Omega 3 for Dogs is Important, Too!
How to find omega 3 for dogs
Until recently, no one talked about omega 3 for dogs. We barely knew people needed the stuff, much less animals. But it turns out that domesticated animals, especially dogs, are just as omega 3 deficient as their human counterparts.
It makes sense if you think about it. People are not getting the omega 3 we should because our diets have changed. The same is true of dogs. Prepackaged dog food is not going to have the same omega 3 content as birds and other small animals a dog eats in the wild. And like people food, modern dog food is heavily processed and contains a very heavy balance of omega 6 oils.
Why fish oil for dogs?
It turns out that fish oil for dogs is almost as important as it is for people. Why? A wide variety of reasons. Here are just some of the difficulties associated with omega 3 deficiency in dogs:
-Arthritis/joint problems
-Dry skin
-Itchy skin
-Lowered bone density
-Dry, dull coat
-Ear or skin infection
-Loss of mental capacity (in older dogs)
And, as with people, mood disorders: depression, difficulty concentrating and learning, and the like. Obviously, omega 3 for dogs keeps them healthy and alert, so it's well worth your time and money to include this in your pet's diet.
Omega 3 supplements for dogs
Some commercial dog foods claim to be high in essential fatty acids. Most of these dog foods have made an effort to include things like salmon oil and flax in their food, which does make a difference. However, it's still highly processed and not the same as a concentrated dose of omega 3.
You can solve this problem with omega 3 supplements for dogs. You don't have to buy anything special: just get the same cod liver oil you'd use for yourself (high quality, of course), and put it in with their food.
Also, find a high quality, low calorie, nutritious dog food your pet likes. If your dog has an aversion to a certain food, it could be that it contains too much flax oil which has gone rancid. You won't notice because you probably don't think dog food smells all that appetizing to begin with, but your dog can tell.
You can also consider omega 3 supplements for dogs in the form of food: cooked eggs, small amounts of lean meats, and small amounts of deboned fish. Do not feed your dog raw meat. There are some people who argue that, since this is closest to what animals eat in the wild, it is the healthiest and easiest way to get them omega 3.
However, when animals eat wild meat, it's freshly killed, not suffering from 2 weeks wrapped in plastic in your refrigerator. Just be safe and give your pets cooked meat without bones.
Follow these tips, and you'll be sure to get the omega 3 for dogs that will keep them healthy and lively for years to come.
