Inflammation in dogs can simultaneously be the root cause of a host of illnesses and the trigger that causes others to worsen. Enter omega-3 fish oil. Keep reading to find out how it works and why fish oil is the best natural anti-inflammatory for your dog.
What Causes Chronic Inflammation In Dogs?
In general, inflammation can be a normal and healthy part of your dog’s immune response. When in check, it helps the body kill infections and repair wounds.
Normal inflammation happens when the body detects a problem and it sends extra white blood cells to the area to repair damaged tissue or fight off bacteria, viruses, or toxins. The affected area may become red, swell, or feel hot to the touch.This is altogether different from chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a real problem that calls for a proactive solution.
Sometimes inflammation lingers longer than it should, or when there’s no real threat to your dog’s body. As a result, it can lower your fur friend’s quality of life. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a variety of conditions, including:
Hip dysplasia: This serious condition occurs during the growth phase. When the head of your dog’s thigh bone and the socket in their pelvis don’t grow at the same rate, hip dysplasia occurs. This leads to painful inflammation. Your dog will show weakness and pain in their hind legs. They may wobble when they try to stand or be reluctant to climb stairs.
Periodontal disease: This is one of the most common (and preventable) conditions affecting dogs. Over time, an accumulation of tartar and plaque can trigger inflammation in your pup’s mouth. If left untreated, it can result in gum infections, bone loss, and loss of teeth.
Digestive problems: Chronic inflammation in your pup’s digestive tract can result in vomiting, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, rapid weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies.
Cognitive dysfunction: Chronic inflammation can even affect your pup’s brain. As your dog ages, chronic inflammation can affect their cognitive abilities. Personality changes, losing house training, and wandering aimlessly at night can all be symptoms of cognitive dysfunction.
Allergies: Like humans, some dogs suffer from allergies seasonally or year-round. Constant scratching is a tell-tale sign of allergies in your dog. While your dog’s skin may be primarily affected, one source suggests that at least 15% of affected dogs also develop inflammation inside of their nose and asthma!
These are just a few medical conditions related to chronic inflammation. Other serious conditions like diabetes, cancer, and kidney failure have also been associated with inflammation. If your dog suffers from these ailments, your veterinarian will provide expert advice and a treatment plan to address your pup’s needs. This may include prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medications to help control any pain and discomfort.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can be a safe way to treat your dog’s inflammation. But they can pose a problem for sensitive dogs and come with unwanted side effects. And they must be prescribed by a veterinarian since human NSAIDs are not safe for dogs.
Many pet parents choose to supplement their dog’s wellness with natural anti-inflammatories, omega-3 fish oil being one of the preferred choices. Why?
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What is Fish Oil & How Does It Work?
Fish oil is just that, oil from cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, anchovies, or sardines. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, “good fats” that your dog simply can’t produce on their own and must get from their diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the creation of hormones that regulate blood flow and inflammation. They aid in preventing and improving inflammation-related conditions such as arthritis, allergies, and digestive problems.
Why Fish Oil is the Best Natural Anti-inflammatory for Your Dog
One reason fish oil is the best natural anti-inflammatory for your dog is that it\'s effective across all life stages.Puppies: When used regularly in growing puppies, fish oil aids in the proper brain and eye development of puppies. So your new puppy will have sharp vision and become a fast learner. It also strengthens your puppy’s immune system, so they can grow strong and healthy.
Adult dogs: For your adult dog, fish oil’s anti-inflammatory properties also promote healthy skin and coat, which is a vital defense against irritating allergens.
Senior dogs: For older dogs, it can ease the systems of cognitive dysfunction. A scientific study was done on a group of dogs who showed signs of cognitive decline such as loss of house training, altered sleep patterns, and behavioral changes. Within 60 days, dogs who took fish oil supplements showed improvement. If your senior dog suffers from arthritis, then fish oil supplements may help them feel more comfortable and even more agile. And there’s scientific evidence as to why!
According to the Animal Medical Center of Chicago, “Fish oil decreases the production of potent prostaglandins that stimulate inflammation in the joints.” (Prostaglandins are compounds in the body made of fats that have hormone-like effects.)
In addition to the scientific evidence, we have our own good reasons to believe that fish oil is the best natural anti-inflammatory for your dog. Within the Pawsomely Healthy family, five of our pups take daily omega-3 supplements.
German shepherds, Lio and Remy attribute their healthy skin and coats to omega-3 fish oil. Fox terrier, Ace, suffered from 2-3 epileptic seizures per day! Since he has started taking Omega-3, his seizures have decreased dramatically.
Ludus, a labrador, stopped having seizures completely since taking Omega-3 regularly. English bulldog, Bruno, takes his Omega-3 to reduce the inflammation from hip dysplasia. And Cody, a senior labrador, relies on fish oil to help him stay sharp and limber in his golden years.
Pawsomely Healthy Omega-3 Fish Oil Capsules
Committed to our own dogs’ health, we formulated a unique Omega-3 supplement of our own. The oil in Omega-3 by Pawsomely Healthy comes from wild-caught anchovies in the South Pacific.Anchovies are small fatty fish, with shorter life spans than tuna or mackerel. Why is that important? It means the anchovies haven\'t had time to accumulate poisonous, heavy metals often found in older fish. Your dog will get the amazing benefits of fish oil, free of toxins and full of healthy omega-3s.
