Omega fatty acids support many vital systems, but diet alone isn’t always enough. Supplementing with omega-3s for dogs and cats can fill nutritional gaps so your patients can enjoy the health benefits associated with a good omega ratio.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support whole-body health, but modern feline and canine diets aren’t usually rich in omega-3s and don’t provide a good balance between the two. Here are three reasons to use the omega-3 supplements for dogs and cats.

1. Bridge Nutritional Gaps in Diet

Omega fatty acids support heart health, skin and coat health, the central nervous system, brain development, and joint health. However, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids aren’t produced by the body, so dogs and cats must rely on diet to provide them.

The main source of omega-3 fatty acids for dogs and cats is fish, but farmed fish is lower in omega-3s compared to wild fish. As a result, modern canine and feline diets are often lacking in omega-3s. Supplementation can help to fill nutritional gaps in a dog’s or cat’s diet.

3. Optimize Omega Ratios

Omegas play a large role in the overall health of dogs and cats, but there needs to be a balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Most modern canine/feline diets contain eggs and meat that are rich in omega-6s, and this is thanks to the grains and oils used in farm animal feed. But because the diets are also low in omega-3s, it’s common to see imbalances between these essential fatty acids.

The optimal omega-6: omega-3 ratio is below 5:1, and a simple blood test can tell you what a patient’s omega-3 index is. Supplementation with omega-3 can help to optimize a dog’s or cat’s omega ratio so they get the full benefit of these fatty acids in terms of joint health, skin and coat health, and immune responses.

3. Support Eye Health

Omega-3s may also play a role in eye health and may help to prevent vision loss caused by aging. To function properly, the eyes must be coated in a thin layer of tears made up of oil and water. Omega-3s may improve the quality of the oil, thereby reducing symptoms of dry eye, which include blurred vision and light sensitivity. When diet alone isn’t enough, supplementation can provide dogs and cats with the omega-3s needed to support eye health.

The VF Omega-3 Supplement for Dogs and Cats

Standard Process VF Omega-3 for dogs and cats contains fish oil from anchovy and sardine, so it’s an excellent source of omega-3s that might be lacking from their diet. With the Omega-3 Index for Pets, you can find out appropriate and therapeutic supplementation levels and retest after three to four months to recheck the patient’s omega index.

Visit Standard Process to learn more about the VF Omega-3 supplement for dogs and cats.