Flaxseed Oil to Treat Cardiac Disease in Dogs

Flaxseed oil is a common staple among healthy adults who are looking for ways in which to promote health naturally with the use of diet. As a source of healthy fatty acids, and commonly known as a natural anti-inflammatory, many American households utilize flaxseed oil in daily cooking. Even for your family pet, and especially for dogs, the use of flaxseed oil may prove equally beneficial.

Dogs, much like humans, experience complications with cardiovascular disease with aging and inflammation are a key concern for many veterinarians and dog owners. If your dog has entered mid-life, or has developed a cardiovascular complication, it is important to consider not only traditional Western veterinarian medicine but also the use of alternative healing options. Flaxseed oil, when added to your dog's daily diet, may provide the key health benefit for fighting inflammation and cardiovascular complications.

Available in both capsules and oils, dog owners find that giving flaxseed oil to their dogs is easiest by simply adding the oil to the dog food bowl and mixing the flaxseed oil into the dog food. In most cases, your dog will not even notice the change in the food offered to them but the health benefits will go along way in improving health and reducing cardiac disease in your dog.

Flaxseed oil, of course, can age rather quickly. Be sure, therefore, that if you are giving your dog flaxseed oil as part of a daily diet, that you are keeping only fresh flaxseed oil available and for use. If there is any question about the quality of the flaxseed oil, do not use it. In most cases, if you keep flaxseed oil in a dark, cool area, it will last until the expiration date listed on the bottle.

In addition to aging, and loss of potency, it is also important to talk with your veterinarian about the use of flaxseed oil in your dog and determine what the best dosing schedule should be. Because there are some toxic effects associated with the use of flaxseed oil, your veterinarian should outline what dosing recommendations to follow.

By including your vet in these health discussions, you can further the health of your dog and your veterinarian can determine if the flaxseed oil is providing a net value to your dog's overall cardiovascular health. In the long term, your dog should experience a boost in energy and health as the cardiovascular system is enhanced and the flaxseed oil works to reduce inflammation in the body that is so common to the aging process in canines.

Sources: The Complete Guide to Nutritional Supplements, pp. 155-157.