What Do Fatty Acid Dog Supplements Do? Are They Necessary?

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We’ve talked about Fatty Acid Dog Supplements before and how important they are for the health of your dog. In fact, Fatty Acid Dog Supplements are one of the most popular type of supplements that people give to their dog, and with good reason. Here are some of the top selling fatty acid dog supplements on Amazon:

The Science Behind The Fatty Acids: What Are They?

Fatty acids are molecules that are made up of a chain of atoms, including carbon and oxygen, with a combination hydrogen-oxygen atom on the end. They are polyunsaturated, which means that they have multiple double bonds when it comes to the construction of the atoms and molecules. Since dogs cannot make their own double bonded anything, they have a real need for fatty acids in their diet. Though there are a few essential fatty acids that a dog can produce in his body, there are many that he cannot. Also, there are some diseases and disorders that prevent a dog from producing any fatty acids, so this is where a good supplement can help.

In the video below, Dr. Karen Becker talks about essential fatty acids…

The Many Benefits Of Fatty Acids

Now that the science lesson is over, let’s move on to the many ways in which Fatty Acid Dog Supplements can benefit your dog. The main health benefit that fatty acids can provide to your canine companion is an anti-inflammatory effect. Believe it or not, fatty acids are one of the most well-researched and commonly used supplements in all of animal and human medicine. For this reason, they are recommended quite a bit depending on ailment and need. The following conditions have been treated successfully, or been improved, by using fatty acids:

Kidney function
Lymphoma
Allergies
Heart disease
Arthritis and osteoarthritis
Skin conditions
Dry coat
Eye disorders
Allergies
Autoimmune disorders
Constipation
Irritable bowel disease
Diabetic neuropathy
Inhibition of tumor growth
Hyper-excitability disorders

That’s a pretty long list and yet there are still plenty of other disorders out there that Fatty Acid Dog Supplements can treat.

More Fatty Acid Science: How Do They Work?

When it comes to fatty acids and their function, the list includes important omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 includes Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which are all full of anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-6 includes Linolenic acid (LA), Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), and Arachidonic acid (AA). LA optimizes the ability of water to permeate the skin, while AA is a troublemaker.

Both EPA and AA are found in a cell membrane, and when a cell is damaged, AA is released and starts to cause trouble in the form of itching and inflammation. Luckily, this is when DHA, DGLA, and EPA jump in and work to decrease the effects of AA. It’s amazing, but all of the omega fatty acids can make a huge difference in how your dog feels by working together to reduce inflammation wherever it is on, or in, the body.

Where To Find These Amazing Acids

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in foods such as:

Fish (such as salmon)
Flaxseed oil
Pumpkin seeds
Soybean oil
Sunflower oil
Safflower oil
Walnut oil
Canola oil
Evening primrose oil
Black currant seed oil

As you can see, oils are the main carrier for these omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. But how often do you want to give your pup a spoon of oil? And what are the chances that she’d actually eat it? That’s where Fatty Acid Dog Supplements can help.

Fatty Acid Dog Supplements

There are many forms of Fatty Acid Dog Supplements that are easy to give and easy for them to enjoy. They come in chews, such as:

Tablets and soft gels like:

Or oils:

Finding one that you and your dog can agree on should be a rather easy task as most of these are made with flavors that dogs are naturally attracted to.

Store Your Fatty Acid Dog Supplements Properly

Some things to remember about fatty acids is that an overdose can cause problems, such as gastrointestinal upset, blood clotting, delayed wound healing, and compromised immune system. Keep your Fatty Acid Dog Supplements is a place away from your pup so he can’t get himself into trouble with eating too many at one time. And though Fatty Acid Dog Supplements can be used to help treat all of the problems we’ve listed above, they are not always a form of stand-alone therapy. Be sure that you take care to manage your dog’s disorders or illness with care and input from your veterinarian.

When using fatty acids, it is of utmost importance that you remember that since they are an oil compound, they can go rancid if not stored properly. Many times it is advised that they be kept in the refrigerator or a cool place, but with most Fatty Acid Dog Supplements you receive, the label should describe the best storage method for freshness.

Fatty Acids In Good Dog Food

There are many dog food brands on the market today that contain ingredients that are extremely good for your dog. Many of them contain fish oils, flax or sunflower oils, canola oil, or pumpkin seeds. Looking at the label will give you the best insight as to what you’ll find in the bag. High quality dog food manufacturers will include more of what your dog needs, and less of what he doesn’t. Some great brands to try that will meet the fatty acid needs of your pooch include:

Taking good care of your dog means taking good care of her health. Including important Fatty Acid Dog Supplements in her diet will keep her healthy and strong for years to come.