[rawfeeding] Re: Fish oil amounts?

"Anndrea" <anndreae@...> wrote:
>
> What do you think of this one?
>
> It says three capsules have:
> 1070mg Total Omega-3 fatty acids
> which includes:
> 460mg EPA
> 480mg DHA
> 50mg DPA
> 80mg Stearidonic, Eicosatrienoic, Eicosatetraenoic,
> Heneicosapentaenoic, and Alpha-Linolenic acids
*****
Although the product says a dose is three capsules, when you divide
the combined EPA and DHA amounts (940mg) by three you get a combined
total of 300+mg , which works. So I don't see why a dose is
considered three capsules except to make them more money. IMO you
can use this product as if each capsule were 1000mg because each
capsule hits the 300mg mark.

However, for dogs there is no good reason to feed ALA (alpha-
linolenic acid); this is a plant-based oil (typically flaxseed) and
while it is a precursor to linolenic acid (Omega 3) it must be
converted first which is a highly inefficient process--lots of energy
for not much result. So you're paying for something your dogs do not
need.

Similarly, DPA is an Omega-6 based essential fatty acid. Your dogs
do not need more Omega 6 in any form if you rely heavily on feedlot
meats and factory poultry.

I'd say you should be able to find a reasonably priced product that
confines itself primarily to EPA and DHA in a combined amount of
300mg per capsule. The label should list the sources of its oils--
anything beyond the oily, stinky fish we talk about here--salmon,
mackerel, herring, anchovy, menhaden--is not important and anything
plant-based is irrelevant. Seal oil is also a good source of Omega 3
fatty acids but I don't believe it's sold in the USA. I may be wrong.

FWIW, I am currently using Rexall fish oil and Rexall salmon oil from
Walmart. Not nearly as fancy as the products you are finding, but
direct and to the point and reasonably priced.

> That would only be three a day per dog, I think?
*****
Well, not as they pitch the product no, BUT because each capsule
manages to offer a total of 300mg (combined EPA and DHA), you can get
close enough with three per dog per day. (Believe it or not, this is
not rocket science.)

If you were to follow their guidelines of one dose being THREE
capsules, you'd have to feed 12 a day. Boy would the manufacturer be
happy!

And possibly be
> splitting one between a couple of cats a day?
*****
Seems okay...but remember--this product also includes flaxseed oil
(probably) and at least one other plant-based oil (DPA). While these
are of doubtful value for a dog, they have no value for a cat at all.

Again, you are paying for ingredients your animals cannot use.

> Sorry to keep asking, but I have no idea what they need, and I
> appreciate the numbers you have given me. I just really want to get
> all these skin and allergies under control as quickly as possible
(but
> safely) and can't start constant raw feeding until July.
*****
Well, the problem is even with a good fish oil supplement, you cannot
be assured of controlling skin problems. It is rare that a problem
should be so easily remedied...usually skin issues and "allergies"
are but symptoms of deeper illness; a busted immune system is not
likely to be fixed with just fish oil.

Yes, you can supplement with fish oil. It can help correct
imbalances from whatever you are currently feeding. But I suggest
you not expect a turnaround at this point. A beginning perhaps, but
not a conclusion.

Good luck!
Chris O

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