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For free friendly advice or to order over the phone with a card call: 01772 883950
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Omega Fatty Acids 3 & 6 Dog Food
Like their owners, dogs have specific nutritional requirements. Among the nutrients that dogs need are essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids cannot be manufactured by the dog’s body, so he must get it in his diet. Dogs need both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.
Unfortunately, the AAFCO (the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials) does not list omega fatty acids as essential nutrients for dogs. Many dog food manufacturers disagree, and provide omega fatty acids 3 & 6 dog food formulas. If your dog’s favorite food does not contain omega fatty acids, you can supplement his diet to make sure he gets the nutrients he needs.
The Right Omega Fatty Acids in the Right Amounts
Your dog needs the proper ratio of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids. The
exact ratio hasn’t yet been determined, but most veterinarians believe
the ratio is somewhere between 5:1 and 10:1 (omega 6:omega 3). Sometimes
even smaller ratios are recommended, as in a dog who has coat or skin problems.
The omega fatty acids 3 & 6 dog food formulas of most quality foods contain at least 2.2% omega 6 fatty acids and 0.3% omega 3 fatty acids.
Precautions
Caution should be used in supplementing your dog’s diet with omega fatty
acids. It is possible to overdose your dog on omega 6 fatty acids. Most
commercial dog foods contain plenty of omega 6 fatty acids, so you probably
don’t need to add any to your dog’s diet.
It is more likely that your dog needs more omega 3 fatty acids. It is nearly impossible to give your dog too much omega 3 fatty acids, but check any supplement you use for the presence of vitamins A & D. These two vitamins are also found in many sources of omega 3 fatty acids, and it is possible to give your dog too much of them.
Omega 3 fatty acids oxidize rapidly and increase your dog’s requirement for antioxidants. This is supplied in the form of vitamin E. If your dog’s food or supplement doesn’t contain vitamin E, it might be helpful to add it as a separate supplement.
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For free friendly advice or to order over the phone with a card call: 01772 883950
Omega 3 fish oils Pure EPA is available exclusively from mind 1st.
Mind1st Information Line: 01772 883950
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