CONSUMPTION OF ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS IN SELECTED
COMMERCIAL DOG FOODS COMPARED TO DIETARY
SUPPLEMENTATION
Roudebush P1, Bloom PB2, Jewell DJ1
Hill’s Science & Technology Center. P0 Box 1658, Topeka. Kansas 66601
2
Animal & Dermatology Clinic for Anima1s, 31205 Five Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48154
Funding: Hill‘s Pet Nutrition, Inc.
1
BACKGROUND
The use of fatty acids in pruritic dogs and cats has been the subject of numerous studies and considerable debate. Most of
the studies have been uncontrolled open clinical trials using low doses of fatty acids for short periods of time. The fatty
acid intake via the food was not controlled in most of the studies.
OBJECTIVE
Compare the total n-6 and total n-3 fatty acid intake of a dog being fed a variety of commercial pet foods to levels of
fatty acids provided in selected dietary supplements.
MATERIALS & METHODS
Energy density (kcal/gram food) and essential fatty acid concentrations (total n-6 and total n-3 fatty acids, mg/gram
food) were obtained for 25 commercial dog foods which represented typical grocery brand, specialty brand and
veterinary medical foods fed in the United States. Information was obtained from manufacturers published information (13)
or analysis of product (Woodson-Tenent Laboratories, Des Moines, Iowa). Results of analyticals were the mean value
of samples taken from a minimum of three manufacturing date codes. Energy density was calculated using a standard
technique.(4) The total food consumed (grams), total n-6 fatty acids consumed (milligrams), and total n-3 fatty acids
consumed (milligrams) were calculated for a 10 kg dog eating 600 kcals per day. The total n-6 and total n-3 fatty acid
concentrations of the dietary supplements were obtained from published information.(5,6) No attempt was made to
quantify the consumption of individual fatty acids since this information was often not available.
RESULTS
The total essential fatty acid intake for a 10 kg dog eating 600 kcal per day or being given one of the selected
supplements is summarized.
Product
Eukanuba Original, dry
Eukanuba Adult, dry
Eukanuba Light, dry
Eukanuba Puppy, dry
Eukanuba Response Formula, dry
Eukanuba Response Formula, canned
Eukanuba Nutritional Recovery, dry
Eukanuba Nutritional Recovery, canned
Iams Puppy, dry
Iams Less Active, dry
NutroMax, Dry
Food
consumed
(grams)
135
139
155
133
147
476
129
300
140
171
140
Total n:6
consumed
(mg)
4300
3504
2628
5453
2353
9381
5418
6690
4900
4446
5460
13th Proceedings of AAVD/ACVD Meeting 1997
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Total n:3
consumed
(mg)
782
638
479
1596
441
1285
1058
810
280
342
280
NutroMax Special, dry
Prescription Diet Canine d/d, dry
Prescription Diet Canine d/d, canned
Prescription Diet Canine/Feline a/d, canned
Purina Dog Chow, dry
Purina Puppy Chow, dry
Purina Fit‘N Trim, dry
Purina HiPro, dry
Purina ProPlan Lite, dry
Science Diet Canine Maintenance, dry
Science Diet Canine Light, dry
Science Diet Canine Senior, dry
Science Diet Canine Maint, Lamb Meal & Rice,dry
Science Diet Canine Active, dry
EFA-Caps
EFA-Caps HP
EFA-Z Plus
Palavite
Pet-Derm OM Regular
Pet-Derm OM Extra Strength
Pet-Derm OM Liquid
Derm Caps Regular
Derm Caps ES
Derm Caps Liquid
Derm Caps ES Liquid
Dermega III Regular
Dermega III Extra Strength
Omegaderm-3
Palamega
158
148
432
472
158
158
182
158
182
155
216
169
154
130
3634
5039
2633
6230
3160
2844
3002
3160
3640
5179
7488
5662
5081
6760
1 capsule
1 capsule
1/4oz
l0 g scoop
1 capsule
1 capsule
2ml
1 capsule
1 capsule
1 ml
1ml
1 capsule
1 capsule
5 ml
1 tablet
10
30
3410
492
14
28
28
402
368
621
375
310
412
3550
95
158
563
647
2832
158
158
182
158
182
529
777
575
798
650
75
160
83
95
135
270
270
42
125
65
130
63
172
56
105
CONCLUSIONS
Total essential fatty acid intake, total n-6 fatty acid intake and total n-3 fatty acid intake varies tremendously depending upon the
commercial pet food eaten by the dog. Levels of n-6 fatty acids and n-3 fatty acids consumed in the food often far exceed levels which are
provided by commercial dietary supplements. This suggests that future clinical trials with fatty acid supplements should always use a
controlled level of fatty acids in the food. The use of supplements may be ineffective in modifying fatty acid intake in dogs eating some
types of commercial foods. The levels of individual fatty acids (e.g., DGLA, EPA, and DHA) in the food and supplement may be
important and should be further evaluated.
REFERENCES
1. Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Product Reference Guide. Iams Co., Dayton, OH, 1996.
2. Technical information Manual Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Topeka. KS, 1996.
3. Coffman HD. Comparative Reference Guide to Premium Dry Dog Food. Nashua, NH PigDog Press;
1994.
4 . Association of American Feed Control Officials. Official Publication, 1997.
5. Ackerman L. Dermatological use of fatty acids in dogs and cats. Vet Med 1995; 90: 1149-1155.
6. Compendium of Veterinary Products. North American Compendiums, Port Huron, ML, 1995.
13th Proceedings Of AAVD/ACVD Meeting 1997
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