Benefits Of Salmon Oil For The Diet In Dogs
Salmon for the diet in dogs has a great nutritional interest and clear advantages over other foods, such as meat. It has a low caloric value with a minimal fat intake –although of very high quality– and a high protein density.
It contributes to the diet low amounts of cholesterol and a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids. An example is omega-3, which protects against cardiovascular disease.
Not all salmon have the same nutritional value, nor the same concentration of omega-3s. The most interesting are king salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) and sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka ), compared to keta salmon ( Oncorhynchus keta ) and pink salmon ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha ).
What’s so special about salmon oil?
Salmon oil for the diet in dogs is a natural product, whose form of extraction is cold, so it is an unprocessed food. It has a high concentration of omega-3 essential fatty acids, such as eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and 12% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
The fatty acid EPA is a precursor of eicosanoids, which is involved in many body functions. They regulate, for example, the production and function of cytokines. These are proteins that moderate the production of some cell types, which is why they intervene in diseases such as cancer. In addition, they reduce the body’s inflammatory response and reduce weight loss.
On the other hand, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) prevents neurodegenerative diseases and the natural wear and tear of the dog’s brain.
Also, salmon oil provides many minerals and vitamins, even more than other foods of animal origin. It is a rich source of vitamin D, very necessary to keep the dog’s bones strong. It also contains vitamin E, which is a good antioxidant, as well as vitamin A, excellent for cell regeneration.
Benefits of salmon oil in the diet in dogs
In addition to the clearly visual effects that salmon oil produces in the diet for dogs – such as silkier and shinier hair – this substance has other attributes. Salmon oil prevents and improves many ailments and diseases, such as:
- Improves blood pressure in those dogs that suffer from hypertension. This is because it expands the blood vessels.
- Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, it counteracts joint swelling in rheumatic arthritis.
- Prevents strokes.
- Primary osteoporosis does not usually occur in dogs, as it does in humans. However, dogs can suffer from osteomalacia or rickets in adulthood due to lack of mineralization. Salmon oil prevents and improves this disease.
- Relieves kidney problems.
- Helps weight loss in obese animals. Also, it lowers blood sugar.
- For those dogs with cholesterol, it helps reduce high levels of fat in the blood, although it should always be combined with a healthy lifestyle.
- Reduces and prevents cardiovascular problems in dogs.
- Improves the dog’s hearing health. Prevents inflammatory problems and ear infections.
How to give salmon oil to a dog?
The best way to include any new food in the diet of dogs is to do it as naturally as possible. For those guardians who offer their pet a BARF diet, they only have to include salmon once or twice a week. Not only the fat of the salmon is beneficial, but the whole animal.
Guardians who feed their dogs feed and other food formats will be able to find cold-pressed salmon oil on the market. As we said, it is a very natural, rich and healthy product for pets. The oil can be mixed with feed or with wet food.
For people whose dogs may suffer from a blood clotting disorder, they should ask their veterinarian if they can include salmon in their diet. This food has a high concentration of vitamin K, which prevents blood clotting.
