Incorporating Healthy Fats in Your Pet's Diet for Health & Wellness
Have you ever seen your fur baby zooming round the house like they're auditioning for the next superhero movie? Maybe you have a “mature” dog who still has all the energy of a puppy? Or a cat that lives a highly active lifestyle convinced it’s a tiger. Well, check out their pet food ingredients next time you feed them. The combination of omega 3 and omega 6 healthy fats in your pet's food plays an important part in their overall wellness and contributes to this vitality and energy. (That, and a lot of love and attention).
Healthy fats, like Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily ocean fish like salmon or mackerel, are important ingredients that keep your dog's tail wagging and your kitty's paws running full throttle.
What are Healthy Fats?
Omega-3 and 6 healthy fats are the paw-fect sidekicks to your pet's superhero adventures. They're packed with health benefits to keep your furry friend's body healthy and their mind sharp, so they’re ready to tackle any obstacle that comes their way.
The combination of both Omega 3 and Omega 6 healthy fats play a key role in helping your pet absorb essential vitamins A, D, E, and K. With a higher absorption of these vitamins, your pet gains a much stronger immune system. This in turn helps to maintain their cell membrane and deliver vital oxygen and nutrients to their body which aides in the repair and restoration of your pet’s muscles and muscle tissue after a big, active day.
Think of healthy fats as your pet's personal cheerleading squad, cheering them on every step of the way in their journey to a long and healthy life.
Benefits of Healthy Fats in Your Pet's Diet
Healthy fats help form the building blocks of a strong, healthy body. Some of the key benefits to incorporating these in your pet’s diet include:
Energy Boost: Omega-3 and 6 fats provide the necessary energy to sustain and support your pet's daily activities. Whether it's a game of fetch or a leisurely stroll, including healthy fats in your cat or dog’s diet helps to sustain their energy levels and keep them active throughout the day. This is great for their overall cardiovascular health and long-term wellbeing.
Reduce Inflammation: Omega-3 healthy fats have a strong role to play in helping to ease inflammation in cells and joints. This anti-inflammatory quality helps to soothe joint aches and pains but importantly, also helps to reduce the formation of dangerous blood clots in the bloodstream lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.
Brain Development and Cognitive Function: The Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines provide brain-boosting nutrients for your pet. Omega 3 is specifically known to support the health and development of puppies' and kittens' brains as they grow. It supports your pet's cognitive brain function, helping their motor skill and memory to keep their mind sharp, so they’re able to escape danger or master that new trick. Imagine your pet solving puzzles like a furry Einstein!
Benefits of Omega 3 for Pets
Let's tuck into the benefits of omega 3 for your pet, and importantly, the specific ingredients that contain omega 3 healthy fats so you know what to keep an eye out for when on the hunt for a quality pet food that provides this key health and nutritional support for your pet.
Omega 3 fatty acids are commonly found in oily fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines and even green lipped mussels. These fish consume omega 3’s themselves from the algae they feed on. Omega 3 can also be obtained from flaxseed oil, chia seeds and emu oil. Who knew!
The key benefits to your pet consuming this healthy fat on a regular basis include:
Healthy Skin and Shiny Coat: Oily fish and these other oils rich in omega 3 fatty acids help to maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat for both cats and dogs. Regular use can alleviate dry, itchy, flaky skin, leaving your pet's coat looking its best, whether they’re a fluffy tabby or a shaggy retriever.
Digestive Support: Oils high in omega 3 aide in digestion by promoting healthy gut function and helping your pet absorb nutrients more effectively. This can contribute to a balanced digestive system and overall immune wellbeing.
Heart Health: Omega 3 fatty acids promote good cardiovascular health, supporting a strong heart and steady circulation. By incorporating omega 3 oils into your pet’s diet, you’re helping to support their active lifestyle and overall vitality.
Bone Support: Emu oil in particular is rich in essential vitamins A, D, E, F and K2 which helps in the absorption of calcium which plays a part in keeping your pet’s bones and teeth strong. This can be especially helpful in older pets who may be experiencing calcium deficiency.
Joint Support: The anti-inflammatory properties of omega 3 oils like salmon, flaxseed or emu oil can support your pet’s joint and muscle health. These oils contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds that can help manage minor aches and discomfort in pets, particularly those with conditions like arthritis or mild allergies. This can help to maintain mobility in pets of all ages. Whether your pet enjoys a gentle stroll, or a playful pounce, salmon, flaxseed and emu oils can help them stay active and comfortable.
Enhanced Brain Function: DHA, a key component of salmon oil, supports your pet’s cognitive function, helping to keep them mentally sharp. This can be especially beneficial during training sessions or as pets age, contributing to their overall well-being.
Benefits of Omega 6 for Pets
It’s important your pet’s diet incorporates some omega 6 fats, but this one is best served in moderation.
Omega 6 is mostly consumed from vegetable oils and seeds but can also be found in foods like eggs. It’s important to note that too much omega 6 or consuming a diet high in omega 6 but low in the healthier cousin omega 3, or where pets are less mobile and don’t get enough exercise, can occasionally lead to high cholesterol or obesity in some cats and dogs.
That said! The health benefits of omega 6 foods in your pet’s diet include:
Vitamin E Power: Omega 6 oils are a great source of vitamin E which plays an important role in supporting your pet’s cellular health, helping to boosts their immune system.
Digestive Health: Omega 6 can help to improve your pet's digestion and aid in a healthy, regular stool.
Considerations of Including Omega 3 and Omega 6 in Your Pets Diet
It's important to be mindful of potential risks when introducing any new food into your pet's diet. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when it comes to omega 3 and 6:
Overfeeding omega 6: As we’ve outlined above, a diet high in omega 6 can have the potential to lead to weight gain especially in less active, or older pets, so it's important to find the right balance. Ensuring a good ratio of the healthier omega 3 fats while also monitoring your pet's weight and adjusting their diet as needed will help to maintain their cardiovascular health and overall healthy physique.
Allergies or Sensitivities: Keep an eye out for any adverse reactions when introducing any new food. Start with small amounts and watch for signs of allergies, such as itching, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Our Paw Pantry palatability guidance is to gradually, over the course of 10 days, aim for a blend that is initially 75% your pet’s current food and 25% the new food you’re trying them on. Gradually shift this ratio to 50-50, then 75-25, and finally 100% the new food. If you notice any of the symptoms noted, consult your vet for guidance.
Balanced Nutrition: Healthy fats are just one part of a balanced diet. Ensure your pet is getting a variety of nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins, to support their overall health and well-being. We’ve done the leg work for you here, to help make finding a balanced, nutritious pet food easy. Our Paw Pantry pet food ranges are all created by expert pet food nutritionists who understand the unique diet of cats and dogs, kittens and puppies and they work hard to ensure the perfect balance of essential nutrients and feeding guidelines so pet owners have peace of mind they’re serving their pet a complete and balanced meal.
Quality Control: Choose pet foods that include reputable sources for their ingredients to ensure your pet receives the highest quality nutrition. Our Paw Pantry Hypro Premium, Pure Life, and other pet food ranges, all include a lineup of healthy fats from flaxseed, fish, and emu oils and we pride ourselves on sourcing pet foods with locally sourced ingredients.
In summary, incorporating healthy fats in your cat and dog’s diet gives them paw-some health and wellbeing advantages they deserve. At Paw Pantry, we're dedicated to helping you give your pets the best life possible. With our range of nutritious pet food, your furry friends will be full of energy and love you fur-ever.
Remember, a healthy pet is a happy pet, and that's what we're all about at Paw Pantry!
By Team Paw Journals on 14 October, 2024