Omega-3 supplemented food could help dogs with osteoarthritis

Reprinted from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 03/17/10 NEWStat volume 8 issue 6

Dogs suffering from osteoarthritis could benefit from foods with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, according to new research.

A series of three studies on the supplement suggested that osteoarthritic dogs that were fed omega-3-rich foods benefitted from less pain and increased mobility. According to the studies, dogs with chronic pain showed improvement in ability to play after six weeks on the fatty acid-enhanced diet; and limb strength improved in dogs on the diet.

The most recent of the three studies suggested that dogs required less non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) after omega-3 supplementation.

“Results suggested that in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis receiving carprofen because of signs of pain, feeding a diet supplemented with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids may allow for a reduction in carprofen dosage,” the study concludes.

The studies were sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, which makes a type of dog food with omega-3 fatty acids. The research appeared in issues of the Journal of the American Veterinary Association.