Components of a Fresh Diet

Balancing Omega-3 and Omega-6

This content is owned by Feed Real Institute. Authored and/or contributed to by Amber D., Kay S..

Fish is a popular addition to the dog's diet. It's widely known for its positive impact on skin and coat health, but some dog owners may prefer something other than fish and wonder if it's necessary for their dog's diet. Instead of providing fresh, whole fish, they may offer fish oil supplements. However, providing fresh fish is healthier and will benefit your dog the most.

Why is Fish Added to an Ancestral Diet?

Dog parents may wonder why fish are considered an essential component of the Real Ancestral 6X diet™ . After all, wild canids don’t often dive into the water to hunt for fish. It is because of the depletion of nutrients in the soil that your dog needs seafood in her diet.

Without nutrient-dense soil, plants do not contain adequate vitamins and minerals. Consequently, the animals feeding on the plants are not consuming the correct balance of nutrients. The impact includes the levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in the muscle meat of these animals, creating an overabundance of Omega-6, the inflammation activator fatty acid, in the meats your dog consumes. Feeding seafood aids in the balancing of Omega-6 and Omega-3.

Fish that are Safe Versus Unsafe

Before buying any fish, you must understand which fish are safe and which shouldn’t be provided to dogs. As a general guideline, smaller fish are better for your dog than larger fish due to the lower levels of toxins in small, oily fish.

Fish that are safe to feed include:

Sardines
Salmon*
Smelt
Anchovies
Herring
Mackerel
Cod
Pollock

*Wild-caught salmon from the Pacific Northwest should be cooked before feeding.

White fish like cod and pollock are not as rich in Omega-3s.

Because of their size and longevity, the larger fish potentially contain more mercury and should be avoided. Fish to avoid include:

Tuna
Tilapia
Swordfish
Walleye

The Roles of Omega Fatty Acids

Omega-3 and Omega-6 are essential fatty acids that a dog’s body cannot synthesize. They must be supplied in your dog’s meals. They are polyunsaturated fats that serve very different roles in the body.

The Omega-6 fatty acids include linoleic acid (LA), γ-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid (AA). These fatty acids are required for growth, reproduction, and are precursors for prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandins are needed at injury and infection sites to aid in the body's healing. Omega-6s promote inflammation that signals the necessary cells to infiltrate the injured tissue to begin the healing.

Omega-3 fatty acids include α-linolenic (ALA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA). These fatty acids are necessary for brain and retinal function, cell membrane integrity, and skin health. Because Omega-3s reduce inflammation, supplementation is recommended before and after surgical procedures, after a traumatic injury, and for patients with cancer, skin issues, and gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Omega-9 is a non-essential fatty acid because a dog’s body can produce it. Although non-essential, it is still essential in modulating inflammation and as an energy source. Oleic acid is the most common omega-9 fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid.

Balancing Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Because the primary functions of Omega-3 (reduce inflammation) and Omega-6 (increase inflammation) are essentially the opposite, the dog diet must supply them in the correct ratio. Many commercial kibble products are high in Omega-6, even those labeled as ’complete and balanced.’ Adding raw fish to a kibble diet can aid in balancing Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids.

Maintaining the correct ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 can help with many common skin irritations, such as pruritis, scaly skin, rashes, and the formation of hot spots. The DHA in raw fish has also been shown to reduce inflammation, boost cardiovascular health, and reduce the spread of cancer throughout the body.

The optimal ratio of Omega fatty acids has a wide range. The National Research Council states that the ratio should be between 2.6:1-26:1 Omega-6:Omega-3. The AAFCO guidelines state that the maximum ratio should be 30:1. However, based on the natural prey that canines eat in the wild, the ideal ratio is 4:1-5:1 Omega-6:Omega-3.

There’s a common misconception that Omega-3s and Omega-6s are fully balanced in commercial dog food. So, the question that comes to a dog parent’s mind is, “Why do I need to try to balance Omegas in a food that claims to be ‘complete and balanced?’

