Purina® Dog Food and Cat Food Websites - Your Pet, Our Passion®
Dog Care
Food & Nutrition
Health
Safety
Behavior
Puppies
For Breeders
Dog Breed Library
Dog Breed Selector
Purina® - Your Pet, Our Passion™
CLICK TO PRINTCLICK TO CLOSE

Why do Dogs Require Fatty Acids in their Diets?

Audio
(1.37MB)

Why do dogs require fatty acids in their diets?

Listen  

Fatty acids are specific polyunsaturated fats that keep your dog’s skin and fur shiny and healthy. One class, the omega-six fatty acids, are especially important to an animal’s health because they help support the immune system and regulate the blood flow.

Fatty acids are not automatically produced by your dog’s body, so you must provide them in the diet. They’re naturally found in animal fats and vegetable oils, and most commercial dog foods are made to contain the proper types and ratios. But some dogs with skin problems and certain health conditions may benefit from fatty acid supplements. So ask your veterinarian for a recommendation – she may suggest adding sunflower oil to your pet’s food.

-Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the "Purina® Animal Instincts" Podcast Series

Top
Email this Article
Printer-Friendly
All trademarks and other intellectual property on this site
are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland