Q: Is the source of fat important?

A: While the level of fat in a performance dog food is important, the source of this fat is significant too. Fat not only provides energy but also is the source of important fatty acids. Fatty acids make up cell walls, provide nourishment to the skin, and are important to the immune system.

Different fat types provide different levels of the various fatty acids used by the dog. The omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have received the most attention from researchers because they have different inflammatory properties in the dog's tissues. Fatty acids produce substances called eicosanoids (eye-ko-san-oids). These eicosanoids play an important part in injury repair and reducing inflammation.

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are cold-water fish oil, flaxseed oil and canola oil. Since omega-3 fatty acid eicosanoids counteract the inflammatory actions of the omega-6 fatty acid eicosanoids to a degree, scientists have found that the key is to have an adjusted ratio of each fatty acid type in the dog's food. (Inflammation in moderation is an important part of the dog's immune system, and some omega-6 fatty acids are essential for good health and a normal response to injury.)

Foods like Eukanuba® Premium Performance 30/20 that provide an adjusted ratio will have a guaranteed analysis of the fatty acids on the label documenting the ratio.