty acids to your pet or not?