Omega Fatty Acids

There is an increasing awareness among pet owners that certain fatty acids are beneficial to a pet's health. Along with this awareness comes the question, "which fatty acids are important and why?"

Although answering this question tends to be technical, it helps increase our knowledge of the role proper nutrition plays in the lives of our pets. Understanding fatty acid nutrition begins with defining nonessential and essential fatty acids. Nonessential fatty acids can be synthesized within the body of a dog or cat and are not required in its diet. Essential fatty acids cannot be synthesized by a pet and must be supplied in its diet.

Dogs require one essential fatty acid (linoleic acid), while cats require two (linoleic and arachidonic acid). Both linoleic and arachidonic acids are classified as "omega-6" fatty acids based on their molecular structure. These fatty acids are found primarily in grain and animal fat and are provided at appropriate levels in high-quality pet foods to:

• help regulate the blood flow to body tissues
• aid in clotting after an injury
• aid in normal reproduction
• help a pet's immune system respond to injury and infection
• help a normal, healthy pet maintain a handsome haircoat and healthy skin.

Another important class of fatty acids are the omega-3 fatty acids. Although structurally similar to omega-6 fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids are not currently considered essential in companion animal nutrition.

Because of their structural similarities, omega-6 and omega-3 compete for the enzymes which convert these fatty acids into their respective metabolites, which serve as cellular signals important in a variety of biological processes including immune function, blood clotting and inflammation. Despite the similarities between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, their respective metabolites differ in intensity as cellular signals. The omega-6 derived signals are generally more potent than those derived from omega-3 fatty acids.

The potential of omega-3 fatty acids contributing to the health of our pets is promising. A growing body of scientific research suggests that this class of fatty acids may benefit pets during certain life stages or when suffering from certain diseases. These studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to help:

• manage severe inflammation associated with certain skin disorders
• support the proper development of the nervous system and visual acuity
• aid in the remission and decrease the side effects of lymphoma.

A difference in the dietary requirements of dogs and cats is found in their utilization of linoleic acid. If provided at proper levels, dogs can produce all other needed fatty acids. Cats, however, cannot produce all other fatty acids they require from linoleic acid and require the addition of an omega-6 component, arachidonic acid, to their diets.

Understanding what omega-6 can do for pets and the potential benefits omega-3 may offer is a bit complicated, however, the bottom line is that at proper levels and in proper balance in pet food diets, these fatty acids provide health benefits to our pets.

In addition, dietary fat provides other important functions in a pet's diet. It supplies a concentrated form of energy, contributes to the palatability and texture of a pet food, and carries the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K and E.

A final thought: It's good to know that nutrition research scientists continue to learn even more about how pet food diets can be formulated to be beneficial to our cherished companions.