From improved joint function and mobility to a glossy coat and proper immune system functioning, it's important to ensure your pup gets enough Omega-3 fatty acids in its diet. As dogs don't produce this nutrient, it's essential for owners to source the nutrients either through a dietary supplement or food. So, have you checked to ensure that your dog is getting the necessary Omega-3s they need?
What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 essential fatty acids are critical for your pet's skin and coat health. Not only do they provide the cells with structure, but also boast anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help protect against damage from outside elements.
Fats are important to a dog's nutrition, but not all fats are created equal. Some simply provide energy, while others are closely related to the health of our four-legged friends. All nutritional fats contain fatty acids, which can be divided into two main groups: omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-3 fatty acids consist of Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, is vital for all animals to stay in good health. Other essential fatty acids for dogs are ALA and/or EPA and DHA, all of which are omega-3s. Research has shown that EPA and DHA are the most effective when looking at health benefits. While dogs can metabolize limited amounts of ALA into EPA and DHA, this process is not very efficient. Therefore, boosting your dog's diet with omega-3 fatty acids high in bioavailable EPA and DHA is recommended.
Six Benefits of Omega-3's for Your Dog's Skin Health
Healthy Moisture Balance
Supplementing your dog with omega-3 fatty acids can be incredibly helpful for those that suffer from inflammatory disorders like allergies or atopy. These conditions are incredibly itchy and can even cause hair loss if left untreated. Supplementing your pup with omega-3 can help reduce itchiness and improve their skin health, leading to a shinier coat and fewer issues with shedding, dandruff, and discomfort. Not only that, studies have also shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the over reactivity of a dog's immune system, leading to further improvements in their coat character and reducing the risk of them developing other conditions due to excessive itching.
Seasonal Allergies
Omega-3 fatty acids can help lessen inflammation caused by allergies or other skin issues. This may reduce itching, redness, and irritation, leading to a healthier coat that stays free of discomfort. A deficiency of essential fatty acids can cause dry, scaly skin, making your pet shed more and appear dull. Further, it can be itchy and cause your pup to itch, scratch, and chew in an attempt to relieve the irritation. Unfortunately, this risks allowing bacteria to penetrate the skin barrier and develop hot spots - painful areas that will make them even more uncomfortable unless treated. Supplementing your pup's diet with omega-3 fatty acids helps reduce inflammation causing the itch while promoting healing of any breaks in the skin they've already opened.
Strengthens Skin Barrier
Omega-3s are known for their ability to strengthen the skin barrier, helping to protect it from external environmental factors like UV rays and other potential irritants. This helps keep your dog's skin strong and healthy despite exposure to outdoor elements.
Promotes Hair Growth
Omega-3s have been shown to promote hair growth in mammals, making them especially beneficial for dogs with thinning coats or bald patches due to aging or health reasons.
Improves Shine & Softness
Omega-3 fatty acids are known for improving the shine and softness of fur, making it look healthier and more vibrant. In addition, Omega-3 fatty acids help moisturize your dog's skin, which may help reduce shedding, prevent dandruff and lessen itchiness.
Supports Overall Health
Omega-3's also provide a wide range of additional health benefits, from improved joint mobility to reducing the risk of cancer and other diseases.
How to Know if My Dog has Low Deficiency?
As every pup has different nutritional needs, it can be difficult to determine a low or high deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids. There's no single symptom to indicate an omega-3 deficiency in your dog, but you should look out for signs such as dull or dry coat, hair loss, obesity, eye problems, poor wound healing, or muscle weakness. If your pet is displaying any of these symptoms, speak with a veterinarian to see if a supplement may be helpful.
Can you give your dog human omega-3?
Giving your dog human omega-3 supplements is generally not recommended, as the amount of EPA and DHA in these products can be too low for dogs. The best option is to look for a high-quality pet supplement with adequate levels of EPA and DHA tailored to your pup's needs.
Moreover, if you consider giving your pup human omega-3 supplements, remember that they usually come in fish oil. This oil has a strong fishy smell that may linger in your home and your pet's breath. Additionally, your dog might not find fish oil taste particularly pleasing. Finally, watch out for potential side effects, such as diarrhea caused by the fish oil.
