For many years, dog owners around the world have given oils to their dogs to improve a dull, dry coat.

More recently doctors have found that a component of some oils—fatty acids, play important roles in human health too, from treating skin conditions, like eczema, and dermatitis, to aiding in the prevention and treatment of depression, for the control of inflammation, and as a preventative for heart disease. It is clear that these oils are essential in maintaining human health.

Our knowledge of the benefits of these oils is now also being applied to pet health.

So – what are fatty acids?

Simply put they are specific types of polyunsaturated fats. The two main classes are omega-3 and omega-6.

Why do pets need fatty acids in their diet?

Animals can produce some, but not all of the fatty acids they need. What they cannot produce themselves, MUST be obtained through diet, hence the name essential fatty acids (or EFA).

But what is essential for one species, is not necessarily essential for another, e.g, the fatty acid, arachidonic acid is essential for cats but not for dogs.

In some diseases, the enzymes that convert fatty acids to another type may be deficient, or the animals ability to absorb fatty acids from the intestine may be reduced.

And pets with poor quality food—like much of the lower quality commercial food sold in stores —simply lack the essential fatty acids in their food to provide the basis from which to make the others!

Additionally—fatty acids, like many nutrients; are subject to destruction, particularly by overcooking, which can destroy them and also by oxidation — commonly called rancidity.

Because of these factors it has become essential to provide these essentials to your dog — to maintain optimum health!

Richard and Susan Pitcairn, had the following to say in their book Dr Pitcairns Complete Guide to Natural Health For Dogs and Cats —

“Without adequate quantities (of EFA) come many health problems, including significant skin eruptions, loss of hair, skin that won’t heal from wounds, liver and kidney degeneration, increase susceptibility to infections, heart and circulatory problems, weakness, retarded growth, spontaneous abortions, sterility, impairment of vision, loss of ability to learn, symptoms similar to arthritis, and more. We can see from this list that these nutritional components are aptly named essential fatty acids.” Dr Pitcairns Complete Guide to Natural Health For Dogs and Cats pg 55

Ratios

There has been some discussion over the ideal ratios of Omega 3 to Omega 6, currently the range is suggested at between 5:1—10:1 Omega 3:Omega 6. Suffice to say that all of the evidence would suggest that they should be added to the diet, if not occurring naturally.

Key Essentials

Now I don’t want to turn this into a complex chemistry lesson, but it is important to a degree that you understand the basics as far as these essentials are concerned;

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids include:

* Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)

* Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

* Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

You will often hear them abbreviated down to ALA, EPA, DHA .

ALA can be converted into EPA, by your dog. EPA is the most essential of the omega-3 fatty acids, because it is a critical part of cell membranes or cell walls.

Omega-6

Omega-6 fatty acids include:

* Linoleic acid (LA)

* Gamma linolenic acid (GLA)

* Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA)

* Arachidonic acid (AA)

Doglovers Oil — Recipe

To make a great oil mix follow this recipe:

500 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil

125 ml Cod Liver or Fish Oil

125 ml Flax Seed Oil

250 ml Sunflower Oil

If you are in the USA or similar — the following is an approximate conversion of the above recipe!

17 ounces Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4.25 ounces Cod Liver or Fish Oil

4.25 ounces Flax Seed Oil

8.50 ounces Sunflower Oil

Mix all oils together in a large glass bottle and shake well. Store this and any remainder from the original bottles in the fridge.

Use one teaspoon for small dogs, two teaspoons for medium dogs and 3 to 4 teaspoons for large dogs — sprinkle over their food once or twice per day.

Steve