Essential Fatty Acids for Skin and Coat

Primrose Oil and Borage Oil Can Help Your Dog’s Skin and Coat

Both scientific studies and observation show that these oils can help dogs with many skin problems. The beauty of these supplements is that although most sources of omega 6 essential fatty acids are pro-inflammatory, these two are not! So, even the allergic dog may benefit. The dog that can’t tolerate much fat in the diet can as well. In the case of dietary fat intolerance, both of these oils may be better tolerated because they happen to provide a lot of GLA within a small amount of oil. Therefore, it doesn’t take much to see positive results.

In my experience with a multitude of dogs over the years, I’ve used these oils to help address dry skin, dry nose, cracked skin on paws and/or dry coat - almost always with success. I say “almost always” because the diet itself plays a role as does any underlying health problem that needs to be addressed. Overall though, the additions have been very beneficial. In fact, you will find that most dermatologists suggest the addition of essential fatty acids to the diets of dogs with a primary problem of dry skin.

We can pay more for these benefits when we use fatty acid supplements that are a combination of oils, or we can simply add wild salmon oil and primrose or borage oil. In most cases, it’s as easy as that.

The evidence for essential fatty acid supplementation ranges from impressive to questionable. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled multicentre clinical trial of 12 weeks, duration was undertaken in 60 dogs with atopic dermatitis to evaluate the steroid sparing effect of essential fatty acid supplementation. Findings indicate a steroid sparing effect of essential fatty acid supplementation in canine atopic dermatitis. In a world where double blind placebo controlled studies in dogs are hard to come by (for natural supplements), this particular study is unique.

On the other hand, clinical studies on canine skin and coat conditions have been inconsistent. Results may be based on 1) low oil dose, 2) short duration of the study, and 3) unaccounted PUFA in the diet.

I’ve worked with dogs that didn’t tolerate borage oil yet tolerated primrose oil, and others that had the exact opposite reaction. One of my own dogs had colitis and although she didn’t tolerate any one kind of oil for more than a day, rotating oils worked a small miracle for her skin. So, don’t give up! If your dog has a skin problem (this includes flakey ear flaps, cracked skin on toes, dry nose) and the vet has ruled out a primary health problem, trying primrose and/or borage oil may lead to a nice surprise. A word of caution: oils that are high in GLA can be seizure triggers for epileptic dogs. These same oils are safe and beneficial for other dogs, so it’s not a concern unless your dog has epilepsy.