Happiness is having a scratch for every itch.
— Ogden Nash
Allergies in dogs are a common problem and can range from mild symptoms such as itching and redness to serious conditions such as dermatitis (skin inflammation) and chronic or recurrent ear infections. Allergy is a multifactorial condition. This means that several factors play a role in the development of the condition. As a result, the treatment of allergies is often complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Of course, it is important to try to find out the cause of the allergy. But whatever the cause, nutrition plays a very important role in the treatment of allergies. In addition to providing an optimal basic diet, adding an omega-3 supplement can help.
What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that play an important role in various bodily functions. The two most important omega-3 fatty acids for dogs are:
– Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): Mainly present in fish oil.
– Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): Also abundant in fish oil.
Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their ability to reduce inflammation, which is crucial in treating allergies. When a dog has an allergic reaction, the immune system produces inflammatory substances such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are partly responsible for the symptoms of allergies. EPA and DHA can reduce the production of these inflammatory substances, reducing the symptoms of allergies.
Omega 3 for allergy
Research shows that omega 3 can reduce the amount of itching and it can help reduce the amount of allergy suppressive medication needed. In some cases, the allergy can be completely controlled with fish oil alone.
Quite a few studies have been done on this topic. I’ll share some of them with you.
Logas and Kunkle looked at the effects of a sea fish oil with a high concentration of EPA on itch-related skin diseases in dogs. The dogs that received the fish oil showed an improvement in itching, self-trauma and coat quality.
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was done with 60 dogs with atopy to look at the effect of essential fatty acids on saving the required dosage of corticosteroids (Saevik et al). The dogs were all predisposed to their allergy and were randomly divided into a group that received a combination of borage oil with fish oil and a group that received a placebo. After 64 days, a difference became visible between the groups, and that difference widened as the study progressed. The degree of itching was less in the study group that received the oil, and the overall clinical score was also better in that group.
In another study conducted by Mueller et al, twenty-nine dogs were divided into two groups. One group received a mineral oil as placebo and the other group received a supplement with flaxseed oil (200 mg/kg/day), eicosapentaenoic acid (50 mg/kg/day) and docosahexaenoic acid (35 mg/kg/day). Clinical scores improved in the dogs that received the oil and not in the group of dogs that received placebo alone.
Practical application and dosage
Adding omega-3 to a dog’s diet can be done in a variety of ways, such as through fish oil capsules, algae oil, or through foods naturally rich in omega-3, such as salmon.
In most cases, I recommend giving a good fish oil. See:
In a dog that is allergic to fish products, fish oil can obviously aggravate the symptoms. In that case, an algae oil with DHA and EPA is a good alternative.
Fish oil takes a while to start working properly. It can take 4-12 weeks for the fish oil to take effect.
In addition, it appears that the sooner you start it in the development of the atopy, the greater the chance that it will work properly. So don’t keep fish oil as a “last option” but start it at the first signs of a possible allergy!
It is important to follow the correct dosage, which will depend on the dog’s weight and specific health needs. A commonly used dosage is 50-100 mg of EPA/DHA per kilogram of body weight per day, but it is always advisable to consult a veterinary nutritionist for tailored advice for your dog.
Conclusion
Omega-3 fatty acids offer a promising natural addition to the treatment of allergies in dogs. Due to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, they can help alleviate the symptoms of allergies and improve the overall health of the skin and immune system. Recent studies support these benefits, indicating that omega-3 may be a valuable addition to healthcare for dogs with allergies.
With proper guidance and dosage, omega-3 supplements can contribute to a better quality of life for dogs suffering from allergies.
References
Bond, R. and Lloyd, D.H. (1994) Combined treatment with concentrated essential fatty acids and prednisolone in the management of canine atopy. Vet Rec. 134:30-32
Logas, D. and Kunkle, G. (1994) Double-blinded Crossover Study with Marine Oil Supplementation Containing High-dose icosapentaenoic Acid for the Treatment of Canine Pruritic Skin Disease. Vet Dermatol Jun;15(3):137-45.
Mueller, R. S. et al (2014) Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on canine atopic dermatitis. Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 98(6):1013-20.
Nesbitt, G.H. et al (2003) Effect of n-3 fatty acid ratio and dose on clinical manifestations, plasma fatty acids and inflammatory mediators in dogs with pruritus. . Vet. Dermatology 14:67-74
Saevic, B.K. et al (2002) Fatty acid composition of serum lipids in atopic and healthy dogs. Res. Vet. Sci. 73: 153- 8
Saevik, B.K. et al (2004) A randomized, controlled study to evaluate the steroid sparing effect of essential fatty acid supplementation in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. J Small Anim Pract 45(6):293-7.
Scott DW et al (1997) The effect of omega-3 and omega-6 containing lamb and rice diet on pruritis in atopic dogs: results of a single-blinded study. Can. J. Vet. Rev. 61:145-153
Schumann, J. et al ( ) Treating canine atopic dermatitis with unsaturated fatty acids: the role of mast cells and potential mechanisms of action
