Fail to Give this Fat to Your Pets and You are Asking for Trouble. By Karen Shaw Becker, DVMContrary to popular belief, not all dietary fats cause obesity in your pet. Just as in humans, the good fats omega 3 fats enhance energy production in your dog or cat, so they actually create less fat. Because most pets consume an abundance of high carbohydrate, empty calorie dry foods kibble, the pet obesity issue is quickly rivaling the human obesity epidemic. A great example is Donnie, a 7 year old mixed breed, neutered male dog. Judging from his physical features we guessed Donnie was a yellow labGerman shepherd mix. Donnie arrived at my hospital exhibiting classic omega 3 deficiency symptoms. He had tested positive for Demodex mange a non contagious skin mite that proliferates on immunosuppressed animals. Directed by Steve Rash. With DJ Qualls, Mary Cobb, Rhoda Griffis, Preston Jones. Three college roommates join a bus full of gorgeous models and travel the country to. Van Wilder starts his freshman year at Coolidge College and embarks on an adventure to land the campus hottie and liberate his school from sexual oppression and party. Chris Spratt showed all his skills at Merrylands. Welcome to the Chris Spratt Show. One of the most incredible innings you will see in third grade cricket, hitting. Road Rash 2009 Game' title='Road Rash 2009 Game' />Fifty percent of his hair was missing and the exposed skin was scabby from scratching. Both ears were infected, and he was not just over weight he was over fat and under muscled. Donnie was brought to me as a last resort. After his owners had rescued him from a shelter, they were told to consider euthanasia as his skin issues were uncontrollable and  his immune system was clearly imbalanced. My goal was to provide this dog some immediate relief, as well as address his nutritional deficiencies. I weaned Donnie onto a new, species appropriate diet, instituted regular baths and ear cleanings, and provided an abundance of antioxidants and healthy omega 3  fats. After three months, not only was Donnie free from Demodex, he had regrown healthy new hair and had lost over 1. The owners were very pleased with his progress, but Donnie was the happiest of all itch free, with a shiny coat, and agile in his new, rebalanced body. Personal story Today, it has been 3 years since I recovered from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or RMSF a disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a species of. Top Cars in Our Road Tests Best Worst Cars. Each vehicle is put through a battery of tests at our track to determine its performance and some models stand out. And as you might have guessed, omega 6 and omega 3 fats are as vital to your pets health as they are to yours. These fatty acids are crucial for many of your pets most important tissues and organs  everything from reproduction to a healthy skin and coat. There is also mounting evidence that essential fats play a significant role in your pets ability to fight off most all illness and disease. This is the most common nutritional deficiency I see in my practice. The symptoms I encounter on a daily basis include cats with dry skin and chronic oral inflammation, and dogs with recurrent skin and ear infections. Fortunately, this is an easily remedied situation. The Essential Nature of Omega 6 and 3 Fats. Road Rash 2009 Game' title='Road Rash 2009 Game' />Your dog or cat has a fundamental dietary requirement for certain fatty acids that it cannot produce on its own. These fats can only come from the food you feed your pet, thus the term essential. Omega 6 and omega 3 fats derive their names from their chemical composition. Its important to realize that your pet requires both omega 3 alpha linolenic and omega 6 linoleic acids in order to thrive. Road%20Rash%20(SLPS-00243)%20(Front).jpg' alt='Road Rash 2009 Game' title='Road Rash 2009 Game' />How to Spot an Omega 6 Deficiency in Your Pet. The ratio of omega 6 to 3 fats is very important to your pets well being. The Other Tribe Free Download here. Current recommendations are for ratios of 1. If your dog or cat is eating a typical commercial pet food diet, its actually far more likely he or she is getting too much omega 6 fats rather than too little. However, its important to understand the role the omega 6 fats play in your pets health. A lack of omega 6 fats in your pets diet will result in poor overall development and a failure to gain weight. An omega 6 deficiency can compromise your pets immune system and cause liver and kidney degeneration. Other signs of omega 6 deficiency include behavioral disturbances poor wound healing miscarriage sterility in male pets The omega 6 fats also play a major role in the health of your pets skin and coat. A deficiency can result in dry, flakey skin and a dull, brittle coat which leads to hair breakage and loss. In this compromised condition, your pets skin can become prone to bacterial infections and itchiness. Your pet might also develop a condition known as hyperkeratosis thickened skin. Omega 6 fats are primarily found in plant oils such as flaxseed, hemp, and pumpkin seeds. If your pet is deficient in omega 6 fats which again, is highly unlikely given the ingredients used in most commercial pet foods today, supplementation will benefit the skin, coat and nails, and can also help alleviate skin allergies. The One to Watch Omega 3 fats. Omega 3 fats have tremendous potential to positively impact your pets health. Omega 3s encourage the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, compounds that help regulate inflammation, immune system response and blood clotting activity in your dog or cat. They help to reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis and conditions of the bowel such as ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Research indicates omega 3 fats may also prevent pet heart problems like arrhythmia and high blood pressure, as well as decrease triglyceride and blood cholesterol levels. Omega 3 fats are also being researched for their potential to slow the development and spread of certain cancers in pets, as well as for their ability to prevent or alleviate auto immune disorders, allergies, and some skin conditions. A deficiency of omega 3 fats in your cat or dog can result in stunted growth, eye problems, muscle weakness and lack of motor coordination, as well as immune system dysfunction. How Do You Know if Your Pet is Getting the Right Balance of Good Fats Cell membranes and cell walls consist of two layers of phospholipids that are derived from omega 3 fats. The omega 3 fats allow for the production of eicosanoids i. The ratio of omega 3 to 6 fats is very important to your pets wellbeing. In general, most pets are consuming far too many omega 6s and too few omega 3s. Unfortunately, both omega 6 and omega 3 fats are also very vulnerable to heat, so while these fats may have once been present in your pets food, its possible they lost their bio availability during the kibbling or canning process. Essential fats are also very sensitive to oxygen and can become damaged quickly. Since most pet foods contain far more omega 6 fats than omega 3 fats, your pet may benefit from additional omega 3s in its diet. The optimal source of omega 3s is  marine body oils, the most biologically available of which is krill oil. Exactly how much to supplement depends on the current health of your pet and the wellness goals you want to achieve. If your pet is currently in good health, I recommend supplementing with krill oil as follows 2. There is nothing more important for your pets health and longevity than good nutrition. Insuring your dogs or cats diet includes a proper balance of omega 6 and 3 fats can make a tremendous difference in the health of your four legged family member.