Arachidonic acid
What is arachidonic acid?
Arachidonic acid is a quadruply unsaturated fatty acid, i.e. it has four double bonds between the carbon atoms. It belongs to the omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids. This means that the body cannot produce it itself and is dependent on its intake through food.
Arachidonic acid serves as the starting point for the formation of eicosanoids of series 2. Eicosanoids are tissue hormones that have various effects in the body. For example, they can promote or inhibit inflammation, influence the immune system or constrict or dilate blood vessels.
Where is arachidonic acid found?
Arachidonic acid is mainly found in animal foods. Particularly high amounts are found in egg yolk, offal such as liver or kidney and fatty meat such as pork or lamb. Fish oil also contains arachidonic acid.
Plant foods contain hardly any arachidonic acid. However, dogs (and humans) can form arachidonic acid from another omega-6 fatty acid called linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is found in sunflower oil or corn oil, for example.
How much arachidonic acid does your dog need?
There is no precise recommendation for the optimal amount of arachidonic acid for dogs. However, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids should be balanced. Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential fatty acids that form anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory eicosanoids. They are mainly found in fish oil and linseed oil.
A good ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is between 5:1 and 10:1, which means that you should feed your dog around five to ten times as many omega-6 fatty acids as omega-3 fatty acids. You can achieve this, for example, by regularly giving your dog fish oil or linseed oil as a dietary supplement.
The guideline for the total amount of fat in the raw diet is around 50 mg per day and kilogram of body weight. This corresponds to around 10 to 15 percent of your dog's energy requirements. You should make sure that you feed your dog both animal and vegetable fats.
What are the benefits of arachidonic acid?
Arachidonic acid is essential for your dog's health. It is involved in many important processes in the body, such as
- the regulation of blood pressure
- blood clotting
- wound healing
- the defense against pathogens
- Reproduction
Arachidonic acid can also promote brain function and learning.
What are the disadvantages of arachidonic acid?
However, arachidonic acid can also have negative effects if it is present in excess or if the balance with omega-3 fatty acids is disturbed. Too much arachidonic acid can, for example
- Increase inflammation
- increase pain
- trigger allergies
- Weaken the immune system
- promote cardiovascular diseases
You should therefore make sure that you don't feed your dog too much arachidonic acid and that it gets enough omega-3 fatty acids.
Arachidonic acid is an important fatty acid for your dog. It has many positive effects in the body, but can also have negative consequences if it is imbalanced with the omega-3 fatty acids. You should therefore make sure that you feed your dog a balanced mix of animal and vegetable fats and regularly give him fish oil or linseed oil as a dietary supplement.
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If you notice any signs of hypersensitivity or poisoning in your dog, you should see your vet immediately. We are not a substitute for a vet, but we try to be as accurate as possible. Every dog reacts differently and we recommend you get a second opinion or consult your vet if in doubt.
Stay healthy and take good care of your four-legged friend!😊
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