Salmon Oil: The Magical Oil That Saved My Dog’s Skin
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Salmon is an amazing protein! Full of vitamins and essential minerals and building blocks for many different parts of our bodies from our brains to skin to joints. It can even play a role in reversing cardiovascular issues, not just in people but also in our four legged companions.
In this post I’m going to share with you how salmon oil and the power of Omega-3s, specifically EPA and DHA, and how it played a huge part in stopping my dog from chewing himself bald!
My dog Charlie had been dealing with itchy and flaky dry skin for quite a few years, and being a pet store manager and advocate for pet nutrition I took it upon myself to free him from his itchy shambles! After lots of research and some tweaking to his dog food. Including eliminating chicken which is a common allergen in dog food. And making sure his food was primarily made up of good quality protein, and switching mainly between turkey, lamb or salmon as the #1 ingredient in his food. Which I will go into detail in on another post. But here I will leave it at that and explain why salmon oil has the best forms of omega-3s, and how it worked to clear my dog's skin.
What is salmon oil made up of that's so magical?
Salmon oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These forms of omega-3s are the easiest for the body to utilize. Unlike humans, cats cannot convert alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3, into EPA and DHA. Instead, ALA must be broken down by the body into EPA and DHA, which makes it less efficiently absorbed. As a result, pure sources of EPA and DHA are more readily available for use by the body, especially for cats who cannot make the conversion from ALA into EPA or DHA, at all.
Salmon oil also contains omega-6s but in a much smaller amount which is better in the way of reducing inflammation. Omega-6s play a crucial role in bodily functions but also heighten the body's inflammatory responses through AA (arachidonic acid) which is the main form of omega-6. AA forms inflammatory eicosanoids in the body which are molecules that create inflammatory responses in the body so it should be avoided in high levels and especially in pets with inflammatory issues already.
The EPA and DHA found in salmon oil isn’t typically found in other sources of omega-3s like flaxseed or chia seeds which contain ALA (alphalinoleic acid) which will not efficiently be converted into the more usable forms of EPA and DHA effectively, therefore not having a powerful effect on the body like salmon oil will provide!
Finally, I will break it down to the fact that salmon oil is the easiest way to get EPA and DHA into your body. And that omega-3s are anti-inflammatory and omega 6-s are pro-inflammatory is the basic understanding of the two.
How EPA and DHA in salmon oil cured my dog Charlie
Thanks to the EPA and DHA found in salmon oil, my dog's hot spots and dry patches have completely disappeared! By reducing the inflammatory response in his skin, he no longer feels itchy and has stopped gnawing at himself. The antioxidant properties of salmon oil have also improved and strengthened his skin barrier, promoting extra collagen production due to the increased levels of EPA and a reduction in inflammatory eicosanoids. Furthermore, EPA helps boost moisture in the skin by protecting it from environmental factors and flea allergies, resulting in a shiny coat!
After using salmon oil for about a week and a half, we noticed a significant improvement in Charlie. He was less itchy, losing less hair, and the bald patch at the base of his tail was finally filling in. I want to highlight that while most salmon oils can help with a dog's skin issues, the one I credit for Charlie's recovery is Native Pet Salmon Oil, which I purchased on Amazon.
Native Pet was the easiest and most convenient option to use because of its pump dispenser. This feature made it simple for me to squirt the oil onto his food at mealtimes, which is great for someone like me who struggles with precise measurements! Just two pumps a day mixed into his kibble was all he needed.
My dog Charlie is enjoying the outdoors once he became itch-free!
The Additional Benefits of Salmon Oil
Salmon oil offers numerous benefits beyond just skin health. Due to EPA and DHA, it can enhance brain function in both growing puppies and aging senior pets, reducing brain inflammation and maintaining the repair and optimal functioning of the brain. This is beneficial for both ages of pets, those who are in the development phase and those who may be experiencing a slowdown. Additionally, it may help reduce heart arrhythmias by controlling triglyceride (bad fat) levels in the blood with beneficial (good) fats found in salmon oil. It can also improve joint health by helping joints retain collagen for a longer period, and by basically shutting off the signals from eicosanoids. Which are inflammatory signals that tell your body, hey I’m hurting here! No matter the age or issue your dog may face, salmon oil is so remarkable that it can likely provide some level of support.
In my experience, salmon oil was a key factor in reversing my dog's dermatitis. I encourage you to consider giving your dog this incredible supplement—both you and your dog could enjoy a more restful, itch-free night!
