DIET & NUTRITION
Are You Feeding Your Dog the Right Fats? Healthy Fats for Dogs!
Fats are an indispensable part of our dog's diet. Learn more about the essential fats, the right amount and sources for your dog's optimal well being!
Table of contents
For a considerable period, health literature had portrayed fats negatively. However, it's now widely recognized that fats are not just important but essential components of a dog's daily diet. Incorporating fats into the dietary intake of dogs offers various benefits, including the provision of energy, essential fatty acids (EFAs), and the enhancement of fat-soluble vitamin absorption.
Five Benefits of Introducing Healthy Fats for Dogs
Here are five primary benefits of introducing healthy fats in your dog’s diet:
- They provide energy, insulation, and cushioning for our dogs.
- They help keep our dog’s coats’ healthy and shiny.
- They improve cognitive and neurological development.
- Healthy fats improve vision and eye health.
- They help prevent and manage joint-related issues.
Recommended Allowance of Healthy Fats for Dogs
Though fats hold a lot of benefits for our dog’s health and well being, like everything else, moderation is key. The recommended daily allowances for:
Adding fats to your dog’s diet isn’t as simple as rotating different types of oils. It is important to feed the right fat sources for dogs because the fatty acid intake strongly influences what type of fat is stored and which end products of fatty acid metabolism will occur. Properly balanced fats included in a dog’s diet can support heart, brain, eye, and skin health.
- For adult dogs – a minimum of 13.8 gm per 1000 Kcal
- For puppies – a minimum of 21.3 gm per 1000 Kcal
Adding fats to your dog’s diet isn’t as simple as rotating different types of oils. It is important to feed the right fat sources for dogs because the fatty acid intake strongly influences what type of fat is stored and which end products of fatty acid metabolism will occur. Properly balanced fats included in a dog’s diet can support heart, brain, eye, and skin health.
It is important to figure out the right sources of healthy fats for our dogs. Image courtesy: unsplash.com
Understanding the Types of Fatty Acids
Understanding the various types of fats and their connection to inflammation is crucial. Not all fats are deemed essential, and in mammals, fatty acids fall into two main categories: saturated and unsaturated. Unsaturated fatty acids are further divided into monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
Saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids can be derived from the diet or synthesized by a dog’s body. And hence, these fats are not considered an essential part of a dog’s diet. A good source of SFA is coconut oil, and that of MUFA is olive oil.
The Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
Many dog parents may lack awareness regarding the essential fats crucial for their dog's proper growth and development. Unfortunately, they may inadvertently feed fats that are not essential for their pets' overall well-being. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) for dogs primarily belong to the polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) category. Within PUFAs, two types are considered essential for dogs: Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids. Providing the right balance of these essential fatty acids in your dog’s diet is vital for supporting their optimal health and development.
Within the essential fatty acid groups, Omega-6 consists mainly of Linoleic Acid (LA). On the other hand, Omega-3 encompasses Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), as well as Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). Adult dogs and puppies need both Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids as part of their diet at all life stages, particularly the EPA & DHA.
1. Linoleic Acid (LA) – It is the most abundant dietary fat, but should be fed in moderation because excess can lead to inflammation. The food sources for this are pumpkin seed oil, hemp seed oil, sunflower seed oil, wheatgerm oil.
2. Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) – ALAs are predominantly found in plant-based sources such as flaxseeds, but they don't convert well to EPA and DHA. They can be used as a source of energy. Healthy sources of ALA are flaxseeds or flaxseed oil, chia seeds, etc.
3. EPA and DHA – One of the most important functions of EPA & DHA is reducing inflammation, and protecting against chronic diseases! These fats stand out as the crucial fats in the diets of dogs and puppies. It's imperative for dog parents to give particular consideration to these fatty acids and ensure their daily inclusion in their dog’s meals. They are naturally present in marine-based foods like fatty fishes and algae. Alternatively, incorporating fish oil or krill oil into a dog's diet serves as an excellent way to provide an optimal source of EPA and DHA.
In a 2012 study, the impact of DHA-rich fish oil on the cognitive development of 48 healthy Beagle puppies was assessed. The findings indicated a positive influence on neurocognitive development, enhancing cognitive abilities, memory, psychomotor skills, immunologic responses, retinal functions, and various developmental measures in these dogs.
A dog’s brain is composed of 50 percent fat, and DHA makes up more than 90 percent of the long-chain PUFAs found in the brain. This explains why DHA is widely believed to play an integral role in the proper development and functioning of the brain.
The best food sources of EPA and DHA are fatty fishes such as Sardines, Mackerel, and Anchovies. To ensure a sufficient intake of these essential fatty acids, it's advisable to incorporate these fishes into your dog's daily meals. In instances where feeding fish directly is not feasible, do not overlook the option of adding fish oil to your dog's diet. When selecting a fish oil, be sure to choose a product that has undergone third-party testing for heavy metals and PCBs to ensure its quality and safety.
Recommended Allowance of EPA & DHA –
Saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids can be derived from the diet or synthesized by a dog’s body. And hence, these fats are not considered an essential part of a dog’s diet. A good source of SFA is coconut oil, and that of MUFA is olive oil.
The Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
Many dog parents may lack awareness regarding the essential fats crucial for their dog's proper growth and development. Unfortunately, they may inadvertently feed fats that are not essential for their pets' overall well-being. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) for dogs primarily belong to the polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) category. Within PUFAs, two types are considered essential for dogs: Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids. Providing the right balance of these essential fatty acids in your dog’s diet is vital for supporting their optimal health and development.
Within the essential fatty acid groups, Omega-6 consists mainly of Linoleic Acid (LA). On the other hand, Omega-3 encompasses Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), as well as Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). Adult dogs and puppies need both Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids as part of their diet at all life stages, particularly the EPA & DHA.
1. Linoleic Acid (LA) – It is the most abundant dietary fat, but should be fed in moderation because excess can lead to inflammation. The food sources for this are pumpkin seed oil, hemp seed oil, sunflower seed oil, wheatgerm oil.
2. Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) – ALAs are predominantly found in plant-based sources such as flaxseeds, but they don't convert well to EPA and DHA. They can be used as a source of energy. Healthy sources of ALA are flaxseeds or flaxseed oil, chia seeds, etc.
3. EPA and DHA – One of the most important functions of EPA & DHA is reducing inflammation, and protecting against chronic diseases! These fats stand out as the crucial fats in the diets of dogs and puppies. It's imperative for dog parents to give particular consideration to these fatty acids and ensure their daily inclusion in their dog’s meals. They are naturally present in marine-based foods like fatty fishes and algae. Alternatively, incorporating fish oil or krill oil into a dog's diet serves as an excellent way to provide an optimal source of EPA and DHA.
In a 2012 study, the impact of DHA-rich fish oil on the cognitive development of 48 healthy Beagle puppies was assessed. The findings indicated a positive influence on neurocognitive development, enhancing cognitive abilities, memory, psychomotor skills, immunologic responses, retinal functions, and various developmental measures in these dogs.
A dog’s brain is composed of 50 percent fat, and DHA makes up more than 90 percent of the long-chain PUFAs found in the brain. This explains why DHA is widely believed to play an integral role in the proper development and functioning of the brain.
The best food sources of EPA and DHA are fatty fishes such as Sardines, Mackerel, and Anchovies. To ensure a sufficient intake of these essential fatty acids, it's advisable to incorporate these fishes into your dog's daily meals. In instances where feeding fish directly is not feasible, do not overlook the option of adding fish oil to your dog's diet. When selecting a fish oil, be sure to choose a product that has undergone third-party testing for heavy metals and PCBs to ensure its quality and safety.
Recommended Allowance of EPA & DHA –
- For adult dogs – a minimum of 110 mg EPA & DHA for every 1000 Kcal
- For puppies – a minimum of 130 mg EPA & DHA for every 1000 Kcal
Signs of EFAs deficiency may appear in your dog's coat and skin health. Image courtesy: unsplash.com
Signs of Essential Fatty Acid (EFAs) Deficiency in Dogs
• Dry, lusterless coat
• Scaly skin or lesions
• Dandruff or flaky skin
• Dry eyes
• Impaired wound healing
• Poor growth in puppies
• Impaired cognitive development
• Reproductive abnormalities
• Edema, alopecia, dermatitis
• Heart problems
• Mood disorders, aggression
• Muscle weakness
• Overall dullness or sluggishness
• Joint pain
• Chronic inflammation
• Poor gut health
• Dandruff or flaky skin
• Dry eyes
• Impaired wound healing
• Poor growth in puppies
• Impaired cognitive development
• Reproductive abnormalities
• Edema, alopecia, dermatitis
• Heart problems
• Mood disorders, aggression
• Muscle weakness
• Overall dullness or sluggishness
• Joint pain
• Chronic inflammation
• Poor gut health
Both the Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids have individual roles to play in fulfilling different bodily functions. Both fats are important and your dog needs both in the diet. Unbalanced fats can do more harm than good! And so, these fats must always be balanced in order to avoid excess inflammation.
Note: Polyunsaturated fats Omega 6 & 3 can become rancid quickly, leading to potential health issues. These fats, containing carbon atoms with multiple double bonds, are unstable and susceptible to oxidation. To prevent this, store Omega-6 and Omega-3 oils in a cool, dry place. When adding them to your dog's bowl, make sure the food is at room temperature, not hot, and incorporate the oils just before consumption to minimize oxidation.
- If your dog’s diet already includes an ample amount of fatty fishes, the focus should be on maintaining a balanced ratio of Linoleic Acid (LA) and Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA).
- When your dog's diet consists of chicken and fish, it is recommended to include a small amount of both Linoleic Acid (LA) and Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) for balanced nutrition.
- If the diet contains only red meat – it is essential to incorporate all essential fatty acids i.e LA, ALA, EPA & DHA. Avoid adding coconut oil with red meat, as it is already high in saturated fats.
- For those opting for a home-cooked vegetarian diet for their dogs, the addition of saturated fats like coconut or MCT oil is permissible. However, it is crucial to supplement this diet with fish oil to ensure the provision of essential Omega-3 fatty acids.
Note: Polyunsaturated fats Omega 6 & 3 can become rancid quickly, leading to potential health issues. These fats, containing carbon atoms with multiple double bonds, are unstable and susceptible to oxidation. To prevent this, store Omega-6 and Omega-3 oils in a cool, dry place. When adding them to your dog's bowl, make sure the food is at room temperature, not hot, and incorporate the oils just before consumption to minimize oxidation.
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