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The health benefits of salmon for dogs and cats

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The health benefits of including Omega-3 fats in a human’s diet are widely known and accepted. But, did you know that Omega-3 fats also provide our pets with a range of health benefits as well when included in their diet through proteins such as Salmon?

Second only to protein, fats form a vital part of our pets’ dietary requirements. Fats provide energy, are critical for normal cell function as well as the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). Fats are also the precursor to hormones and have a remarkable impact on inflammation.

So a diet with adequate fat, the right type of fat and the right balance of these fats, is just as important to your pets’ health, as it is your own.

Omega-3 fats are not as common in our pets’ diets as saturated fats, unsaturated fats and omega-6 fatty acids. Unfortunately, depending on how pet food is processed, trans-fatty acids (which are the harmful fats) may also be present.

These saturated, unsaturated and omega-6 fats do provide health benefits, as long as they are supported by good amounts of omega-3 fats in the diet. It’s a bit like a see saw, where the balance of each type of fat is important in ensuring optimal health overall.

Omega-3 fats are beneficial as they help to control the inflammatory process in the body and can benefit pets in many ways including:

  • Healthy joint function especially as pets age
  • Healthy skin and coat
  • A decreased incidence and symptoms of allergies
  • A positive impact on inflammation throughout the entire system
  • Healthy cardiovascular function

Fresh fish is one of the best ways to integrate high quality omega-3 fatty acids into your pets’ diet and understanding where the fish that goes into your pet’s diets comes from is important when weighing up the pros of a high fish diet, versus some of the negative associations, such as contamination by heavy metals for example.

Big Dog Pet Foods use salmon as their omega-3 source in their raw food diet range and this salmon is sourced from Huon Aquaculture, majority-family owned and operated salmon producer in Tasmania. Big Dog chooses to partner with Huon Aquaculture as their salmon supplier for many reasons.

First and foremost, Huon Aquaculture approach salmon farming with an emphasis on animal welfare. It’s this approach that saw Huon Aquaculture become Australia’s first RSPCA Approved salmon producer.

Peter and Frances Bender, the founders of Huon Aquaculture, believe that being RSPCA Approved demonstrated the level of care that they have for Huon Salmon.

According to Frances Bender, “Fish welfare has always been essential to every aspect of what we do and we are proud to be leading the way in farming salmon safely, sustainably and with a strong focus on welfare.

“Being able to supply Australia’s only range of RSPCA Approved Salmon means that people who truly care about animal welfare and want the best for themselves and their families can now do that with confidence by choosing Huon.”

It’s this level of commitment to ethical and sustainable farming that passionate pet owners and Big Dog Pet Foods believe in, that resulted in Huon being the natural choice for Big Dog.

The philosophy behind the unique way in which Huon salmon are farmed, really shows in the final product.

For more information, visit: huonsalmon.com.au and bigdogpetfoods.com


A food science graduate, Chris Essex founded in 2000 after many years working in the smallgoods industry, before he recognised a gap in the market to create pet food for dogs made up of bones and raw food that was full of nutritional ingredients.  Visit www.bigdogpetfoods.com

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