From Alpha to Omega
Well, our mothers were right when they said that it’s important to take your fish oil, because it’s good for you from the inside out. Dr. Oz promotes fish oil all the time. So why is it so important for us? The reason is because fish oil contains the polyunsaturated fatty acids – Omega-3 and Omega-6. These fatty acids are touted for helping to improve blood cholesterol levels by lowering LDL – the “bad” cholesterol, and helping to lower blood pressure levels, just to name a few benefits. Omega-3 and Omega-6’s are essential fatty acids, meaning our bodies need them to function. However, we can’t make these essential fatty acids on our own, we must get them from the food we eat. We need to eat good sources of fish like wild salmon, trout, sardines, anchovies, herring, mackerel or seaweed, OR take supplements in order to get the DHA we need. Salmon oil, in particular, is very high in Omega-3 fatty acids which are extremely beneficial to your health.
Omega-3’s have been found to be very beneficial for many different conditions for humans. Well, it’s the same for our pets.
As dogs and cats age, they face an increased risk of issues including stiffening joints, loss of energy and stamina, and heart health. These issues may be reduced by a diet supplemented with readily accessible long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids which are necessary for almost every function in your pet’s body. They work on the cellular level, from the inside out.
Like with humans, essential fatty acids are critically important to your pet’s overall health and vitality because they provide essential nutrients necessary for them to thrive. However, they can’t be made by your pet’s body and must be supplied by their diet. The most important of these fatty acids for pets, are the long chain Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, found in cold water fish oils. These have a much higher immediate bioavailability than Omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources.
What’s the difference between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids?
Omega-6 fatty acids are found in vegetable oil, sunflower oil and safflower oil – oils common in most pet food diets. Omega-3 fatty acids however, are found in either fresh wild caught cold water fish or types of seaweed. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and Omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory. In a typical pet’s diet today, the ratio is about 1:40 (Omega-3’s to Omega-6’s) which is actually a pro-inflammatory diet. By adding a good fish oil to your pet’s diet, you increase the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids in their diet achieving a preferred 13:1 ratio of over 15 heart-healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
Salmon oil is probably the most important supplement you can add to your pet’s diet, because the Omega-3 fatty acids provide widespread benefits. By increasing the amount of good oils in your pet’s diet, you’re supporting overall optimum health and vitality for your dogs and cats.
How can I tell if an Omega-3 supplement is making a difference?
With consistent use, you will begin to see the following changes:
- An overall improvement in the health of their skin (which by the way is the largest organ in our pet’s body)
- A huge improvement in the quality of their skin and coat shown by:
- reduced itching
- reduced shedding
- less sensitive skin (reduced redness and less “hot to the touch”)
- a lustrous, huggable coat
Why pawTree® Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil?
- We use wild-caught salmon. The difference is that salmon caught in the ocean are living vibrant, healthy lives. Farm-raised salmon, on the other hand, are held in captivity, meaning a large volume of fish in a crowded area being fed the bare-minimum to be kept alive and reproducing. This living environment causes substantial stress on those fish. That stress relates to the biochemicals that those fish release, so a wild-caught salmon provides a better fish oil than farm-raised salmon.
- Our salmon are brought in fresh, not frozen. They’re caught in the coastal areas and are only on the boat for a short time.
- The oil is extracted quickly from the salmon with contact time of only 5-7 minutes vs. other plants that take between 1-2 hours. That’s important because less contact time with proteins results in a lighter color oil (redder vs. brown), a lighter better flavor, and nicer aroma.
- Our salmon oil has a preferred 13:1 ratio of over 15 heart-healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids.
- We package our salmon oil in PET bottle material which provides a good barrier to oxygen, water and carbon dioxide.
- We use a pump to reduce exposure to oxygen.
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Dogs and cats LOVE the taste of our Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil.
Remember, not all salmon oil is the same. It’s very important to choose carefully to ensure you’re providing your pets the preferred 13:1 ratio.
About Brooke…
Brooke Sloate, Director of Product Development at pawTree LLC, is passionate about solving problems for pets and creating products that truly make a difference to pet parents.
With over 20 years of experience in the pet industry working for a variety of pet companies prior to pawTree®, including Nature’s Variety®, Hill’s®, Mars®, Petmate®, Applica® and Sergeant’s®, Brooke has developed a wide range of innovative pet products including pet food, treats, and pet accessories.
Brooke enjoys the unconditional love of her family of Shih Tzus and responds by spoiling them every chance she gets!
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