Pet diets are formulated by animal and veterinary nutritionists to meet the nutritional needs of our pets. However, some of the ingredients in pet foods may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition (functional ingredients). This includes omega fatty acids, which contribute to healthy skin, a shiny coat and general well-being.
What are omega fatty acids?
Nutrients — the parts of food necessary for life — are divided into six categories: water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. While “fats” tends to make us think of an unhealthy diet, fats (also called lipids) actually play an important role in your pet’s health. Fats provide a source of energy, transport fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and protect the body by insulating against heat loss, cushioning vital organs and minimizing bacterial and viral invasion.
Fatty acids are components of fats that are key building blocks of cell membranes, sources of concentrated energy, and precursors to certain hormones and chemical signals. Characteristics of fatty acids are used to assign them to groups, such as omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are important for cell membrane structure and integrity, skin health, growth, reproduction, and blood fat transport. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for healthy skin and flexibility of cell membranes, development and function of the brain and retina (part of the eye).
Essential fatty acids
Like amino acids, some fatty acids are considered essential and must be provided in your pet’s food because they cannot be synthesized by the body or cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities to meet nutritional requirements. The omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, is an essential fatty acid for dogs and cats found in ingredients like sunflower oil and millet.
While dogs can convert linoleic acid to arachidonic acid — another omega-6 fatty acid required by the body — cats lack the enzyme that facilitates this reaction. This makes arachidonic acid, which plays an important role in cell membranes, cell signaling and inflammation, an essential fatty acid for cats. Animal tissues contain large amounts of arachidonic acid, while plants contain little or none. This is why it is important that cat foods contain animal-derived ingredients such as poultry fat to provide a source of arachidonic acid.
The omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is an essential fatty acid found in ingredients like flax seeds, chia seeds, and canola oil. Two other omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are abundant in cold-water fish (salmon, mackerel, halibut) and their oils, as well as oil krill and seaweed products.
healthy skin
Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids help maintain healthy skin. In the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin), linoleic acid is incorporated into ceramides; a family of natural waxy lipids found in cell membranes. Ceramides are part of the epidermal barrier matrix that helps control water loss and protects the body against environmental allergens and pathogenic microorganisms. Arachidonic acid, EPA and DHA are all found in cell membranes which also help maintain a healthy skin structure.
Inflammation and disease response
Omega fatty acids also play a role in inflammation and immune response. For example, if omega-3 fatty acids are present during skin damage, the compounds produced due to cell membrane damage are less pro-inflammatory and may reduce an allergic condition or inflammation.
Some research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids from marine fish oil may benefit dogs with kidney failure. Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce pressure in the glomeruli (the kidney structures that filter blood when making urine) and improve the elimination of creatinine (a key waste product), thereby improving renal function.
By reducing inflammation, EPA and DHA can also help reduce the number of free radicals produced. Although they are a normal product of cellular activity, free radicals can be harmful to cells and tissues if produced in excess. The synergistic benefits of omega-3 fatty acids with antioxidants – substances that neutralize free radicals – can be seen in cases of chronic kidney disease. Kidney-friendly diets with omega-3 fatty acids and increased levels of antioxidants are more effective at slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease than omega-3s or antioxidants alone.
Brain and vision development
Studies have shown that DHA is important for brain and vision development in young puppies and kittens. In adult nursing dogs and cats, DHA is passed from mother to puppy or kitten through breast milk.
Pet Foods Sources of Omega Fatty Acids
Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can come from a number of different plant and animal ingredients in your pet’s food. Below are some examples of ingredients in Diamond pet food formulas that are a source of essential omega fatty acids for healthy skin, shiny coat and overall well-being.
If you’re wondering about an ingredient in a Diamond brand dog or cat food and why it’s there, be sure to check out our Ingredient Glossary or contact a Product Specialist here.
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