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Written by: Sarah Seward-Langdon
Published on: 09/16/2024
While interest in the impact of omegas on dog behaviour has increased in recent years, there is still a limited number of studies supporting their effect on a dog's behaviour.
That said, people often overlook the various factors that contribute to behaviour. For example, a dog’s overall health—a canine with general good health is likely to be better behaved than one suffering from pain or discomfort. When we consider elements like these, omega fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6, are essential nutrients that play a crucial roll in multiple aspects of a dog’s health.
There is lots of proof that ensuring your dog has the right amount of omega fatty acids is beneficial for the skin, fur, and joints, but can omegas also influence your dog's behaviour? Let's take a look into the potential benefits.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are crucial for humans and dogs alike. Our bodies cannot produce them independently, which means that we need to get these essential fats through a proper diet.
EFAs are divided into two main groups: omega-3s and omega-6s. While both types are necessary, commercial pet foods often contain higher levels of omega-6 (from sources like seeds and vegetables), making it important to supplement our dogs' diets with omega-3 fatty acids [1].
Discover how camelina oil can support your pup's health with balanced omega-3s and omega-6s
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are vital for brain health. Studies suggest that DHA enhances cognitive function in dogs, potentially improving learning, memory, and behaviour [2].
No matter your dog's age, omega supplements can positively impact their behaviour because cognitive function plays a big role in their personality and how they act. For example, giving puppies DHA can improve their trainability, leading to better behaviour as they grow [3].
Older dogs with Canine Cognitive Disorder (CCD) can also benefit from omega supplements. Adding these to their diet can help ease symptoms like confusion, memory lapses, agitation, and other signs of age-related cognitive decline [2]. This means your dog can feel and behave more like themselves, even in their old age!
Have you considered that badly behaved dogs may be outwardly showing they’re in pain? Chronic inflammation can affect a dog's behaviour, leading to discomfort and anxiety [4].
Since essential fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation, promoting a calmer and more relaxed demeanor. This can be particularly beneficial for dogs with anxiety-related behavioural issues.
Newer studies show that omega fatty acids can play a role in mood regulation for dogs, particularly to calm anxious pets. Proper levels of these nutrients can help stabilize mood, which means a dog on a well-balanced diet is less likely to show aggressive, hyperactive, or anxious behaviour.
This is especially relevant for dogs prone to stress or those with a history of behavioural problems.
What's the science behind this? Low levels of DHA can affect important brain chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These chemicals help control anxiety, thinking, and mood. Without enough DHA, dogs might feel more anxious, have trouble thinking clearly, and feel depressed [5].
So before you turn to drugs like prozac, why not talk to your vet about adding omega supplements to your pet’s diet first?
While there is growing anecdotal evidence from pet owners about the benefits of omega supplements, scientific research is still catching up. Some studies have shown promising results, particularly regarding cognitive function and anxiety reduction. However, more extensive, long-term research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
Before adding any supplements to your dog's diet, we always recommend consulting with your veterinarian. They can recommend the right type and dosage based on your dog's specific needs.
High-quality fish oil supplements are a popular choice for Omega-3s, while balanced commercial diets often provide adequate Omega-6 levels. Worried because your dog doesn’t like fish or is allergic? There are great alternative omega supplements such as kelp or camelina oil.
So, now we know that omega levels can impact your dog's behaviour, both directly and indirectly. While the science isn't entirely settled, many pet owners have noticed positive changes in behaviour after adding omega fatty acids to their dogs' diets. Don't overlook these supplements—they may be the key to keeping your dog both happy and better behaved!
By focusing on your dog's nutritional needs, you’re able to support their physical health, as well as their emotional and behavioural well-being. This means a happier, more balanced pet and a stronger bond between you and your canine companion.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
"Sarah is a marketing specialist with a passion for anything creative! Her openness to working across industries and job opportunities has allowed her to gain enormous amounts of experience in graphic design, video production, and written content creation. Animals have a special place in her heart as she grew up with cats and now owns her own Alaskan Malamute. She has spent the last couple of years in Vancouver working with different companies within the pet industry and gained valuable knowledge about the ins and outs of the (alternative) pet food industry, supplementation, and various training methods. When she’s not digitally creating content for pet lovers to consume, she’s out eating great food, dancing at drop-in classes, or exploring the beautiful Canadian scenery with her fur-child Miso."
