Dogs and cats have different needs when it comes to essential fatty acids...

…Let’s consider the dogs first.

Fatty acid supplements for dogs may contain either active or inactive EFAs

Active EFAs can go straight to work in your dogs body, whereas inactive EFAs are unable to carry out their vital roles without first being converted by your dog to the active form. This conversion can only be carried out by enzymes, which your dog may or may not produce. If your dog does not produce those enzymes for any reason, those inactive essential fatty acids are not able to carry out many of their vital functions. This will lead to ill health.

Supplements which contain the activated omega 6 EFAs for dogs include Evening Primrose oil, Borage oil and Black Currant oil. Supplements which contain inactive omega 6 EFAs include vegetable oils such as safflower oil, sunflower oil and corn oil.

Supplements which contain the activated omega 3 EFAs include Cod Liver oil and Fish body oils such as Salmon oil. Supplements which contain the inactive omega 3 EFAs include flaxseed oil and hemp seed oil.

Why would these critical activating enzymes be missing?

The critical enzyme that converts inactive essential fatty acids into active essential fatty acids can be missing for one of several reasons. The first is heredity. The other more important reasons for the loss of this enzyme include aging, viral infections, any chronic disease state and a diet rich in trans fatty acids. Prevention is achieved by removing processed pet foods from our dogs’ lives and switching our dogs to their evolutionary diet together with appropriate fatty acid supplementation as and when required.

Your cat can only use activated essential fatty acids!

These must be derived from animals, not from plants. All raw meats, but most particularly red meats and eggs, supply cats with all the activated omega 6 essential fatty acids they need. Cod liver oils and fish body oils are used to supply cats with supplementary omega 3’s if required.

Pets consuming excessive omega 6 EFAs ...

will suffer conditions of excessive inflammation, vasoconstriction, broncho-constriction and platelet stickiness. These excessive levels of omega 6 contribute enormously to the production of problems such as arthritis, heart, kidney and lung disease, through to cancer and on to inflammatory skin disease. This situation can be counteracted (in part) by the addition of omega 3 EFAs to the diet.

A diet that lacks sufficient omega 6 EFAs will cause skin problems, reproductive problems and growth problems. This situation can be counteracted by the addition of 'activated' omega 6 EFAs to the diet.
A diet that lacks sufficient omega 3's is the number one fatty acid associated problem caused by modern processed pet foods. This lack of the omega 3’s allows the omega 6’s (if they are present in sufficient quantities) to produce the whole range of problems caused by an excess of the omega 6’s. In addition the lack of the omega 3’s can be a potent cause of infertility in our breeding stock together with growth problems in young pups and kittens, and most importantly, problems with the development of the nervous system. This can result in early deterioration of vision and hearing, learning difficulties in puppies and kittens and behavioral problems in our pets that can continue throughout life.

Dr. Billinghurst’s Omega Barf - Omega 3 & 6 Oil with Salmon & Evening Primrose Oil Added Our Triple Fish Body Oil with Salmon & Evening Primrose Oil provides a healthy blend of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. EPA and DHA from fish oil are precursors to the beneficial Series 3 prostaglandins which regulate blood pressure and blood platelets, water retention and immune function. DHA is important for the brain, nerves, vision and hearing, adrenal function, and reproductive health. GLA is a precursor to the beneficial Series I prostaglandins which decrease inflammation and enhance regulation of immune response, specifically a reduction in autoimmune dysfunction and balance various hormone functions. Recommended for skin, immune and arthritis conditions. Analysis:   Values per ½ teaspoon (2.2g) serving Crude Fat, min 100 % Moisture, max 0.1 % Eicosapentaenoic Acid (omega 3) 330 mg Docosahexaenoic Acid (omega 3) 220 mg Gamma Linolenic Acid (omega 6) 33 mg Available in 8oz. / 250ml black HDPE bottles