Research has discovered commercial kibble is high in Omega-6 fatty acids and low in Omega-3s, leading to an unbalanced ratio. Even with fish oil, the ratio can remain unbalanced due to fish oil oxidation and rancidity.

Dog parents who choose a fresh or raw diet are less likely to have unbalanced Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratios, especially if they provide diet variety by alternating monthly proteins. Dogs not offered variety in the diet may experience itchy skin, ear infections, or more severe complications.

To add more balance to the ratio, you can add grass-fed beef and elk, which tend to have a more balanced ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3. Those with access to fresh fish should also add raw, oily fish to their dog’s bowl.

Why It’s Beneficial to Feed Fresh Fish

Instead of adding fish oil to your dog’s bowl, you should add whole, fresh fish when possible. Fish has high Omega-3 content and is known to reduce itchiness, irritation, and rashes and improve your dog’s skin and coat. The DHA in raw fish also aids in reducing inflammation, boosting cardiovascular health, and reducing cancer spread throughout the body.

Fresh fish is also an excellent source of vitamin A, a vitamin known to promote eye health. In particular, vitamin A is found in the highest amounts in salmon.

It’s also high in iron, zinc, and selenium, promoting a healthier immune system. Iron aids in the production of red blood cells. Zinc is an antioxidant that aids the thyroid and digestive systems. And selenium boosts both the immune system and thyroid function.

Don’t Supplement Too Much

In this case, too much of a good thing isn’t exactly a good thing. If you offer your dog too much fish oil, for example, it can result in excess vitamins or insufficient.

Feeding too much fish can result in Vitamin E deficiency, leading to severe pain or hypersensitivity to pain, fatty lumps, cataracts, early onset arthritis, and premature aging.

Why Feed Real Fish Instead of Fish Oil?

Understanding the difference between fish oil and whole fresh is essential. Many dog lovers use fish oil to boost their dog's health without realizing it might not be as effective as they want.

One of the main differences involves the imbalance of Omega-3 and Omega-6. The natural source of vitamin E is eliminated during processing, leaving the Omega-3s intact without the vitamins necessary to process them. If your dog receives fish oil daily, it could deplete its vitamin E supply trying to process the fish oil.

You may wonder about adding vitamin E to the diet to help process the fish oil. However, when this is done, there’s a higher risk of blood thinning and complications associated with over-supplementation.

As stated, fish oil exposes Omega-3s to oxidation, leading to rancidity. Cancer cell growth in the body increases when your dog consumes rancid Omega-3s.

If you are persistent in using fish oil instead of fresh raw fish, there are some measures you can take to reduce some of the risks. You should check the sourcing to ensure it’s reputable if you feed fresh fish. If you’re purchasing fish oil, purchasing fish oil in a dark-colored or amber jar can reduce oxidation. You should also keep the fish oil refrigerated to minimize oxidation.

Finding Ethical, Reputable Sourcing

It's important to consider the source of the fish when weighing the advantages and disadvantages of feeding fish to your dog. If the source isn't mentioned on the bottle, you can (and should) contact the manufacturer to find out where the fish was captured and how the oil was made. The two things to remember are where the fish came from and the kind of fish in it.

Is Wild-Caught or Farm-Raised Better?

You might have to choose between wild-caught and farm-raised fish while evaluating fish oils or even fresh fish. Each type has benefits and drawbacks.

Fish raised on farms typically have reduced mercury exposure than fish caught in the wild, but their likelihood of containing pesticides and antibiotics is higher. Due to the unhealthy farming conditions, they are also more prone to illness. On the plus side, fish produced in farms have higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, and their toxin levels are frequently tested and kept within permissible ranges.

When feeding fresh fish, use caution because they can have parasites and have higher mercury levels than farmed fish, but they don't contain antibiotics and frequently have lower pesticide levels. Both wild and farmed fish are often healthy options because they are both rich in crucial Omega-3 fatty acids and thoroughly inspected for contaminants.

