Adding flax seed to your dog's food bowl is a popular way of helping your dog's coat feel luxurious. But a proper balance of essential fatty acids plays a role more vital in the long term good health of your dog than making his coat shine. There are two types of polyunsaturated oils that dogs are unable to make on their own so they must be consumed. These two types are omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids. Any lack of or imbalance between these two oils in the body will result in ill health or disease. Modern commercial pet diets tend to have an excess of omega 6. This can be seen in the huge range of skin problems, dandruff, and excessive shedding so common in dogs.
Adding flax seed oil, a source of omega 3, can help to bring the dog back into balance in some cases, but not all. That is because there are both active and inactive forms of essential fatty acids. The active form can be assimilated immediately into your dog's body and put to work. The inactive form, such as is found in flax seed, however, requires an enzyme to break it down first before it can be properly absorbed and used by the body. Not all dogs have this essential enzyme. Older dogs, exposed for years to a diet of processed food, often have lost this enzyme and therefore cannot absorb inactive forms of omega 3 or omega 6 oils. These unabsorbed oils can build up over time and cause health problems. Dogs that are already struggling with their health will be unable to metabolize inactive fatty acids. Young dogs, on the other hand, do tend to have this enzyme in their system and can do well with either active or inactive essential fatty acids.
If you have an older dog suffering with conditions such as itchy skin, inflammatory bowel, or arthritis, then choose from among active sources. Active Omega 3 sources include cod liver oil and whole fish oil such as salmon. Active Omega 6 sources include evening primrose oil and black currant oil. Inactive sources of Omega 3, to be avoided if your dog is older, unhealthy, or lost the enzyme through heredity, include flax seed oil and hemp seed oil. Inactive Omega 6 sources include common vegetable oils such as those made from corn, sunflower, and safflower. All oils should be fresh, refrigerated and consumed within 6 weeks of opening.
The lack of omega 3, or excessive omega 6 levels, has been linked to a wide range of health problems in people and animals. In addition to a multitude of skin problems, health issues include arthritis, heart and lung disease, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks. You may want to consider adding some extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil to your dog's diet. Olive oil, while itself not a source of essential fatty acids, is rich in vitamin E, and will help balance the omega 3 and omega 6 oils in your dog's system.
By C. A. Clarke
Adding flax seed oil, a source of omega 3, can help to bring the dog back into balance in some cases, but not all. That is because there are both active and inactive forms of essential fatty acids. The active form can be assimilated immediately into your dog's body and put to work. The inactive form, such as is found in flax seed, however, requires an enzyme to break it down first before it can be properly absorbed and used by the body. Not all dogs have this essential enzyme. Older dogs, exposed for years to a diet of processed food, often have lost this enzyme and therefore cannot absorb inactive forms of omega 3 or omega 6 oils. These unabsorbed oils can build up over time and cause health problems. Dogs that are already struggling with their health will be unable to metabolize inactive fatty acids. Young dogs, on the other hand, do tend to have this enzyme in their system and can do well with either active or inactive essential fatty acids.
If you have an older dog suffering with conditions such as itchy skin, inflammatory bowel, or arthritis, then choose from among active sources. Active Omega 3 sources include cod liver oil and whole fish oil such as salmon. Active Omega 6 sources include evening primrose oil and black currant oil. Inactive sources of Omega 3, to be avoided if your dog is older, unhealthy, or lost the enzyme through heredity, include flax seed oil and hemp seed oil. Inactive Omega 6 sources include common vegetable oils such as those made from corn, sunflower, and safflower. All oils should be fresh, refrigerated and consumed within 6 weeks of opening.
The lack of omega 3, or excessive omega 6 levels, has been linked to a wide range of health problems in people and animals. In addition to a multitude of skin problems, health issues include arthritis, heart and lung disease, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks. You may want to consider adding some extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil to your dog's diet. Olive oil, while itself not a source of essential fatty acids, is rich in vitamin E, and will help balance the omega 3 and omega 6 oils in your dog's system.
By C. A. Clarke
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