The Pet Factor | Spike's Spot

SPIKE SAYS...

Question: Can dogs and cats see colors?

Spike Says: Dogs and cats have rods and cones in their retinas but in a different proportion than in the human retina. Although they can differentiate colors, what they see is likely a more muted version of what we see. Dogs, especially, probably see more shades of gray than they do all of the individual colors.

Cats, by the way, can concentrate small amounts of light in their eyes, which allows them to see at night when the rest of us have difficulty. This special talent gives them their extraordinary night hunting vision.

Question: How can I stop my dog from drooling so much?

Spike Says: Though it may not be the most attractive thing your dog does, a little drooling is perfectly healthy and there's no need to stop it. Dogs drool for a lot of reasons, including nervousness, excitement, and the anticipation of mealtime. Certain breeds, like St. Bernards and Newfoundlands, are naturally more prone to drooling than others. To save your carpet and furniture from your drooly dog, you can wipe his mouth periodically. Chew toys may also encourage your dog to work his mouth and swallow more, or they can at least concentrate the drool on a couple of objects instead of allowing it to spread.

If you're worried that your dog's salivation is excessive, you can take him to your veterinarian for an examination. Some health problems can cause drooling, including nausea, anxiety, and painful teeth; your veterinarian can rule these out.

What Are Omega Fatty Acids?

Omega fatty acids are in a class of dietary fats that have highly significant effects on the individual consuming them. They are composed primarily of carbon and hydrogen with a small amount of oxygen. Fatty acid requirements of felines are slightly different from the canine’s but both depend upon high quality fat sources in their diets. Over the past twenty years a tremendous amount of research on humans and animals have proven that Omega fatty acid intake in proper ratios and quantities effects a wide range of biochemical actions. Clotting factors, neurological development, cell membrane integrity and function, immune competence, energy generation and fat metabolism are just some of the metabolic activities directly affected by Omega fatty acids.

Omega3 fatty acid, Omega6 fatty acid and Arachidonic acid are the three main fatty acids impacting the health status of dogs and cats. Dogs must eat Omega6 fatty acid in their food in order to survive; and from this single source the other two fatty acids can be created within the dog. Cats need both Omega6 fatty acid and Arachidonic acid and according to some nutritionists they even require an Omega3 fatty acid in their diet in order to survive.

What Are The Sources Of Omega Fatty Acids?
Omega-6 fatty acid is found in safflower, sunflower, corn and evening primrose oils and Borage oil. Linoleic Acid, which is one kind of naturally occurring Omega6 fatty acid, is found in common pet-food ingredients such as corn and chicken fat and is a required nutritional component of the canine and feline diet.

Omega3 fatty acids are derived from plant and animal sources. Fish oils, especially cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, and herring, and in animals that feed on these fish, are the primary dietary sources of Omega3 fatty acids. Omega3 fatty acids are also found in oils from some plants such as canola and flaxseeds. Walnuts, freshly ground wheat germ, and soybeans also contain significant amounts.

Arachidonic Acid (AA), an essential fatty acid for felines, is present in some fish oils, pork fat and poultry fat. Sources of both Omega3 and Omega6 fatty acids are dried beans such as great northern, kidney, navy and soybeans. Certain fish are very rich in EFAs. The body can convert EFAs from fish more easily than fatty acids from other sources.

What Do Fatty Acids Do In The Body?
Fatty acids are precursors to many highly active and influential chemicals that play a role in modulating a variety of biochemical pathways. Immune function, energy production and utilization, cell membrane strength and function, reduction and/or stimulation of inflammation are but a few of the activities attributed to derivatives of fatty acids. The production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins and eicosanoids has profound effects on the health status of the dog and cat… and human.

Why Are They Important?
Without certain fatty acids in the diet mammals simply would not survive; they are as essential to life as water or oxygen. Only through ingestion of a select few fatty acids in the diet are dogs, cats and us able to live and thrive. Conversely, if only poor quality fatty acids are available via the diet, or if high quality fatty acids are present but in minimal amounts or in improper ratios dogs, cats and humans will not thrive. No truer phrase has been uttered than that which states, “we are what we eat” when it comes to the influence fatty acids have on health status. Provide your dog or cat a diet that has low levels of fatty acids, or poor quality fatty acids, or fatty acids that have been degraded by exposure to air, high temperatures or harmful chemicals and the animal will surely suffer the consequences. Research has demonstrated that changes in the dietary fatty acids actually modify the fatty acid composition of the cell membrane. Any changes in the cell membrane lipid composition changes the cell function. Eicosanoids derived from Arachidonic acid (AA) tend to increase inflammatory processes compared to eicosanoids derived from (GLA) gamma-linolenic acid or (EPA) eicosapentaenoic acid.