New Studies Prove a Diet Rich in Fish Oil Helps Arthritic Pets Get Their Mojo Back

Dogs with osteoarthritis experience difficulty rising after rest, jumping, climbing stairs and usually progressive immobility. Owners often think this is inevitable and part of the ‘normal’ ageing process. Mobility issues in cats also tend to be poorly recognised because cats tend to react to painful joints by becoming more sedentary, which masks the signs. Now, two studies have just been published by a leading veterinary authority (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association) that provide conclusive proof that arthritic dogs can get their mojo back by feeding a food rich in fish oils, which contains omega-3 fatty acids.^1,2

• Arthritic dogs improved so much that their owners noticed their dogs were better at standing up after rest and could play more after 6 weeks. After 6 months their pets were also walking better.


• Dogs were also able to put more weight on their affected/arthritic legs.  Those dogs fed fish oil rich food were seven times as likely to show improved weight bearing compared with dogs fed an ‘off the shelf’ food.


• Overall, a ‘significant clinical improvement’ was reported by researchers.

The studies were carried out using food made to the same formula as Hill’s^TM Prescription Diet^TM Canine j/d^TM, which is currently available from vet clinics in the UK. Hill’s^TM j/d^TM remains the only food for arthritic dogs to be proven in clinical studies to help dogs walk, run and jump better in as little as 21 days^3,4. Hill’s^TM Prescription Diet^TM Feline j/d ^TM is also available from vets and is formulated to improve mobility in cats in just 28 days.

How Does it Work?

The vets and nutritionists at Hill’s^TM say this research hails a breakthrough in the understanding of how fatty acids can support the joints of pets suffering osteoarthritis. Fish oils contain high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). EPA can down-regulate the enzymes that degrade cartilage. Cartilage helps to provide a buffer within the joint and as it degrades, arthritis tends to get worse. High levels of omega-3 fatty acids can also help to reduce inflammation.^5,6

The experts at Hill’s^TM say that in 21 days a dog with mobility problems fed j/d will walk, run and jump better and a cat on j/d will show visible improvements in 28 days. The company vets point out that the level of fish oils that has to be added is significant and needs to be looked at in the context of the whole diet – which may already contain certain types of fatty acids that don’t allow fish oils to exert an optimal effect.

Help for Pet Owners

Pet owners can visit www.hillspetmobility.co.uk for an on-line mobility score card, mobility information and to register for mobility support programme with money-off coupons.

Case Study

Judith was a healthy, active one-year-old Labrador retriever puppy who loved nothing more than running around open spaces, until one day she twisted awkwardly and damaged the elbow joint in her front right leg.

“Within a few months of that, arthritis had set in and Judith had become an ‘old dog’… cranky, reluctant to go for walk or even to get up from her bed some days, and she hadn’t even reached her second birthday. On the advice of my vet, we started feeding her j/d along with her anti-inflammatory medication. We couldn’t believe the change. She got her youth back in days and became the little bundle of energy she used to be… and that was over many years ago. She still loves her j/d twice a day – it’s what’s keeping Judith going strong!”

Susie Harrison, London

References

1. Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. Roush J, Dodd C, Fritsch A, Allen T, Jewell D, Schoenherr W, Richardson D, Leventhal P, Hahn K, JAVMA Vol 236 No 1, Jan 2010 pp 59-66


2. Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs. Roush J, Cross A, Renberg W, Dodd C, Sixby K, Fritsch A, Allen T, Jewell, Richardson D, Leventhal P, Hahn K, JAVMA Vol 236 No 1, Jan 2010 pp67-73

1. Fritsch D, Allen TA, Dodd CE, et al. Dose-titration effects of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids in osteoarthritic dogs. unpublished

1. Fritsch D, Final Report, 10-10-08

1. Dietary modification of inflammation with lipids, P C Calder, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2002 345-358


2. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory mediator production, James M J, Cleland L G, Gibson R A, Am J Clin Nut 2000: 71 suppl 343S- 358S

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