The vitamin for dogs is usually used in different situations in a pet's life: elderly dog, puppy, pregnant dog, anemia and many others. But you may also have heard about giving omega 3 to dogs. Associated with different benefits for human health, such as improved memory and cardiovascular system, omega 3 is a type of fat that is not produced by the body andPets can also benefit from these effects if omega-3 is included in the dog's diet. O Paws of the House talked to veterinary nutritionist Lunara Biavatti to explain everything that involves omega 3 in your pet's diet. Check it out below!

Omega 3 for dogs: what is it for?

Omega 3 for dogs is a food supplement that can be offered to pets. But do you know what omega 3 actually is? Veterinarian Lunara Biavatti explained: "Omega 3 is a type of polyunsaturated fat that is essential for dogs, as they do not have enzymes to synthesize it and depend on adequate intake to meet their needs."

There are two types of omega 3, of plant origin and of animal origin. For dogs to take advantage of the substance, it needs to be of animal origin, as the expert explains: "Dogs cannot synthesize EPA AND DHA by ingesting alpha linolenic acid (omega 3 of plant origin), so the importance of including cold-water fish in the dog's diet or supplementing with fish oil a"In other words, the dog can eat fish to supplement this need of the body, but preferably as one of the ingredients of food, snacks or sachets.

After all, what is omega 3 for dogs good for? The anti-inflammatory action caused in the body is one of the main effects. According to Lunara, supplementation can help in the treatment of complications such as:

• cancer
• joint problems
• canine obesity
• heart disease
• kidney diseases
• flea bite allergy
• food hypersensitivity
• canine atopic and contact dermatitis

Omega 3: can dogs be supplemented in which situations?

You already know that omega 3 for dogs can help with some health problems, but can healthy dogs also take the food supplement? "All pets, including healthy ones, can benefit from the inclusion of this supplement due to its many benefits for the body," says veterinarian Lunara.

If you look at the label of dog food you can find a version of "food with omega 3", but according to Lunara, the nutritional value of these rations may not be able to meet the needs of the canine organism. "Commercial rations have minimal levels of this nutrient. In addition, fatty acids of the 3 series are sensitive to high temperatures, light and oxygen showing losses"Because of this, most animals take omega-3 as a dietary supplement, which veterinarians usually recommend for elderly dogs and pregnant bitches.

To offer omega 3 and 6 for dogs and any other supplement, the ideal is that a veterinary nutrologist be consulted. "The capsule can be offered orally, or open the tip and add the contents to the pet's food. Usually the indication is once a day. For quantity and correct dose, follow the recommendation of your trusted veterinarian ", explains Lunara.

Omega 3 for dogs: benefits of supplementation

Omega 3 for dogs plays an important role in the body's inflammatory responses. But in addition, what are the other benefits that supplementation can offer? The veterinarian listed some of the advantages, which can also be allied in the diet of healthy dogs. Check out:

• helps to reduce triglycerides and cholesterol;
• reduces itching in allergic animals;
• improves, moisturizes and raises the shine of the coat;
• prevention and reduction of tumor growth;
• reduces pain and improves mobility of animals with arthritis and arthrosis;
• helps control cardiac arrhythmias and renal perfusion;
• improves cognitive function.

With this series of advantages, some guardians wonder if omega 3 for dogs is the same as human. Many people have the version of the supplement for human treatment at home and seek to know if they can give it to dogs. As for this, the specialist explained: "Both are extracted from fish oil. Those of the human line can be offered, but attention must be paid to their quality. A good supplement needs toattest its purity and concentration, with seals such as IFOS and Interek. A tip to test the quality is to put the omega in the freezer, a good omega 3 does not freeze."