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Is there an ideal balance between omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids for my pet?
Omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids are two families of essential fatty acids that are crucial to the growth, development and health of our dogs and cats. These essential fatty acids must be in the petfoods we give to our dogs and cats. Since dogs and cats cannot produce these fatty acids in the body, they must be supplied in the diet, and thus they are called "essential fatty acids" (1).
Will my cat get enough omega-3 fatty acids from petfoods?
A cat petfood formulated with ingredients such as fish, fish oil, and fish meal, which are sources of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), will generally provide enough omega-3 fatty acids for your cat. Based on the National Research Council recommendations for the cat (1) only sufficient amounts of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA will meet the nutritional needs for the cat.
What and how much omega-3 fatty acids are in pet foods?
The pet foods that are formulated with enhanced amounts of omega-3 fatty acids typically contain from 0.03% to 2% of the diet by weight as omega-3 fatty acids. This minimum analyzed (laboratory tested) quantity of omega-3 fatty acids is shown on the label of every pet food package that claims to contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. This level of total omega-3 fatty acids may contain one or more of these health beneficial fatty acids. That is, the total amount may be just one or a combination of alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Are omega-3 fatty acids essential for my dog and cat?
There are two types of fatty acids that are essential to us and our companion animals. They are the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Essential means they cannot be made within the pet's own body and must be supplied in the food they eat. The first type of essential fatty acids is called the omega-6 fatty acids and this usually refers to linoleic acid (LA). Both dogs and cats need this fatty acid for normal health but the cat requires the omega-6 elongation product arachidonic acid. Therefore, the omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid (AA), is essential to cats since they cannot convert much of the LA to AA.
Omega-3 fatty acids can improve pets' coat and skin
Healthy skin and a shiny coat are good signs of a happy dog or cat. To maintain this healthy look, it is crucial to have a nutritiously balanced diet. One particular aspect of this balanced diet is that specific types and amounts of essential fatty acids are present in the pet food fed to your dogs and cats. There are two families of fatty acids that are essential to companion animals: the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids 1. These essential fatty acids are necessary to the pet's life and health. Since dogs and cats cannot produce them in the body, they must be obtained from the pet food.
Highlighted Articles
- Are omega-3 fatty acids essential for my dog and cat?
- Omega-3 fatty acids can improve pets' coat and skin
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