Fatty Acids

Fatty Acids (there are over 70 of them!) are important for a wide array of cell structure components and for many chemical reactions in the body including hormonal and energy activities. Fatty Acids play a vital role in establishing a healthy lipid barrier in the skin to block irritants and infections. In an animal's body (and ours) the liver and other tissues can make many of the fatty acids that are required for the body's chemical factory to operate. In dogs, though, there is one that they cannot make... Linoleic Acid (also called Omega6 Fatty Acid). So THAT is called an ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID because the dog needs to consume it from dietary sources. With adequate

Omega6 in the dog's diet the other fatty acids needed for metabolism can be created internally. In cats there are two ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS, Linoleic and Arachidonic Acids. And since Arachidonic Acid is only present in animal tissues, cats must consume meat as a source for this chemical.

See also:

Soft and health dog hair
Essential Fatty Acid Supplements
What's so great about essential fatty acids?"