The Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

There has been a great deal of talk lately about the benefits of omega-3 for dogs. Supplements containing it are increasingly common, and it is added to foods as well. It is credited with effects on the skin, the coat and the joints.

But are these benefits real? Can we add omega-3 to our dog's diet? Below we explain what omega-3 is and how it can help a dog's health.

What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Fatty acids are essential because the body cannot synthesise them. They have to be eaten in the diet in small amounts. They are lipids of high nutritional value and are divided into simple, compound and derived. The simple ones are classified into triglycerides and waxes. The former are the most important. They are made up of fatty acids and glycerol.

Fatty acids consist of a hydrocarbon chain with an even number of carbon atoms. At one end they have a carboxyl group. Depending on their number of double chemical bonds between carbon atoms, they are classified as:

• Saturated: they have none of these bonds.
• Monounsaturated: they have a single bond.
• Polyunsaturated: they have two or more bonds.

Omega-3 fatty acids are among the polyunsaturated ones. Their name comes from the fact that the first double bond sits at the third carbon atom. They derive from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which has 18 carbon atoms and three double chemical bonds. From it come eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

What Does Omega-3 Do?

A shortfall of fatty acids has an impact on a dog's health. Not immediately, but if the shortfall persists, signs appear such as flaking, a loss of shine in the coat, or thinner, greasier skin in certain areas such as the ears, the skin folds or between the toes.

Secondary infections from bacteria or yeasts can develop in those areas. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 among them, perform important and varied functions in the body. The main ones are:

• Keeping the skin and coat healthy.
• Supporting the workings of the digestive system.
• Improving how the kidneys work.
• Taking part in inflammatory processes. DHA produces substances that cause less inflammation.
• Contributing to neurological development. The presence of DHA in mother's milk is linked to optimal development of puppies' brain, nervous system and retina. The brain is the organ containing the greatest amount of DHA.

Foods Rich in Omega-3

There are various foods in which we can find significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. They are notably present in the oils of oily cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring and halibut. There is also EPA and DHA in seaweed, phytoplankton and single-celled algae, and in mother's milk.

New Zealand green-lipped mussel, rich in omega-3 and chondroitin sulphate, is another of the ingredients now being added in powdered form to some dog foods. Finally, there is omega-3 in soya oils.

When Should We Give Our Dog Omega-3?

Omega-3 is being used above all in cases where inflammatory conditions are diagnosed. But we need to be aware that how well it works is a matter of debate, since the hoped-for benefits are not always achieved. More studies are needed.

For now, what is certain is that it is recommended for a great many different uses, but only the vet can prescribe omega-3 supplementation for us. It would be indicated in cases such as the following:

• Dogs taking part in sporting activities, since it improves their results.
• Older dogs, because it acts on the oxygenation of the brain. It is one of the ingredients to include in the diets of dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
• Patients with chronic inflammatory conditions, such as those affecting the joints, the digestive system and, of course, the skin. This is down to its anti-inflammatory action. It inhibits the effects of the chemical substances involved in these processes. Its role in osteoarthritis and in allergies stands out.
• In joint problems it increases the ability to bear weight and reduces stiffness, lameness and pain.
• Combined with glycosaminoglycans it reduces inflammation and pain in the joints.
• It protects the kidneys and heart through its effect on the fluidity of the blood, as well as an antihypertensive action. Specifically, increasing omega-3 intake is recommended in dogs with kidney failure.
• It lowers the risk of tumours.
• During pregnancy and nursing it supports the neurological and retinal development of foetuses and puppies.
• It improves puppies' memory and learning ability, as well as the normal development of neurons, retina and auditory structures.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 for Dogs

Omega-6 is another of the essential fatty acids that have been finding their way into dogs' diets in recent times. Both are essential to health, but the ratio between them matters a great deal.

If the amount of omega-6 is higher than that of omega-3, health problems can arise, such as inflammatory conditions. Hence how important it is never to supplement our dog without asking the vet.

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