Adding Essential Fatty Acids To Your Pets Diet

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are a requirement in everyone's diet, for both human and animal. However, the body cannot produce EFAs on its own, so it must be added to the diet each day. The two most commonly known fatty acids are omega 3 (linoleic acid) and omega 6 (alpha-linoleic acid). The diets of our pets, like people, tend to include more omega 6 fatty acids rather than omega 3. This is an imbalance that needs to be improved upon.

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential as they help with the proper formation of cell membranes, cardiovascular functions, nourish the lining of the digestive tract, and work to keep your pet's skin and coat smooth, soft and shiny. Another essential function of omega 3 fatty acids is that they work to reduce inflammatory problems in the body. If you find your pet's coat is dull and brittle or if he/she tends to have dry skin and scratch a lot, it may be due to a lack of this particular fatty acid.

There are different types of essential fatty acid supplements that are available, however which kind you choose to supplement your dog or cat's diet can be a bit of a dilemma. 

Pure plant oils such as flax oil, evening primrose oil, safflower oil or a blend of plant oils is a good alternative to fish omega-3 fats. These should be "cold-pressed" oils, as opposed to oils that are typically extracted with chemical solvents. The problem with plant oils is that animals have a harder time converting the fatty acids to a form best used by the animal's system. 

Fish oils, such as salmon oil, halibut liver oil, or cod liver oil are more easily converted and used by an animal's body. The downside is that fish oils often contain deadly toxins, including high levels of dangerous PCBs, dioxins and detectable levels of mercury. Farmed salmon is the worst for contamination and contains less omega 3 acids than wild salmon. At present nearly 30% of all fish are farmed, with salmon being in the 90% farmed range. As well, farmed salmon are often carriers of disease and parasites. When supplementing your pet's diet with fish oils, choose oils that come from wild sources, not farmed.

There are also blended fish and plant oil supplements available. These often include a mixture of salmon or cod liver oil and flax, safflower or other such oils that provide a mixture of 3 to 4 parts omega 3 oils to 1 part omega 6 oils. Giving your animal a combination fish/plant supplement may be a good alternative to consider, as they should contain fewer toxins since they are not strictly fish oils, yet still should be better assimilated by the animal's body than straight plant oils.

Quick Facts About Siamese Cats

Siamese cats are very regal, smart and playful felines. They can communicate with their companions and love spending time with them. They can be easily recognized by their distinct body type and fun personalities. Siamese cats have a wide range of skin colors and markings. Lets look at some more cool facts about them.

The Siamese cat is originally from Thailand, formerly known as Siam. They are one of the oldest domestic cat breeds. In Siam, they were considered a member of the royal family. You can find them depicted in ancient manuscripts dating back to 1350. They were so well liked that, in 1871, this blue-eyed cat was on display in the Crystal Palace of London. There was so much interest created by this display, the Siamese cat increased in popularity.

These kitties can create a wide range of vocal noises. This helps them to express what they want to their owners. The Siamese are not known to be very affectionate but love people. They are very smart cats and can be taught simple tricks such as fetch.

Siamese kittens are born white. They develop their markings at about four weeks. Their coloring will appear on the cooler parts of their body. This is a result of a partial albinism gene in their body that is sensitive to heat. As they age, their coloring will get darker.

Siamese cats have the longest lives of domestic cats. They call live up to 20 years. The Siamese is a relatively healthy cat with few problems. These cats tend to have some gum problems, so you will need to brush their teeth weekly. A veterinary visit may be needed if their mouth becomes irritated.

These cats have beautiful blue eyes, creamy colored coats and dark markings on the coats, referred to as points. There are a wide range of color markings in this family. The Seal Points have dark brown marks while others may have blue points with grayish marks. They can also vary from chocolate points to red points and even lilac points.

There are also different body types of these classy cats. The traditional Applehead has a round head similar to an apple and is the largest breed. The smaller cats with a triangular face are part of the Classic breed. The Wedgehead, or Modern breed, have a look that is a combination of the Classic and Traditional looks. All of the breeds have long noses, pointed ears and sleek bodies.

Siamese cats love companionship. They become very attached to their owners and don't do well if left alone for long hours. Having a playmate or cat sitter available for those extra long days will help keep your kitty happy.

The Siamese cat is a popular breed for many reasons. Their highly social behavior helps make them sought after for many families. Bringing one into your home will certainly bring added joy to your family.

Cats have always been a passion of mine no matter the breed. Experiencing the joy they bring has made every day better for me and my family. Enjoy every purrfect day with your furry friend.

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5 Most Common Dog Health Problems

Dogs are among the smartest pets a person can have; they can convey a lot of things to their owners, but they can't tell you when they aren't feeling well. Canines can face many different health issues unfortunately, and it is up to you to ensure sure that they receive the proper care when they are afflicted with a medical condition.

You can purchase quality dog and cat health products at ePet; they deliver to all areas of Hong Kong. These products, along with timely visits to the vet, will help keep your dog healthy. You can do your part as well by looking for signs of these 5 common diseases that your puppy can face:

1. Heartworms

Mosquitoes can not only afflict the human body with harmful bacteria, they are also responsible for causing Heartworms in a canine's body. Mosquito bites can expose dogs to the larvae, which can travel to their heart and grow into worms, resulting in this terrible disease.

As a result of heartworms, a dog becomes lethargic, depressed, and may even collapse. You have to remember that the treatments for this condition can be invasive and aren't always effective. So, prevention is the best option when it comes to heartworms. You can use this anti-mosquito collar and certain preventive medications to keep your pooch from contracting this deadly disease.

2. Vomiting and Diarrhea

Dog diarrhea and vomiting can have different causes, such as parvovirus, swallowing of items or eating food not meant for them. A single such incident isn't cause for concern, but if the condition persists, then you should take the dog to a vet. 

3. Obesity

Joint pain, diabetes, live issues, muscle atrophy, etc; they all sound like diseases that an obese human would have to deal with, but they are also very common in obese dogs. You should consult your vet about the appropriate weight for your dog and keep an eye on what you are feeding them. Go with organic dog food that has low calories count and will still provide your dog with all the nutrients s/he requires.
 

4. Infectious Diseases

Parvovirus and Distemper are two of the most common contagious diseases that a dog can be exposed to. Both of these diseases can be transferred from the infected dogs to healthy dogs and can have dire consequence if not caught in time.
 

5. Kennel Cough

Kennel cough can affect the dog's voice box and its windpipe. It is an infectious disease that can spread via direct contact to infected dogs. Kennel cough is treated with antibiotics; a humidifier or steam can give the infected dogs some relief.

Keep a watchful eye on your pooches and look for these common health problems. You can utilize various health products and dog accessories available on ePet for this purpose.

About The Company

ePet provides a wide range of pet products online in Hong Kong. The company hosts a wide selection of cat and dog products that are of the highest quality and available at competitive pricing. Customers can also find items on sale with the company offering exciting deals from time to time on their pet products. 


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