Including Eco-Friendly Omega-3 in Your Puppy’s Diet

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Dr. Serge Martinod, DVM, PhD, is the CEO of Arcanatura LLC, a green pet care company specializing in holistic veterinary products for dogs, cats and horses. He is a practiced veterinarian who specializes in natural pet health and healing pet allergies. Here, Dr. Martinod discusses the importance of Omega-3 in the canine diet, even at the puppy stage.

Raising a new puppy is an exciting time filled with tail wagging, training, teething and lots of kisses. Among all of the fun and chaos of bringing home a new furry friend, knowledge of the correct health care for baby animals is crucial for new pet owners. Omega-3 DHA is a vital supplement for developing animals since it is not supplied elsewhere in most normal pet diets.  Read on to learn more about Omega-3 and it’s super health benefits for your puppy.

So, what exactly is Omega-3?

There are three major Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids: alpha linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA.

• ALA is not produced by your dog’s body. It is found in leafy plants, flaxseed, walnuts and canola oil. -Humans and dogs have limited ability to convert ALA in EPA and DHA.

• DHA and EPA can only be found in fish oil, fish and other seafood and some types of algae. Omega-3 DHA sourced from algae (plant-based Omega-3) is proven to be healthier and more eco-friendly.

Why does my puppy need it?

DHA is one of the major building blocks of the brain, an absolutely essential nutrient for the developing brain, and is also crucial for optimal retinal function (eyesight).  Supplementation with high-quality Omega-3 DHA is recommended at a daily dose of 8mg/kg for young dogs and should be continued at least until 6 months of age. The processing of commercial food makes any pet foods claiming to contain DHA and EPA inactive, so unless your puppy is getting an Omega-3 supplement, they are not getting enough of this essential nutrient.

What to look for:

Eco-friendly Omega-3 Always provide your puppy with a reputable product that uses a quality, sustainable source with a high DHA content. Relying on fish oil as an Omega-3 source has two major issues: toxicity (mercury, pesticide etc.) and sustainability (promotes overfishing). The oceans have become over-contaminated with industrial and human waste like heavy metals and chemicals like pesticides.

By going directly to the source and drawing DHA from algae, the plant through which fish obtain DHA, your pet is provided with a clean, concentrated supplement. Puppies are extremely sensitive to toxins, so it is vital to provide your little one with the most pure, concentrated Omega-3 supplement available.