What are polyunsaturated essential fatty acids?
Polyunsaturated = you’ve heard of good fats and bad fats? This is the good, healthy type!
Essential = dogs do not produce them internally, so they are essential in the diet
Fatty acids = building blocks that store energy, support vitamin absorption and help control hormones
Specifically, the fatty acids known together as Omega-3 are:
How Omega-3 fatty acids can help dogs
- Aid puppies’ brain and eye development
- Reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis
- Help to fight chronic kidney disease
- Improve cognitive function
- Boost the canine immune system
- Benefit heart and kidney health
- Help maintain healthy skin and coat
- Reduce anxiety and hyperactivity
Omega-3 benefits for puppies
As puppies get out and about exploring the world, they are susceptible to close contact with germs and bacteria that they have not previously experienced, but Omega-3 helps to support puppies’ underdeveloped immune systems to fight infections.
Omega-3 also benefits puppies brain and eye development, and cognitive function. Studies have shown that puppies getting a good level of Omega-3 in their diet, rich in DHA, do better memory, balance, coordination and visual differentiation than puppies with a low Omega-3 content in their diet.
Omega-3 benefits for adults and senior dogs
Omega-3 helps dogs to fight inflammation. That means it can help with wound healing and alleviating stiff joints. Inflammation is a common symptom of many degenerative conditions, so Omega-3 is beneficial across a wide range of issues that dogs often have in later life.
The best source of Omega-3
The best source of Omega-3 is fatty fish oil, like salmon. This is particularly rich in EPA and DHA, which has better bioavailability to dogs and puppies than ALA. If you have an older dog with a condition for which Omega-3 is beneficial, we recommend checking out our Paw superfood recipe, Salmon with Asparagus.
Most dog food producers destroy the Omega-3 with high cooking temperatures
Omega-3 fatty acids are sensitive to high temperatures. Most dry dog food manufacturers cook their products at very high temperatures which is detrimental and significantly reduces the benefits of Omega-3, plus many other ingredients. We gently cook our nutritious Paw superfood recipes just under 90 degrees celsius, which helps to preserve the nutrients and make them available for digestion. Since Omega-3 is so temperature-sensitive, we spray it onto our dry food kibble after it has cooled to maximise the benefits available to your dog or puppy.
