Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 isn't just great for keeping our pup’s heart healthy, brains functioning, coats shining, and immune systems firing. Omega-3 also reduces itchy and flaky skin and can help relieve allergies and joint pain.
Like us, dog's don't produce Omega-3, which is an essential fat. Because their body can't make it from scratch, pups rely on getting it from alternative sources (via food and supplements).
This study showed that after six weeks, dogs supplemented with fish oil omega 3s showed significant improvements in itching, self-trauma and coat quality*.
*Logas, D. and Kunkle, G. (1994). Double-blinded Crossover Study with Marine Oil Supplementation Containing High-dose eicosapentaenoic Acid for the Treatment of Canine Pruritic Skin Disease. Veterinary Dermatology, 5(3), pp.99-104.
Zinc
Zinc helps upgrade your dog's immune system, soothe their skin, add shine to their fur and support good thyroid function.
This study showed that after 8 weeks, dogs showed significant improvements in itching and the severity of skin damage when given supplements containing zinc alongside glucocorticoid treatments (compared to just glucocorticoid alone)*.
*McFadden, R. A., Heinrich, N. A., Haarstad, A. C., & Tomlinson, D. J. (2017). A double-blinded, randomized, controlled, crossover evaluation of a zinc methionine supplement as an adjunctive treatment for canine atopic dermatitis. Veterinary dermatology, 28(6), pp. 569–e138.
Glucosamine HCl
Glucosamine is a natural component that gives strength to joint cartilage - helping to defend against damage and keep the protective cartilage intact. As your dog ages, their bodies produce less glucosamine. So their joint cartilage (which acts as a protective shock-absorber) can become thinned, leading to joint pain.
This study shows that dogs benefitted from statistically significant improvements in joint pain and weight-bearing by day 70 when treated with both Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate*.
*McCarthy, G., O'Donovan, J., Jones, B., McAllister, H., Seed, M., & Mooney, C. (2007). Randomised double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis. Veterinary journal, 174(1), pp. 54–61.