Are puppies that get omega-3 smarter and better behaved?
Similar to other chronic health conditions that humans share with dogs, our canine friends can also be affected by a condition called canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) or dog dementia, which is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. .
Here is some of the latest research and science behind CCD in dogs.
Exercise can help prevent dog dementia!
A 2022 study in Scientific Reports involving 15,019 dogs from the Dog Aging Project, found that regular exercise can potentially prevent cognitive dysfunction in dogs. Dogs that were reported to be inactive had a 6.47 times higher risk of being diagnosed with CCD compared to highly active dogs.
-Yarborough, S., Fitzpatrick, A., Schwartz, SM et al. Assessment of cognitive function in the Dog Aging Project: associations with baseline canine characteristics. Sci Rep 12, 13316 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15837-9
Dogs can help us understand human mental health
In a 2023 article in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, the authors highlighted the potential of using client-owned dogs with naturally occurring CCD to help understand Alzheimer’s in translational research. people with Alzheimer’s.
-Hunter, RP, Ehrenzweig, J., Hainsworth, A., Crawford, A., Dagan, A., Sage, J., & Araujo, J. (2023). One-health approach to canine cognitive decline: Dogs Overcoming Geriatric Memory and Aging Initiative for early detection of cognitive decline. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 84(11), ajvr.23.02.0032.
Can omega-3 – DHA and EPA help elderly dogs with dementia?
There are many studies that suggest that omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA, have beneficial effects in treating or slowing cognitive decline and canine dementia.
One study found that older dogs fed a diet enriched with DHA and EPA for 6 months showed significant improvements in cognitive measures such as learning ability, memory, and psychomotor control. compared to a control group.
Research from the British Journal of Nutrition in 2005 showed that elderly Beagle dogs supplemented with DHA for 8 months performed significantly improved cognitive abilities.
Also, a 2018 study in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology found that older dogs given DHA-rich oil for 2 months showed improvements in attention, memory, trainability and other cognitive measures. .
There are many more studies available on the positive effects of DHA in dogs but one thing is clear. DHA can help dogs with Canine Cognitive Disease – dementia.
Squid oil, which has twice the amount of DHA than fish oil and krill, is sustainable because the depletion of fish stocks has led to an increase in the population of squid – a common food source for fish.
-Hunter, RP, Ehrenzweig, J., Hainsworth, A., Crawford, A., Dagan, A., Sage, J., & Araujo, J. (2023). One-health approach to canine cognitive decline: Dogs Overcoming Geriatric Memory and Aging Initiative for early detection of cognitive decline. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 84(11), ajvr.23.02.0032.
-Chapagain, D., Wallis, LJ, Range, F., Affenzeller, N., Serra, J., & Virányi, Z. (2020). Behavioral and cognitive changes in elderly domestic dogs: No effects of enriched diet and lifelong training. PLOS ONE, 15(9), e0238517. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238517
-Araujo, JA, Segarra, S., Mendes, J., Paradis, A., Brooks, M., Thevarkunnel, S., & Milgram, NW (2022). Sphingolipid and DHA Improve Cognitive Deficits in Aged Beagle Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 646451. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.646451
Is DHA necessary for healthy puppy brain development, learning and behavior?
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays an important role in normal brain development and cognitive function in dogs. Studies have shown that DHA supplementation at these stages can significantly support brain and vision development even before the puppies are born!
For example, a study cited in the Veterinary Practice article discusses how DHA dietary supplementation during the pre- and post-natal period demonstrated greater learning ability, memory, and problem-solving skills. .
DHA protects the brain!
DHA has neuroprotective properties that are beneficial for maintaining cognitive function as dogs age and the survival of nerve cells.
Altogether, these findings show how important DHA and omega-3 fatty acids are in dogs and humans of all ages, but especially during early development and as part of a strategy to maintain cognitive function in the elderly.
Rodrigues, RBA, Zafalon, RVA, Rentas, MF, Risolia, LW, Macedo, HT, Perini, MP, da Silva, AMG, Marchi, PH, Balieiro, JC de C., Mendes, WS, Vendramini, THA, Brunetto , MA , & Lyn , H. (Academic Editor). (2023). Supplementation of Docosahexaenoic Acid-Concentrated Fish Oil Improves Cognitive Function in Puppies. Animals (Basel), 13(18),
-Veterinary Training. (2024, March 29). How can DHA dietary supplementation support brain development in pets?
What source of EPA and DHA is good, is fish oil or krill safe?
When considering omega-3 sources such as fish oil and krill, it is important to address both mercury content and sustainability.
Fish, especially large species, can accumulate large amounts of mercury, which pose health risks when consumed in large quantities. Smaller fish and those lower on the food chain generally have lower levels of mercury but are generally at risk of overfishing.
On the sustainability front, krill oil extraction raises concerns. Krill are important to marine ecosystems, and overharvesting them can disrupt these critical environments.
Why I chose calamari oil as my preferred source of omega-3s
First, calamari is a sustainable option. The squid population is increasing, which may be a result of climate change and a decrease in the number of fish that eat the squid.
As such, calamari is a more environmentally responsible choice compared to other marine resources that are often overfished.
Second, calamari oil is very rich in DHA and EPA, the most important type of omega-3 and contains twice as much DHA as other sources such as krill or fish.
DHA is essential for brain health, cognition and memory and it also plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from toxins and harmful substances.
Being low on the food chain, calamari accumulates fewer toxins compared to larger fish. This makes it a cleaner source of omega-3s, free of heavy metals and other contaminants often found in fish oils.
Summary
As you can see from the research cited here and in my previous blog on preventing dementia in humans, DHA is important in protecting the brain, preventing memory loss and ensuring healthy development and aging. EPA is primarily important for cell repair and its anti-inflammatory effects.
I hope you find the journey of discovering the wisdom of natural healing as exciting as I do and that it will make a difference in creating a healthier and longer life for you and your canine friend.
