Here's Why Flaxseed Oil For Dogs Is So Beneficial
Not only is flaxseed oil particularly beneficial to us humans, flaxseed oil for dogs also have significant health advantages.
Pet food has come on a long way in recent years and manufacturers have done a good job in producing dog food that contains a good balanced diet of vitamins, minerals and essential oily fats.
But because dog food is highly processed they tend to have very little quantities of omega-3 essential fatty acids. This is because it goes rancid too quickly and will spoil.
Subsequent omega 3 deficiencies in a dog can lead to a number of health problems such as dry, flaky skin, dull coat, heart disease, inflammatory and immune disorders, allergies, arthritis and even cancer.
Why Flaxseed Oil for Dogs and Not 'Fish Oil'?
Just like humans, fish products can be particularly distasteful to dogs and they might even have an allergy to it.
Flaxseed oil not only provides the same essential fatty acids as fish oil, it also contains a whole host of other beneficial compounds, that will improve your dogs overall health. In particular soluble and non-soluble fiber which keeps your dogs circulatory and digestive system clear and healthy.
You might also want to read my article - Flaxseed Oil vs Fish Oil which explains why you should always favor flaxseed oil over fish oil.
Health Benefits of Flaxseed Oil for Dogs
Adding flaxseed oil to your dogs daily diet can significantly improve and treat a number of medical conditions:
Skin Problems and Dull Coat
One of the most common medical problems dogs experience is a dry, flaking, red, inflamed itching skin. This results in a dull coat and patches of lost fur.
These symptoms are a classic sign of a lack of essential fatty acids in a dog's diet. Vets have long endorsed and promoted EFA’s to rectify this problem and within just 2 or 3 weeks of adding flaxseed oil to your dog's diet will almost always see an improvement in the condition of their coat.
Poor coat condition and bad skin irritations are the number one reason people turn to flaxseed oil for dogs and it plain and simply works.
Arthritis and Inflammatory Disease
When I was young, our Golden Retriever dog suffered terribly from arthritis in her hind legs. I only wish my parents knew about flaxseed oil for dogs in preventing this painful, debilitating condition.
Around 25% of all dogs will develop arthritis at some point in their life and this is mainly due to the lack of essential fatty acids which helps prevent inflammation.
Inflammatory disease such as bowel disease or arthritis can be prevented and even treated with the introduction of flaxseed oil for dogs in their daily diet.
Other Medical Conditions in Dogs Treated with Flaxseed Oil
Apart from the main two conditions mentioned above, research has shown that giving flaxseed oil to dogs can benefit them in other areas, such as;
Preventing Heart Disease - Flaxseed oil can help prevent the build up of blood clots in the arteries and therefore help reduce the chance of heart attacks.
Cancer Treatment – Flax seeds are rich in lignans, which are proteins that contain anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties. These lignans boost the immune system and work by slowing down the growth and spread of cancer or by even preventing it in the first place.
Flaxseed oil has also been shown to shrink tumors in dogs. Flaxseed oil benefits have the same health effects on humans as it does on dogs.
How Much Flaxseed Oil Should I Give to My Dog?
Simply pour a few tablespoons of flaxseed oil over your dogs food each day. You should expect to see your dogs coat looking vibrant and healthy within just a few weeks.
To ensure your dog has enough essential fatty acids, continue to add a small amount of flaxseed oil to their daily diet. This may help to prevent future medical problems such as the ones mentioned above.
Where Can I Buy Flaxseed Oil for Dogs?
Most pet stores supply flaxseed oil for dogs even though it may come in a bottle as a combined cat and dog treatment. It is also used for horses.
But to be honest, there’s no difference in buying a flaxseed oil for dogs product as there is buying any good flaxseed oil and also giving it to your dog. Plus you will save yourself some money in the process as dog flaxseed oil tends to be slightly more expensive!
So both you and your dog can benefit equally by getting a good quality flax oil and consuming it daily.
I can certainly recommend Barlean’s Organic Flax Oil which can be bought online. It has got some rave reviews and gets almost five stars out of five at Amazon.
Word of Warning
Flaxseed oil turns rancid quite quickly, so make sure you store it in a dry, cool place, preferably the refrigerator. Trust me, you'll know when it turns bad as it smells horrible!
If you don’t want to buy the oil, but still want the benefits of flax seed for your dog, you can just as easily sprinkle some ground flax seed over your dogs food or with their treats.
Conclusion
Flaxseed oil for dogs is a great way to increase the essential fatty acids in their diet as well as adding a number of other healthy compounds not found in fish. Your dog will be fitter, healthier and happier for it!
Check out this video about how flaxseed oil for dogs and how it can benefits their skin and coat:
