Omega 3s for dog allergies

If you are a dog owner you may face situations where your dog is showing signs of allergies but you don't know where to start. The obvious answer is to go to the veterinarian and have allergy testing done of some sort. We fully believe this is the proper thing in the situation, but along with this, there are things you could be doing to help reduce the symptoms and effect of these allergic reactions.

Omega 3s are part of a balanced dog diet that is not naturally made by their bodies which means they need it to enter their body through food or supplements. One thing omegas can help with is actually reducing the symptoms of dog allergies. By giving Omega 3 for dogs to your furry friend you can actually help reduce the severity of any allergic symptoms.

There are three main types of omegas that can all help a dogs diet for the better and this will actually lead to an improvement in both their bodily health and their resistance to allergens. These are Omega 3, Omega 6, and Omega 9 which all come together to form a super boost to the health of both humans and dogs. Omegas are all fatty acids 3 and 6 are unsaturated and 9 is monosaturated. Each one is a little different in the way it works and where it comes from but they are all great individually for a dogs health.

Omega 3 is first on our list and many people believe it is the more important of the bunch. Omega 3s are vital to the diet of a dog due to the simple fact that they don't produce this in their body much like the other omegas on the list. The thing that is unique about Omega 3’s is the inclusion of Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These three compounds are necessary for a healthy diet and even have anti-inflammatory properties which help the body out and even fights allergies.   

In contrast to Omega 3s is the Omega 6s which are similar but have a different acid that is just as necessary in the body. This is known as linoleic acid and is just as important in a proper diet as anything in the Omega 3s. When combined with omega 3, Omega 6 become the other piece to the equation. Where Omega 3s were anti-inflammatories Omega 6s are Inflammatories which can be essential for the immune responses in a dog. Both together in a balanced diet help keep the dog at tip-top health and can reduce allergy symptoms tremendously.

The last Omega on the list is Omega 9 which are the monosaturated fatty acids. The big thing that is different about this Omega other than the chemistry portion is that it is produced naturally in a dogs body meaning it is not needed in a proper diet. This being said there are studies that show this Omega 9 fatty acid has many health benefits attached to it. One of these includes inflammation which is important for arthritic pain reduction and allergies!

Omega 3 for dogs do many things regarding the help of your four-legged friend, one of these being allergies. Dogs who suffer allergies are often suffering from inflammation either in their respiratory system, skin/body, or both. The reason Omega 3s are so good for this is the fact that they are anti-inflammatory and can help counteract some of the problems a dog may face. Additionally, Omega 3s can actually help build immunity to dog allergies when taken consistently. This study done by the University of Southamptonshowed the effect Omega 3s had on young children and it actually reduced the risk of allergic disease.

Omega 6, on the other hand, is not necessarily helpful when dealing with allergies but is still essential to keep the body regulated. Omega 6s counteract omega 3 for dogs by keeping inflammation available for issues that need it. When looking for a supplement to help with allergies you want more Omega 3s than Omega 6s, approximately 2:1. This will make sure you are utilizing the full value of your fatty acids without missing out on one.

Lastly, Omega 9s are not necessary to include per se but the dog's body can still benefit from gaining more than it produces. These Omegas are responsible for managing health problems related to cholesterol and blood sugar in the body. Though these are the least important of the three they are still important to keep the body regulated and working at 100%. If these are in a supplement for your dog's allergies it should be in a smaller dose due to the nature of it.

Omegas can be a great option to help your dog's allergies stay away while also supporting a healthy diet. If you are looking for a way to get one or all of these Omegas there are some great options to choose from! First, there is Salmon oil for dogs which is the best source of Omega 3 for dogs. Salmon oil is super simple to use and can be added to the dogs daily food or even taken straight. The option that we tend to prefer is giving our dogs an Omega 3-6-9 supplement. The one we use is from Natural Doggie and comes as a chew that is filled with the proper distribution of Omegas in it.

If Omegas seem like a good option to help your dogs allergies we highly recommend trying them out! It is wise to contact your veterinarian to make sure they will work properly with your dog as some may not need it! If you already use Omegas for your dogs feel free to leave your story in the comments and as always feel free to share this article with your friends!

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