One of the keys for raising a healthy and happy dog is making sure that your fluffy friend is getting enough nutrients from his or her diet. Just like you, your pet might not absorb all the essential fatty acids properly or can be allergic to specific foods that prevent your dog from receiving proper nutrition.
Luckily, a great way to ensure your four-legged friends maintain a healthy, well-balanced and complete diet is to provide necessary supplements to their daily diet. While standard dog food is packed with plenty of vitamins, minerals and other dietary nutrients, you can give your dog's dietary regimen a boost and ensure to promote optimum health with certain healthy oils. This article will draw attention to the top eight natural oils that can be beneficial for your dog's diet. However, make sure to discuss all changes in the diet regimen of your dog with your vet prior to giving these oils.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has grown in popularity among humans as it is considered a healthier alternative to the more processed saturated and trans fats, and the same applies to your fluffy friend. Coconut oil is easy to digest and contains over 90% of healthy saturated fat with smaller amounts of a couple of unsaturated fatty acids. Most of the saturated fats are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which have an ever-growing list of health benefits.
Coconut oil has also been shown to give dogs more energy, improve digestion and cognitive function and help them lose weight. It also can prevent infection, offer relief to dry skin and promote better breath!
CBD Oil
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural supplement intended to help in alleviating various mental and physical disbalances. It also possesses neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflanti-inflammatoryanti-inflanti-inflammatoryammatoryammatory properties. CBD oil for dogs can be an effective supplement for anxiety and pain relief, improved appetite and reduced risk of nausea and vomiting.
CBD oil is also a high source of essential nutrients. It is packed with fibre, protein, various antioxidants and multiplemultiplemultiplemultiplemultiplemultiplemultiplemultiple different vitamins, such as B- complex vitamins and vitamin E and minerals such as calcium, zinc and iron. Daily intake of CBD oil can help to maintain a well-balanced and complete diet. You can purchase various optioptionsoptioptionsonsoptioptionsoptioptionsonsonsons of CBD products specially designed for dogs, such as oils, tinctures and different dog treats. However, to find the best CBD oil, make sure to opt for a reliable and trustworthy source and do a little research about the chosen company.
Sunflower Oil
A wonderful source of omega-6 fatty acids, sunflower oil, can give your best buddy energy, improve heart health and the immune function and keep that skin moisturised.
This oil is commonly used to add extra shine to coats as many dogs cannot synthesise linoleic acid (LA) properly, therefore, they need a dietary source or supplements to promote a healthy coat and skin.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is loaded with two key omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which helps to decrease inflammation and muscle loss, alleviate arthritis and improve kidney function and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which plays a key role in learning, development and vision.
Therefore, a diet with fish oil addition can help to protect the heart and slow down the progression of kidney disease, lower blood triglyceride levels and enhance neurologic development and cognitive function. It also can aid arthritic joints and provide support for flaky or dry skin in allergy dogs.
Flaxseed Oil
Fatty acids are high sources of nutritional supplements, which play a crucial role in a dog's diet as well as help to treat different ailments. Luckily, flaxseed oil contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and can be a great fish oil substitute for dogs who have reactions or allergies to fish.
It can help to reduce inflammation and blood pressure, improve kidney function and digestion. Flaxseed oil is also beneficial for improving mobility in arthritic pets and promoting a healthy immune system and a shiny, healthy coat and skin.
Olive Oil
Olive oil possesses potent antioxidant properties due to polyphenols, vitamin E, carotenoids and chlorophyll content. It can be effective in reducing the symptoms of cardiovascular disease and diabetes and improving the immune system.
Olive oil is known to break down fat inside fat cells and is especially beneficial for dogs that are overweight. It can also be beneficial for those dogs that cannot tolerate omega-3 or 6 fatty acids due to gastrointestinal upset.
Cod Liver Oil
Compared to regular fish oil, cod liver oil includes lower levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, yet higher levels of vitamins A and D. Since fat is essential for the proper absorption of these vitamins, it is better to add oil to your dog's food. Cod liver might be great for pets that do not need to add large amounts of fatty acids to their diet regimen.
Cod liver oil can help to decrease whole-body inflammation, relieve pain, improve heart health, support brain and eye development, soothe itchy skin related to allergies and maintain a healthy coat.
Krill Oil
Unlike fish oil, which comes from the higher parts of the food chain, krill oil is obtained from small, shrimp-like organisms. Since smaller fish have less mercury in their bodies, your dog is less likely to be contaminated with mercury. It is also packed with EPA and DHA and will help to improve the health of your pet's joints and skin.
However, this oil is not typically recommended for pets as it can create an imbalanced amount of vitamins in the system compared to fatty acids. Make sure to talk to your veterinarian to find out if krill oil is right for your dog.
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