Flax Seed Oil for Dogs & Pets

How Does Flax Seed Oil Benefit Dogs?

Pet owners are always looking for new ways to ensure that their pets are healthy and well taken care of. One of the more popular health supplements for dogs is the use of fatty acids. The use of these acids, usually found in flax seed oil can be used to treat allergies in dogs as well as helping to stop atopic dermatitis, kidney disease, arthritis and cholesterol.

Flax seed oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Omega-6 fatty acids, linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) both have very powerful health properties. Processed dog foods have an increase omega-6 fatty acids and decreased omega-3 fatty acids. If your dog eats a lot of processed food, adding omega-3 supplements is probably a good idea. Adding large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids to your dogs food can result in an increase of non-inflammatory eicosanoids. This can result in decreased inflammation and itchiness in the pet with atopic dermatitis.

Research has shown that the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are key in infant growth and development. There are also other studies that show that in taking flax seed oil, there is often a reduction of cholesterol. New research also indicates that alpha-linolinic acid, one of the omega-3 fatty acids, aids greatly in the circulatory system and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Another beneficial side product of the omega-3 fatty acids is that it bolsters the autoimmune system and it's capacity to fend off immune disorders.

Another benefit of allowing your dog to have flax seed oil is that the fiber value is extremely high. Flax seed contains both soluble and non-soluble fiber. Studies show that the two fibers are very important in different aspects. The soluble fiber is needed to aide the circulatory system, while the insoluble is responsible for the digestive process.

 
All the ingredients included in flax seed oil all work together to ensure that the health of your child is well taken care of. For dogs, especially Labrador retrievers who need higher amounts of high quality, easily digestible sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, adding flax seed oil to their diet can be beneficial. They can end up having healthier coats and skin, as well as a higher resistance to countless diseases.

Obtaining Fatty Acids via Flax Seed Oil

Dog owners can give their pets flax seed oil in either the liquid or capsule form. The liquid form is a more popular method as it is easier to give it to the dog. The liquid can be mixed with the dog’s food or in their water. If you do plan on using the capsules, you would give your dog the tablets by having them swallow it, which could prove to be a bit tricky.

If you are an owner and you do not like giving your dog fatty acid supplements or medication; then it is best if your try some of the medically formulated dog foods. This can be obtained from veterinarians.

Owners who feed their dogs processed dog food often supplement the food with flax seed oil. This is not harmful to the dogs and does supply some essential omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. While flaxseeds or flaxseed oil is not harmful to pets and flaxseed oil is a source of alphalinoleic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is ultimately converted to EPA and DHA.