subject: Is There Enough Fatty Acid In Your Dog's Food [print this page] If your dog is showing signs of carelessness, unhealthy skin and his hair is falling out, maybe he is not receiving the appropriate amounts of fatty acids in his daily diet. We all like our dog to look his best, shiny hair and pink skin, but the lack thereof may not be the groomers fault but your own.
The popular expression "You are what you eat", is also true for dogs. The lack of fatty acids in your dogs intake of food will result in bad hair and unhealthy skin. These acids act as a nutrient for the skin and coat, preventing unwanted conditions like dandruff, and the undesirable cracking dry skin as well.
Fatty Acids (EFA's) have been proven to be a contributing agent to the development of healthy skin and hair coat on dogs, as well as overall health. A couple of examples of types of EFA's that fall into this category are Omega 3 and Omega 6.
However, feeding your dog EFA's may not always be the way to go. For example, the EFA's mentioned above will not have much effect on a dog with perfectly good health, they are mostly meant for dogs which present skin diseases. You should refer to your veterinarian's recommendations before medicating your dog. Fatty Acids are not something the dog's body produces, therefore, when EFA's are recommended by your vet you should also be informed of what form and dosage to use.
When adding Fatty Acids into your dog's diet for skin and coat problems, you should be able to notice the results in one month or less. As time passes under treatment, you will begin to notice more significant changes, and by two months time he should be fully restored.
Branded types of Fatty Acids like Omega 3 and Omega 6 are already present in some higher quality dog foods. When these are used as a nutritional supplement they are said to reduce the risk to heart disease, cancer and improve their joints. Some foods like fish, flax and corn oil can be a natural source for EFA's.
In the end, keep in mind a healthy diet for your dog need not be supplemented. The only way to be sure if your dog is in need of added nutrition is to consult your veterinarian, to whom you should describe any symptoms or conditions present in your dogs appearance or behavior. Avoid medicating your pet, or falling for home remedies you may have heard in the grapevine.
by: Damian Cross
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
