{"id":6,"date":"2024-11-24T20:53:03","date_gmt":"2024-11-24T20:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/2020\/06\/02\/the-truth-about-fish-oil-omega-3s-for-dogs\/"},"modified":"2020-06-02T16:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-06-02T16:00:00","slug":"the-truth-about-fish-oil-omega-3s-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/24\/the-truth-about-fish-oil-omega-3s-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Truth About Fish Oil Omega-3s For Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Dogs need two types of essential fatty acids<\/b><\/span> for healthy development and maintenance of their cardiovascular and nervous systems: <\/span>Omega-3 and Omega-6.<\/b><\/span> Fish oil omega-3s are commonly what you may think of as a source.<\/span><\/p>\n

But are they the best source?<\/span><\/p>\n

While Omega-6 fatty acids are plentiful in a dog\u2019s diet, regardless of what they eat, Omega-3s are not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because the <\/span>Omega-3s are fragile and break down quickly in the presence of heat, air or light<\/b><\/span>, they are lacking in both the commercial and fresh foods that we tend to feed our dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

While pet food labels may state that Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids have been added, <\/span>the reality is that the food is deficient in Omega-3 due to unavoidable exposure to air and light<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Feeding a good Omega-3 supplement is therefore advisable.<\/span><\/p>\n

But which one is best to use? The topic of Omega-3s is not as simple as it sounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Concerns with Fish Oil Omega 3s For Dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n

The two best Omega-3 fatty acids for dogs are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are found in the oils of fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and anchovies.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Cod liver oil also contains EPA and DHA, along with vitamins A and D.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that humans eat no more than six, 6 oz servings <\/b>of cod per month due to mercury levels in this fish.<\/span><\/p>\n

And because the oil concentrates the mercury in the liver, <\/span>cod liver oil will contain even higher levels of mercury.<\/b><\/span> Therefore it\u2019s safer to use fish body oils rather than those extracted from the liver.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contamination is still a concern. <\/span>Ocean dwelling fish absorb toxins and heavy metals as they feed<\/b><\/span>. So this means <\/span>the larger fish<\/b><\/span> at the top of the food chain <\/span>contain more toxic compounds.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

When buying any kind of fish oil, here are some considerations to keep in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Source Of Fish Oil Omega 3s<\/span><\/h3>\n

Look for an <\/span>eco-friendly, sustainable source<\/b><\/span> of fish oil. Most high-grade products are <\/span>wild-caught, non-threatened anchovies, sardines, and mackerel.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

And <\/span>these guys feed off small <\/b>plankton<\/b><\/span>, <\/b>from the deep clear Pacific waters off the coast of South America. <\/b><\/span>So they sit lower on the food chain <\/span>with fewer toxins and mercury than larger fish.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Where The Fish Is Processed<\/span><\/h3>\n

The most reputable fish oil processing plants are in Norway.<\/b><\/span>  This is because they only process the smaller South American fish.  So look for \u201dProduct of Norway\u201d on the label.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smell And Taste<\/span><\/h3>\n

High-quality fish oil should have a very pleasant smell<\/b><\/span>, whether in liquid form or capsule. The refining process has a great impact on smell and taste. The Norwegians have done extensive research on the development of good-tasting fish oil.<\/span><\/p>\n

How The Fish Oil Is Distilled<\/span><\/h3>\n

When our mothers\u2019 mothers made children take cod liver oil, it was in a time when producers didn\u2019t have as many contaminants to worry about.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fish oil was boiled in a still and separated from harder to boil materials like waxes, mercury and other pollutants that had different boiling points. The process was crude but it did the trick.<\/span><\/p>\n

While many processes exist today, <\/span>the preferable process is triple-phase molecular distillation<\/b><\/span>, which is much gentler.<\/span><\/p>\n

The oil is placed under vacuum and then the Omega-3s and pollutants like PCBs and mercury are boiled off at extremely low temperatures, molecule by molecule.<\/span><\/p>\n

The EPA and DHA Omega-3s are separated from toxins.<\/b><\/span> The resulting product is then converted back to triglyceride form. This is a costly process but the fish oil is more stable.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then<\/span> it is less likely to degrade and improves the bioavailability of the product.<\/b><\/span> Companies using this process will freely share this information.<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoid fish oil produced via the synthetic ethyl ester process<\/b><\/span> which is easier and cheaper. <\/span>It uses ethanol in the distillation <\/b><\/span>process to produce a higher concentration of EPA and DHA.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ethanol is a free radical and makes the fish oil unstable<\/b><\/span>, even though the oil may be more concentrated and contain a higher amount of Omega-3s. <\/span>Left in this form as ethyl ester, it is less bioavailable than the natural form of triglycerides.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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Testing Your Fish Oil For Ethanol<\/span><\/h3>\n

A quick home test will show what kind of fish oil you have. Pour some of your fish oil into a styrofoam cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the fish oil eats through the cup in 30 minutes or less, you may have fish oil with ethanol content<\/b><\/span>. Also, if the container does not say natural triglyceride or TG from the fish oil, it is likely the ethyl ester form.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caution With Salmon Oil<\/span><\/h3>\n

