As pet owners, we all want our furry family members to live long, happy, and healthy lives. While we know that regular exercise, eating, grooming, and veterinary care are all essential parts of pet wellness, one area that’s often overlooked is nutrition—and more specifically, the incredible benefits of nutritional supplements like omega-3 fatty acids.
At Tail Blazers Pets, we believe that good health starts from the inside out. That’s why we’re passionate about educating pet parents on how to make thoughtful, informed choices when it comes to what they feed their pets, whether it’s in the bowl or supplement form.
Why Nutrition Matters More Than Ever
Just like humans, pets are what they eat. Processed foods, environmental stressors, and even genetics can all impact a pet’s health. A diet that lacks essential nutrients can contribute to a range of problems, from dull coats and itchy skin to joint issues and inflammatory conditions.
Enter omega-3 fatty acids—a powerful, natural supplement with a wide range of scientifically backed health benefits for dogs and cats alike.
What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids primarily found in fish oils (such as salmon, sardine, and anchovy oils) as well as certain plant sources like flaxseed. These fatty acids are called “essential” because pets can’t produce them on their own—they must get them through diet or supplementation.
There are three main types of omega-3s:
- ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) – from plants like flaxseed. This specific omega-3 targets skin health and inflammation.
- EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) – from marine sources. This omega-3 targets heart, brain, and skin health and also helps with inflammation.
- DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) – also from marine sources. This omega-3 targets brain & eye development, supports cognitive function, boosts the immune system, and skin & coat health. This one is important for puppies and kittens.
For pets, EPA and DHA are the most beneficial forms of omega-3s, but that does not mean you should forget about ALA altogether. It is still essential to a pet’s diet and contributes to overall health.
Benefits of Omega-3s for Pets
Adding omega-3s to your pet’s daily routine can have a wide range of benefits, including:
- Healthier Skin & Coat
Omega-3s help reduce inflammation, relieve dry skin, and promote a shiny, soft coat. It supports skin & coat by strengthening the skin barrier, promoting moisture retention, and proper cell function to protect against damage.
- Joint Support
For aging pets or active breeds, omega-3s can reduce joint inflammation and ease the symptoms of arthritis or stiffness. Its main functions to support joint health are lubricating the joints by maintaining synovial fluid, improving blood circulation to the joints, and reducing inflammation by slowing the release of inflammatory molecules in white blood cells.
- Heart Health
These fatty acids are known to support cardiovascular function and may help regulate blood pressure. Omega-3s can reduce triglyceride levels, reduce the risk of irregular heartbeats, prevent blood clots, and improve overall circulation by preventing blood vessel clogging.
- Brain & Eye Development
In puppies and kittens, DHA is crucial for brain and retinal development. In older pets, it can help maintain cognitive function. It achieves this by promoting cellular membrane structure and function and releasing neurotransmitters.
- Immune Support
Omega-3s help modulate the immune system, reducing the risk of chronic disease and improving overall resilience. The main function that omega 3s provide to immune support is being able to improve the function of a white blood cell called a phagocyte that destroys pathogens. Therefore, the body can fight off infections with ease.
Choosing the Right Supplement
Not all omega-3 supplements are created equal. At Tail Blazers Pets, we carefully vet every product on our shelves, and we’re proud to carry a variety of high-quality, sustainably sourced omega-3 supplements tailored for pets.
When putting an omega-3 supplement on our shelves, we always consider:
- Purity & sourcing: Look for fish oil that’s third-party tested for contaminants, especially heavy metals.
- Concentration: Ensure the product lists actual amounts of EPA and DHA, not just “fish oil.”
- Packaging: Review the packaging to ensure conducive to preventing oxidation.
- Extraction Method: We like to ensure that fish oils are cold-pressed or minimally processed with a short heating time, so that the oil retains its readily available nutrition that can be missed when it is heated for extended periods.
Some great supplement examples are:
- Grizzly Oil Salmon Plus contains the highest EPA and DHA levels in its line of products. This product contains 598mg of EPA, 368mg of DHA, and 32mg of ALA for a total of 1104mg of omega-3 fatty acids per teaspoon.
- Smart Earth Camelina Oil is made from a plant source, and is predominantly high in ALA, cold-pressed, and contains 1800mg of omega-3 fatty acids per teaspoon.
- Carnivora Cold Water Fish Oil contains 802mg of EPA, 524mg of DHA for a total of 1325mg per teaspoon of essential fatty acids.
- Adored Beast Potent Sea Omega is made from microalgae oil and a small amount of sunflower oil. This oil is extracted using a water-based process. This potent sea omega contains 1700mg of DHA, 875mg of EPA, and 205mg of ALA for a total of 2780mg per teaspoon of omega 3 fatty acids.
Tail Blazers Tip
tIntroduce supplements slowly and observe your pet’s response. Within a few weeks, you may notice a shinier coat, improved mobility, and more vitality.
As always, if your pet is on any other prescribed medication or supplement, ensure that the new supplement will be ok to use alongside it.
We’re Here to Help
At Tail Blazers Pets, we believe that education is the first step toward empowered, proactive pet care. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to answer questions and recommend products based on your pet’s individual needs.
Visit your local Tail Blazers Pets location to learn more about how omega-3 supplements—and smart nutrition overall—can help your pet thrive. Because when your pet feels better, they live better. And that’s what we’re all about.