Some Fish Are Healthier than Others

The second thing to look out for is the kind of fish used to make the oil. Ideally, you should choose an oil that was produced using small, cold-water fish that were sustainably harvested in the wild. In general, it is safer to consume herring, anchovies, sardines, mackerel, or salmon oil than tuna, swordfish, or marlin oil.

Mercury levels tend to rise over time in larger fish that eat smaller fish, because the mercury "bioaccumulates" in their bodies.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning include:

Lack of coordination
Irritability
Depression
Muscle weakness
Skin irritation

Since it is hard to completely eliminate mercury exposure, small oily fish retain tiny amounts of the toxin. However, the amount is significantly lower and safer than in larger fish.

If you are feeding fresh fish, whether caught in the wild or not, you should freeze them for at least a week before adding them to your dog's bowl. This reduces the levels of bacteria and parasites that might be present in the fish.

You won't have to worry with this step if you buy fish "flesh" (without the organs) from the grocery store. Nevertheless, it may be worthwhile to make the additional effort if you plan to purchase whole fish or fish from a local market. If you want to keep tapeworms at bay, you should only feed the flesh and not include the organs.

If your canine companion isn't a fan of fish, you have a couple of options: either look into some alternatives or be creative with how you feed them. You can cut some fresh fish into small pieces and add them to your dog's bowl. You might also try fish that have been air-dried or freeze-dried. You can grind the fish into a fine powder to be added to your dog’s bowl.

If You Don’t Want to Feed Fresh Fish or Fish Oil

Several choices are available to you if you are looking for an alternative to feeding your dog fish, including green-lipped mussels (GLM), phytoplankton, or kelp.

Green-Lipped Mussels and Other Bivalves as a Source of Omega-3s

Mollusks living in freshwater or marine environments with a two-part shell and a horizontally compressed body are classified as bivalve mollusks. When feeding bivalves, green-lipped mussels are usually considered safe to eat (and are highly recommended), but you must be careful when feeding other mollusks.

The green-lipped mussel is a type of bivalve that is inherently anti-inflammatory, has no known adverse effects, is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, and helps the immune and circulatory systems operate correctly. They are an excellent alternative to feeding fish. As a topping for meals, they can be eaten raw or ground into a powder. It has been established that giving dogs GLM supplements improves joint mobility, helps maintain cartilage, and benefits their cardiovascular health.

On the other hand, oviparous animals like clams, oysters, and numerous species of mussels should be fed with extreme caution. Even though microalgae frequently contain important nutrients such as protein, zinc, and selenium, one of the most common concerns is the possibility of toxins. Ensuring that any seafood you feed comes from clean, cooler waters where suppliers test their seafood for contamination is essential. This is because the amount of toxins in seafood is often affected by the temperature of the water and the seasons.

Phytoplankton Contains High Amounts of DHA and EPA

Phytoplankton is a tiny algae with a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA. Eating these fats can benefit your dog's immune system, musculoskeletal health, and cognitive function. Pick a brand of phytoplankton that doesn't contain any fillers, is free of radiation and heavy metals, and was grown in a way that doesn't harm the environment when looking for a product.

Kelp is Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

Kelp is a type of seaweed that is typically used in the form of a dry powder supplement and is obtained from regions with cold water. Because of its high vitamin and mineral content, including calcium and potassium, it is helpful for the skin's health and the coat. Kelp is abundant in iodine, which is beneficial to your dog's thyroid health and glandular function and has many significant advantages.

Choosing an Option to Include in the Diet

Feeding seafood has numerous benefits, but because there are so many different options, selecting the most suitable one can be challenging. It is essential to have a thorough understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of feeding seafood and the possible unintended consequences of the many different options that are accessible.

Takeaway Bites

Whole, fresh fish is preferred over fish oil primarily due to the high oxidation rate leading to the fish oil's rancidity.
Too much of a good thing isn’t always a good thing. The best way to avoid overfeeding omegas is to feed whole, fresh fish.
GLM, phytoplankton, and kelp are some examples of fish-free options that can be used in place of fish and fish oil.