5 Pet Honest Products with Omega-3 for Dogs
Omega 3 Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
This product is made with pure Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon Oil, designed to promote healthier skin, coats's and joints in dogs. Notable benefits include support of normal and healthy inflammatory pathways, healthy digestion, and overall well-being. It also promotes skin and coat health, joint health, and comfort. Lastly, it reinforces a healthy immune system.
Omega-3 Fish Oil
This 100% natural fish oil for dogs is sourced from sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and herrings caught in clean and cold waters off the coast of Iceland. These fish are packed with Omega-3s and contain low levels of mercury and toxins to benefit your dog's joints, heart, skin, coat, brain, and overall health. The high concentration of DHA, EPA, and other Omega-3s found in this fish oil will help support healthy skin and a lustrous coat.
Skin Health Omega 3-Pack
These vet-recommended skin and coat chews are specially formulated to promote glossy coat and healthy skin and soothe skin-related issues such as those associated with seasonal allergies or dry climates. Incorporating Omega-3s from various sources ensures optimal absorption into your dog's body for improved health benefits. These natural ingredients, such as Kelp, Vitamin E, Salmon Oil, Algae, and more, provide your pup with antioxidants, vitamins, and Omega-3 & 6, which contribute to healthier skin and an improved inflammatory response. Not to mention they have a delicious natural salmon flavor! Moreover, these chews are made in the USA with active ingredients derived from natural sources free of chemicals and other unhealthy additives such as corn, soy, GMOs, or artificial preservatives.
Allergy Support (Salmon Flavor)
Pet Honesty's Allergy Support Soft Chews in Salmon flavor make it easy and enjoyable to support a healthy immune system and histamine response in your pup. These vet-recommended treats are made with natural ingredients to help alleviate occasional environmental, food, skin, and seasonal allergies. Contains bovine colostrum to naturally support a normal histamine response to help improve allergies. Allergy soft chews also feature organic mushrooms, probiotics, and turmeric for additional benefits such as supporting GI tract health and the growth of good bacteria. Many dogs have experienced relief from itchy skin, watery eyes, sneezing, excessive scratching, or paw licking after using these tasty treats. Help your canine live its best life with these all-natural soft chews!
Allergy Itch Relief Pack
This Allergy Itch Relief Pack helps support dogs with seasonal and occasional allergies and encourages skin and immune health. Natural ingredients work together to provide essential supplements that help soothe skin-related issues due to allergies, as well as promote good immune health. Probiotics, Turmeric, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed, and Kelp are just some of the powerful ingredients that assist in alleviating itching and scratching for your pup caused by seasonal allergies. This pack includes Pet Honesty's Allergy Support Soft Chews, and Allergy SkinHealth Soft Chews, best-sellers. Formulated by animal science experts, this veterinarian-recommended solution supports your dog's digestion and immune health while promoting good skin and coat health through supplementation of Omegas and Probiotics for a healthier coat.
Why is it Essential to Maintain my Dog's Skin Health?
Maintaining your pup’s skin health is essential for its overall well-being and comfort. Healthy skin helps protect your pup from environmental irritants, supports the immune system, and helps regulate body temperature. Skin health is also an important indicator of any underlying issues or illnesses and can help detect problems early on. Providing your dog with proper nutrition, supplementation, grooming, and regular vet visits will help ensure that its skin remains healthy.
What Should I Look for if I Think my Dog has a Skin Problem?
If you think your pup may have a skin issue, look for signs such as excessive itching, dry or flaky skin, rashes, redness, bald patches, bumps, and lesions. Additionally, keep an eye out for changes in behavior such as scratching, licking, biting, or excessive grooming.
Ensuring your pup's skin health is crucial for its overall wellness and comfort. Incorporating Omega-3 fatty acids into their diet is a great way to improve their skin health while giving them the essential vitamins and minerals they need. Pet Honesty's Allergy Support Soft Chews, Allergy Skin Health Soft Chews, and Allergy Itch Relief Pack are all fantastic options for maintaining your dog's skin well-being. You can guarantee your pup has healthy skin by combining good nutrition, supplements, grooming, and regular check-ups with the vet.