Salmon oil is very popular<\/b><\/span> and is probably the first fish oil that comes to mind. <\/span>But it may not be the healthiest option.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Farmed Vs Wild<\/span><\/h4>\n

Most of the salmon<\/b><\/span> in grocery stores today <\/span>are raised in fish farms.<\/b><\/span> This makes it<\/span> one of the most polluted foods our dogs eat.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Researchers analyzed farm-raised and wild salmon from eight regions around the world. The <\/span>farm-raised salmon contained dangerous levels of PCBs and dioxins<\/b><\/span>. They also found the insecticides dieldrin and toxaphene.<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • <\/b>PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are highly toxic and carcinogenic. <\/b><\/span>PCBs were banned but you can still find them in the environment. The most likely source of exposure is eating contaminated fish.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • <\/b>Fish and shellfish contain Dioxins. These are a group of carcinogenic, chemically related compounds.<\/b><\/span> The EPA\u2019s guidelines for exposure to dioxin, note that <\/span>one meal of farmed salmon a month can pose unacceptable cancer risks.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n
  • <\/b>Dieldrin is a highly toxic, long-lasting insecticide<\/b><\/span>, restricted by law to non-agricultural use.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • <\/b>Toxaphene is a toxic solid polychlorinated camphene used as an insecticide.<\/b><\/span> It was banned from use in the United States in 1990 because it is a suspected carcinogen.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The <\/span>farmed fish contains higher concentrations of toxins because of what they are fed<\/b><\/span>.  They consume pellets made of fish- meal which is other types of fish. Fish oils are also added to this pelleted mix.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The goal is to encourage rapid growth but it concentrates the number of toxins in their bodies. <\/span>The salmon farms also release large quantities of antibiotics into the water,<\/b><\/span> as well as other chemicals generated during farming.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cNorwegian salmon\u201d are not wild salmon but farm-raised. Farm-raised salmon can be high in the pro-inflammatory Omega-6 fats and low in healthy Omega-3s.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Wild-caught Alaskan salmon has a more favorable Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio and fewer toxins.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

    Choosing A Certified Oil<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Should you decide to use some fish oil omega 3\u2019s for your dog look for one that has been certified. <\/span>There are third-party testing and certification programs for fish oil. <\/b><\/span>It rates products based on the criteria of Omega-3 content, contaminants, and stability of the product.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The International Fish Oil Standards Program (IFOS)<\/b><\/span> has contracted <\/span>Nutrasource Diagnostics (nutrasource.ca).<\/b><\/span> They specialize in regulatory consulting, clinical trials and product testing. Enter the product, company or batch\/lot number of your fish oil or select from almost 100 producers to get the IFOS rating of your fish oil.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If buying salmon oil, make sure it is from wild-caught Alaskan salmon.<\/span><\/p>\n

    You need to think twice if the label says that it is made from salmon caught in the pristine waters of Norway or the Atlantic Ocean.<\/span><\/p>\n

    RELATED: <\/b>Fish Oil For Dogs: 5 Reasons You Should Dump It<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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    Alternatives To Fish Oil Omega-3s<\/span><\/h3>\n

    EPA and DHA are two fatty acids that are essential for cardiovascular function<\/b><\/span>. They also play a role in the prevention of dementia. The richest sources are fatty fish but there are other sources we can reach for too.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is a short-chain Omega-3 fatty acid<\/b><\/span>. You can find ALA in walnuts, hemp and chia seeds, flaxseeds and soybeans. On its own, ALA is an inefficient source of DHA.<\/span><\/p>\n

    This is because its effect depends on its conversion first to EPA and then to DHA. <\/span>Dogs can only convert about 20 percent of the ALA to DHA.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

    Data indicates that algae oil supplements are more concentrated in Omega-3s.<\/b><\/span> Algae supplements can provide both EPA and DHA and are a good alternative to fish oils.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Selecting a trusted algae supplement is just as important as choosing a fish oil.<\/b><\/span> Research the company and ensure you are dealing with the producer, not a third party or broker.<\/span><\/p>\n

    You want a product tested by a reputable, independent third party. <\/b><\/span>And make sure it\u2019s organically grown outdoors with plenty of natural sunlight. Just like fish oils, you want to avoid contaminants.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Combining crushed chia seeds and an algae supplement offers a healthy mix of ALAs, DHAs, and EPAs. <\/b><\/span>My recommendation for Omega-3 supplementation is to follow the regimen below.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    • <\/b>Crushed chia seeds:<\/b><\/span> 1 teaspoon (small dogs) to 1 tablespoon (large dogs) per day<\/span><\/li>\n
    • <\/b>Walnut Oil: <\/b><\/span>1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon a day, according to your dog\u2019s size as above<\/span><\/li>\n
    • <\/b>Quality fish oil supplement or algae oil supplement:<\/b><\/span> twice per week. Dose according to the recommendations on the container for your dog. If using a human product, assume it\u2019s for a 150 lb human and adjust for your dog\u2019s weight.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      RELATED: <\/b>5 Reasons Your Dog Needs Phytoplankton<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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      Dogs need two types of essential fatty acids for healthy development and maintenance of their cardiovascular and nervous systems: Omega-3 and Omega-6. Fish oil omega-3s are commonly what you may think of as<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-natural-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}