Omega 3 fatty acids are one of the few supplements that have some evidence of benefit for osteoarthritis. Nicki Bell talks to Charley Gray about omega 3s, how they work and why they are useful in the management of canine arthritis. Charley explains the different omega 3s and why it is currently EPA and DHA that we are particularly interested in for dogs. Their role in the anti-inflammatory pathway is explained with diagrams and analogies. There are different sources of omega 3s – plants, fish and algae and their pros and cons are described alongside guidance on what might be the best option for dogs. Charley also discusses dosing of omega 3s and how to work out how much your dog needs for their weight. It can be difficult to give a therapeutic dose without giving your dog too much fat in its diet or exceeding safe limits for Vitamins A and D. The session ends with a comparison of omega 3 levels in different joint supplements and other options for providing adequate levels in your dog’s diet.Charley is a vet with a special interest in nutrition. She works as a small animal vet and as a nutritionist helping to audit and formulate diets. She works with owners who want to prepare a home-cooked diet for their pets to make sure the diet is well-balanced and complete.

Veterinary Nutrition & Formulation Services:

https://www.companion-nutrition.co.uk/

5 Key Take Homes

• Omega-3s are one of the few supplements with evidence for canine osteoarthritis
• EPA and DHA are the most important omega-3s for dogs

• Omega-3s help by influencing inflammatory pathways
• Not all omega-3 sources are equally useful
• Correct dosing is crucial and can be challenging

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