Omega 6 and Omega 3 oils are so important in the diet of our plant-based dogs. They help in the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K as well as keeping their fur shiny and soft.
This is something that so many owners who transition to plant-based notice with their dogs – how soft the fur becomes – we noticed it too with our little dog, and he is still super soft!
“Thank you so much for giving me the confidence, via your products and website, to change our two dogs Rosie and Cara diet to a vegan one.
I started off slowly maybe 2 months ago replacing their normal raw meat diet and they have both been non meat now for about 4 weeks.
They prefer your homemade recipes to the tinned variety so I am going to continue with them.
Healthwise they appear much the same, their coats though are much finer and soft!”
What are the best Omega 6 oils to use?
Sunflower oil is actually the best source of Omega 6 for our dogs as it has the highest linoleic acid content (compared to olive oil), so your dog can safely be fed 1 tsp a day in their food for a 10kg dog. We also like using sesame oil in our homemade recipes as dogs seem to really like the taste of sesame and tahini, so they tend to love sesame oil (and it leaves a lovely smell in your kitchen!)
Hemp oil, rapeseed and borage oil can be fed to dogs.
The dose of Omega 6 oil is 0.4g per kg of dog ie a 15kg dog should have 1 tsp a day. If your dog is very lean and you want to increase their weight, they can have up to 1g/kg body weight of oils a day.
What are the best Omega 3 oils to use?
We recommend Vegetology Algae oil capsules – buy here
A little bit more about Omega 3’s in your dog’s diet……
The human and dog body can make most of the types of fats it needs from other fats or raw materials. That isn’t the case for Omega-3 fatty acids . These are essential fats—the body can’t make them from scratch but must get them from food. Most of us know the benefits of Omega 3 acids in our diet. These important acids are DHA and EPA carrying a host of benefits, mostly centred around their anti inflammatory nature.
There is a third Omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the most common omega-3 fatty acid in most of our diets. It is found in vegetable oils and nuts (especially walnuts), flax seeds, leafy vegetables, and some animal fat, especially in grass-fed animals. These particular plant based forms of Omega 3 are not as reliable for humans and certainly not for dogs, due to ALA needing to be converted into DHA/EPA/DPA, and this does not happen effectively in dogs. Although both plant-based, seeds/nuts and algae are NOT the same when it comes to Omega 3 bioavailability – algae contains DHA and EPAnot ALA.
Please note that Omega 3 Algae oil Vegetology Opti3 contains rosemary as an anti-oxidant. The addition is 0.22% of the overall oil content so well below 1% and not enough to cause any adverse effects in dogs that suffer from seizures where owners are aware not to feed the stimulant rosemary.
Are there any dangers with feeding too much oil in our dog’s diet?
Plant-based diets tend to be very healthy and fibre-rich, so it is difficult to overfeed high saturated oils as found in a high raw meat diet, as plant-based oils are unsaturated and much healthier for us than animal fats. If your dog however, has suffered from the very painful condition called pancreatitis in the past, then you will have to watch the amounts of fat fed to your dog. It is rare for plant-based dogs to suffer from pancreatitis; especially those getting enough of the soothing anti-inflammatory Omega 3’s from Algae oil.
Another concern, is dogs who are being fed a homemade diet with the addition of the healthy oils, plus the addition of peanut butter in their snacks, as well as the daily addition of Golden Paste with added coconut oil.
Learn all there is to know about plant-based feeding and enrol on our PLANT-BASED DOG NUTRITION COURSE
What should you be aware of when choosing to homecook?
I have been contacted by so many owners feeding their dogs plant-based and some of their dogs have had issues with painful urinary crystals…..
Poisonous foods NOT to feed your dogs
The majority of foods we eat and feed to our pet (especially plant-based) are healthy and good for them, but these are the few exceptions to be aware of
How To Transition Your Dog Safely
Gradual changes allow the appropriate changes of digestive enzymes and intestinal microbiome
The most effective Omega 3’s for your dog
We recommend these Omega 3 capsules above the other brands as they …..
Do dogs on a vegan diet live longer?
We have Bramble the dog who lived until she was 25 as proof that vegan diets help our pets live longer healthier lives
Will a vegan dog food diet affect my dog’s behaviour?
Owners of dogs on plant-based diets do report that their pets appear happier and calmer
