Dogs live an interesting and wonderful life if they have optimal health. They also live long, sometimes beyond the years that their breed is supposed to keep breathing the air we humans also breathe.
Well, who wouldn’t want to enjoy life and make wonderful memories with their lovely pooch? This is why you must pay critical attention to your dog. Just like you, your dog needs essential nutrients in the required amount for optimal health.
There are several good sources of nutrients for your dog. Most of these nutrients can be easily acquired from the food you feed to your dog. Others will have to be given to your dog through nutritional supplements.
One of such essential nutrients that are extremely beneficial to your dog’s overall health is Krill oil.
What is Krill Oil?
Krill oil is simply the oil (extract) from Krill. Krill is a small shrimp-like crustacean that lives in the deep depths of the Antartic Ocean. Krill is packed with an enormous amount of essential nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids.
The omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, in krill oil have advantages that outweigh that of Fish oil. This is the reason why vets recommend krill oil more than they do for fish oils.
Benefits of Krill Oil
Krill oil boasts of several advantages over other good sources of omega-3 for dogs. The omega-3 fatty acids that come from krill oil are unique mainly because of where the krill used for krill oil is obtained. Krill is found so many feet in the deeper parts of the pristine Antartic sea. A place which is safe from most predators of the deep sea.
The Antartic ocean is far from industrial production so the krill from there isn’t contaminated with industrial chemicals and heavy metals like mercury making it safe for your dog’s consumption.
Krills feed on algae including phytoplankton and this is a major reason why you would want to include krill oil in your dog’s diet.
Phytoplankton have numerous health benefits including detoxifying the body, boosting heart health and strengthening immunity. They are packed with complete proteins, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Since they’re the only source of food for krills, when krills consume phytoplankton they’re are fortified with the vast health benefits of phytoplankton. The benefits your dog derives from krill oil include:
- Enhances brain function
- Stronger heart muscle with improved heart function
- Healthier Skin and coat
- Better joint function and reduced risk of joint problems in senior dogs
- Support cell growth for faster healing
- Promotes and maintains your dog’s vision
- Support healthy growth and boosts dog reproduction
Krill oil is fortified with additional nutrients that are equally beneficial to your dog. These nutrients include phospholipids, choline, and astaxanthin.
The phospholipids make it possible for EPA and DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) in krill oil to be absorbed faster into the body. This makes your dog’s body gain the benefits of omega-3s faster than that of fish oils.
Choline is the essential nutrient that your dog’s body needs for better function of the way nerve cells communicate (nerve impulse) with each other. Also, it plays a major role in muscle function. Your dog needs to walk, jump and run so this body function is very important. And this is why choline is a much-needed nutrient for your dog.
Astaxanthin is an additional essential nutrient which makes krill oil more important, unique and something you should consider including in your dog’s daily meal. It is a naturally occurring antioxidant. And its main role is to prevent and fight against free radicals.
Free radicals are a catalyst for diseases in your dog’s body so if an important substance (astaxanthin) in krill oil fights against these free radicals, then shouldn’t you regularly give your dog krill oil?
The nutrients in krill oil including omega-3 fatty acids, phospholipids, choline, astaxanthin and some vitamins (including vitamin A, C, E, and K) all together make krill oil extremely beneficial to your dog.
Should Your Dog Take Krill Oil Supplements?
If all things were perfect, your dog should be able to acquire all the nutrients the body needs for optimal function. But the food you feed your dog doesn’t contain the exact essential nutrients in the right ratio. So there is the need to include krill oil supplements in your dog’s food.
There are good krill supplements that you can give to your dog without any serious adverse effects on your dog. However, since you’re not a professional, consult a veterinary doctor before you give any krill oil supplement or any other pet nutritional supplement to your lovely dog.