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Written by: Sarah Seward-Langdon
Published on: 09/20/2023
If you’re just beginning your journey as a pet parent, all the information can be overwhelming. You’ve probably read up a lot about nutrition, training, general health information, and much more.
In this blog, we’ll be focusing on a key part of canine nutrition. Now if you’ve already read a bit about nutrition for dogs, you’ve likely already heard the term “essential fatty acids” (EFAs) being thrown around. And you may even recognize this term since it’s also related to human nutrition.
If you haven’t, don’t worry! We’ll go over the basics before diving into the main question revolving around puppies and EFAs.
There are a lot of sources who talk about essential fatty acids for adult dogs, but what about puppies? Can these young canines also benefit from essential fatty acids, and how would you go about incorporating these into their diet?
EFAs are fats that are essential for dogs to have, as their name probably relays to you. However, dogs’ bodies cannot produce the essential fatty acids on their own, so EFAs must be obtained through diet.
The 2 primary types of essential fatty acids are omega-3 and omega-6. These fatty acids are critical for the overall well-being of mammals, including humans, adult dogs, and yes, even puppies.
There are 3 types of omega-3 fatty acids—all of them are considered essential in different quantities [1]:
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): Mostly plant-based
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): Mostly marine-based
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): Mostly marine-based
In contrast, there’s only one type of omega-6 fatty acid to look out for [1]:
Linoleic Acid (LA): Mostly found in most plant and animal fats and oils
Did you know that without the proper amount of EFAs, your puppy could run into a slew of problematic health issues. These include health concerns like poor skin condition, abnormal growth, or even weakened immune system [2].
Which leads us to the next big question…
Just like in human babies, the brains of puppies are rapidly developing [3]. Essential fatty acids, particularly the omega-3 fatty acid known as DHA, have been shown to be crucial for cognitive development. DHA aids in the formation of neural networks, helping to improve learning (i.e. trainability) and memory skills [4].
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids also play a vital role in strengthening the immune system. For puppies, who are still building their immune defenses, essential fatty acids can provide an extra layer of protection against infections and diseases [3].
One of the most noticeable benefits of essential fatty acids in dogs is the improvement of skin and coat quality. A deficiency in essential fatty acids can lead to dry, flaky skin and a dull, brittle coat [5].
For a puppy, good skin and coat health is not only about looking good but also serves as the first line of defense against external pathogens.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
Many high-quality puppy foods are already enriched with essential fatty acids. When choosing a commercial puppy food, look for those that list fish oil, flaxseed, or other sources of essential fatty acids in their ingredients.
If you're feeding a homemade diet or believe that your puppy could benefit from additional EFAs, supplements are an option.
Fish oil capsules or liquid supplements designed specifically for dogs are readily available. If you’re looking for a plant-based alternative, whether it’s due to lifestyle choice or allergies, there are lots of options on the market. For instance, take a look at Smart Earth Camelina Oil for a high-quality, sustainable EFAs supplement.
However, always consult your veterinarian before adding any supplements to your puppy’s diet.
Another way to add EFAs into your puppies diet is giving them natural sources. You can add specific whole ingredients into your dog’s diet to help them get the fats they need.
Foods like fatty fish (salmon, sardines), flaxseeds, and chia seeds are rich in essential fatty acids. Again, consult your vet for appropriate serving sizes.
While essential fatty acids offer numerous benefits, it’s important to exercise caution.
Are you unsure if your dog is getting too much? Watch for some of these symptoms of omega overdosing:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Weight gain
Altered immune function
Always consult your veterinarian for appropriate dosages and before starting any new supplements. Monitor your puppy for any adverse reactions, such as diarrhea or skin rashes, and adjust their diet accordingly.
Essential fatty acids can offer a range of health benefits to puppies, from cognitive development and immune system support to improved skin and coat health. However, as with any aspect of your pet’s health, a balanced approach is crucial.
Always consult your veterinarian before making significant changes to your puppy’s diet or introducing supplements.
By being informed and taking a balanced approach, you can help ensure that your puppy grows into a healthy, happy adult dog, thriving on a diet that includes the essential fatty acids crucial for its well-being.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
Sarah is a marketing specialist with a passion for anything creative! Her openness to working across industries and job opportunities has allowed her to gain enormous amounts of experience in graphic design, video production, and written content creation. Animals have a special place in her heart as she grew up with cats and now owns her own Alaskan Malamute. She has spent the last couple of years in Vancouver working with different companies within the pet industry and gained valuable knowledge about the ins and outs of the (alternative) pet food industry, supplementation, and various training methods. When she’s not digitally creating content for pet lovers to consume, she’s out eating great food, dancing at drop-in classes, or exploring the beautiful Canadian scenery with her fur-child Miso.
