Do you ever find yourself talking about your pets like they’re people? Our four-legged companions bring so much joy to our lives that we just couldn’t imagine life without them, which is why on yesterday’s Poop Scoop, Brenda Watson interviewed her friend and personal veterinarian Dr. Joel Murphy about how to help pets stay healthy, happy and full of energy. Watch the full archive here.

Dr. Murphy is a nationally known holistic veterinarian whose passion for animal well being has created a whole new standard in veterinary care. In addition to his advanced training in dog and cat diseases, he’s also the founder of The Animal and Bird Medical Center. Listen as Dr. Murphy and Brenda talk about the benefits of combining both conventional and natural veterinary medicine, and how the right diet and holistic therapies like herbs and flower essences can improve the health and emotional well being of pets of all ages. 

And don’t forget to listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer.

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It’s no secret that beneficial Omega oils from fish and other natural sources provide countless health benefits for your body, but did you know that they’re also good for your best friend? Research shows that the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in particular provide powerful natural nutrition that helps improve the overall health of your dog, so adding Omega-3s to his diet is one of the most important things you can do to keep him looking and feeling his best every day.

Omega-3 Benefits for Dogs:

• Support brain health
• Promote healthy nervous system function
• Promote and help maintain kidney health
• Support skin and coat health
• Potent anti-inflammatory properties
• Help relieve joint pain & inflammation

How Much Omega-3 Does My Dog Need?

It’s important to know that compared with humans, dogs need a higher level of Omega-3s to get the most benefit. For this reason, supplementation with a high-quality, concentrated fish oil supplement is recommended. (Note: Although many dog foods list Omega-3 as a benefit on the label, few contain enough Omega-3s to provide any significant benefit.)

Not All Sources of Omega-3 Are Equal!

The best sources of Omega-3 for dogs come from animal foods rather than plant sources. For example, flaxseed is a source of Omega-3, but it is in the form of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which your pet’s body must then convert into the active Omega-3s DHA and EPA. However, because dogs cannot process ALA very well, animal-derived EPA and DHA are the best sources, specifically the Omega-3 fatty acids from small, cold-water fish such as anchovies and sardines.

Want to learn more about Natural Supplements for Dogs? Check out the Pet Health section in our online Learning Center!

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