What Are Fatty Acids?

Fatty acids aren’t acids like acid in the stomach, but are chains of carbon molecules linked with single or double bonds. The location of the double bond determines whether it’s called an Omega 3 or an Omega 6 fatty acid. Omega 3 fatty acids have the first double bond at the 3rd carbon: ALA (alpha linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Omega 6 fatty acids have the first double bond at the 6th carbon: LA (linoleic acid) and GLA (gamma linolenic acid).

What Fatty Acid does my pet need?

Both Omega 3 fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty acids are essential for health. Pets with allergic (flea allergy dermatitis), auto-immune (pemphigus, rheumatoid arthritis), or inflammatory (arthritis, glomerulonephritis) conditions need more Omega 3 fatty acids. Pets that have chronic illness (FIV, FIP, cancer) need more Omega 6 fatty acids.

Omega 3 fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty acids are both incorporated into cell membranes throughout the body. When the cell membranes are damaged, fatty acids are released. Released Omega 6 fatty acids are 10-100 times more likely to promote inflammation than are Omega 3 fatty acids. Inflammation is beneficial if a pet has an infection it needs to fight. Most pets, however, have health problems caused by too much inflammation (flea allergies, arthritis, auto-immune disease), so most pets benefit from supplements with higher concentrations of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Supplementing with fish oil or cod liver oil - are they the same?

No. Fish either store fats in their bodies (salmon, mackerel, menhaden, sardines, tuna) or in their livers (cod). Because fish also store Vitamins A & D in their livers, if a supplement contains fish liver oil, it will also contain high concentrations of Vitamins A & D. Avoid over-supplementing with fish liver oils because they may containc excessive levels of Vitamins A & D that can harm the liver. Supplementing with whole body fish oils prevents accidentally overdosing a pet with fat-soluble Vitamins A & D.

What does essential fatty acid mean?

An essential fatty acid is one that must be supplied in the diet because it cannot be manufactured by the body. The essential fatty acid for dogs is linoleic acid. Essential fatty acids for cats are linoleic acid and arachadonic acid. Some researchers believe alpha linolenic acid is also essential for dogs and cats.

Essential fatty acids aren't the only essential nutrient. There are about 50 nutrients or factors essential for good health: 20-21 minerals; 13 vitamins; 8-10 amino acids; 2 fatty acids. We also need fiber, friendly intestinal bacteria (probiotics), and digestive enzymes. We recommend supplements with fiber, such as Vetasyl and Missing Link. Missing Link also contains probiotics, as does Acidophilus Plus. For enzymes, we recommend NaturVet Enzymes & Probiotics , Pancrezyme (Rx) and Viokase-V(Rx). Adequan, Legend, Glyco-Flex, and 1-800-PetMeds Super Joint Enhancer to decrease the pet's need for NSAIDs.

What are the best sources of the essential Omega 3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid?

Flax seed is 50% alpha-linolenic acid. Chia and Kukui (candlenut) oils are 30%. Hemp seed oil, 20%. Pumpkin seed oil, from 0-15%. Canola oil, 10%. Walnut oil, 3-11%. Soybean oil, 5-7%. These products contain Omega 3 fatty acid:

• Be Well for Dogs,
• Be Well for Cats,
• Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Pet,
• 1-800-PetMeds Brite Coat XS,
• Missing Link,
• Derm Caps,
• 3V Caps,
• Lipiderm.

Dogs and cats - fatty acid differences

Cats cannot convert flax oil or alpha linolenic acid to EPA and DHA; they require fish oils that already contain EPA and DHA. Dogs can convert linolenic acid to EPA and DHA, but this conversion becomes inefficient with age. It benefits all cats and older, or sick, dogs to have EPA and DHA supplied directly with fish oils.

Battery chickens, feedlot beef and farmed fish have what in common?

Battery chickens (raised in cages), feedlot beef, and farmed fish are all fed grains. Grains promote the production of Omega 6 fatty acids, and Omega 6 fatty acids promote inflammation. Fifty years ago the picture was different. It used to be that chicken and cattle were free range and ate plants. Fish were not farmed; they ate algae or smaller fish that ate algae. Fish, chicken, and cattle that eat plants make Omega 3 fatty acids; if they eat grains, they make Omega 6 fatty acids, which promote inflammation characteristic of allergies and heart disease. That’s why it used to be healthy to eat eggs and beef, but now it’s best to eat them in limited amounts. The same dietary advice holds for pets: supplement with Omega 3 fatty acids or feed kibble made from wild caught fish or free range chicken, chicken eggs, beef, or lamb.

How much Omega 3 fatty acid does my pet need?

The intake of Omega 3 fatty acid should approximately equal the intake of Omega 6 fatty acid so the ratio approaches 1:1 because that’s the ratio the pet’s body evolved with. Because Omega 6 fatty acids are so prevalent in pet food and treats, it’s usually necessary to supplement with Omega 3 fatty acids to get a healthy 1:1, or 5:1. Without Omega 3 supplements, most pets eat a diet with a ratio of 20 Omega 6 fatty acid to 1 Omega 3 fatty acid. Omega 6 fatty acids—from corn, safflower, sunflower, canola, olive oil—are usually cheaper, and more readily available than Omega 3 fatty acids from flax, fish, hemp, and walnuts.

Why is the ratio of Omega 3 fatty acid to Omega 6 fatty acid important?

Omega 3 fatty acid and Omega 6 fatty acid share a common enzyme. As the enzyme converts fatty acids from precursor molecules to active molecules, an overwhelming abundance of Omega 6 floods the enzyme. This flood causes the body to produce more of the Omega 6 metabolites and these metabolites promote inflammation. The places in the cell membrane that would ideally be filled with Omega 3 fatty acid get filled with Omega 6 fatty acid, and cells don’t function optimally.

In the brain, which is 60% fat, learning and behavior is not optimum. In the skin, eyes and ears, reactions to allergens are exaggerated. Rather than a normal response to flea bites, yeast infection, or inhaled pollens, the pet exhibits extreme itching, oozing and swelling. This extreme reaction can be lessened in many pets if they are supplemented with Omega 3 fatty acids.

How quickly will my pet benefit from Omega 3 supplements?

While the pet begins benefiting quickly, you may not notice a difference from Omega 3 supplements for 3-4 months. The pet’s body will change from the inside out—first the individual cells, then tissues, then organs. Gradually you’ll notice the coat and skin become more radiant. When you see this, you’ll know the internal organs, including the kidneys, liver, heart, and brain, are also experiencing more radiant health.

How big is a fatty acid?

Fatty acids are so small that 100 quintillion (1 followed by 20 zeroes) fit in a single drop of oil.

Best oils for shiny coats?

Omega 6 fatty acids promote shiny coats. Saturated fats (bacon, beef tallow, lard) do not help the coat. To nourish the coat, keep the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 at the optimum level, which many believe is 5:1 or 1:1. If your pet has a dandruff or seborrhea problem, in addition to fatty acids, supplement with zinc, folate, and retinoids.