EFAs

Pet Tip of the Month

Dogs Need Healthy Fat!

Does your dog have dry skin, allergies, yeast infections, arthritis, hip dysplasia, inflammatory bowel problems or high blood pressure? Essential fatty acids are a very important supplement to your dog's diet that can significantly improve his or her health. (They are also equally important to human health.)

Essential fatty acids (EFA's) are oils that for the most part the body can not make on it's own and need to be taken in from an outside source. There are two main categories of EFA's, Omega 6 and Omega 3. They are supplied in various concentrations and combinations from fish oils as well as plant sources such as evening primrose, black currant seed, flax seed and borage seed. Dogs and humans alike, need a certain ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fats, for the fats to provide health benefits. For dogs, the ratio is thought to be somewhere between five and ten Omega 6 to one Omega 3. In humans, the ratio is four Omega 6 to one Omega 3. Commercial pet foods contain Omega 6 fat sources but no Omega 3 fats.

You can purchase combination oil supplements from a variety of places to supplement your pet's diet. Within a month you should see some marked improvement in the look and feel of their coat. While fatty acids aren't likely to cure a dog of allergies, they can reduce itching and make the skin suffer less damage from the constant licking and scratching. Fatty acids also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can give your pet relief from conditions such as arthritis, irritable bowel and other colon conditions. The arthritis that results from hip dysplasia can also be helped with fatty acids.

For more information about how fatty acids can be used in your pet's diet, visit PetEducation.com and type the words "essential fatty acids" (no quote marks) in the search box.