Unfortunately, many pet foods aren’t formulated to provide all of the nutrients your beloved pets need to thrive. Cats, dogs, horses, rodents, and even feathered pets can quickly end up with nutritional deficiencies leading to a dull and dry coat, but thankfully there’s a tiny seed that can help. 

Feeding Flaxseed For Coat Condition

Flaxseed is derived from flax plants and has very quickly earned itself a reputation as an extremely healthy and nutritious food for both humans and animals. Packed with the essential fatty acid omega-3, flaxseed not only boosts the immune system but also helps with joint inflammation, digestive health and puts a super shine on your pet’s coat.

The Benefits Of Feeding Your Pet Flaxseed

• Flaxseed supports mobility and is a natural joint supplement helping older pets to keep doing what they love. 
• Flaxseed supports healthy skin by encouraging the production of natural oils and can help to treat skin conditions. 
• Flaxseed can visibly improve the coat or plumage of your pet, making it glossy and shiny. 
• Flaxseed supports the immune system helping to keep your pet well. 
• Flaxseed also helps the digestive system, reducing the frequency of upset tummies. 
• Flaxseed nourishes horses’ hooves helping to keep them in prime condition. 

Which Animals Can Benefit From Eating Flaxseed?

Flaxseed is widely beneficial and is fed to many animals to improve their coat and feather condition. Horses, cats, dogs, hens, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, parrots, rats, and racing pigeons are just a few of the most common pets who can benefit from regularly eating flaxseed, but the list goes on. 

How To Feed Your Pet Flaxseed

One of the most common ways to introduce flaxseed into your pet’s diet is as an oil. Cold-pressed flaxseed oil is widely available as a pet supplement, especially in the equine industry, while whole and ground flaxseed can be found in health food stores. Although convenient, flaxseed oil is also the most expensive way to feed flax to your pets; therefore, some owners choose to feed ground or whole flax seeds instead. While ground or whole flax seeds may be a cheaper alternative to flaxseed oil, they are slightly less digestible, and some seeds may pass through the digestive tract whole. If you’re feeding flaxseed oil or flaxseeds to your pet for the first time, then you may want to speak with a veterinarian first to discuss dosage. 

Other Foods That Will Improve Coat Condition 

Although flaxseed oil is one of the best supplementary foods to improve coat condition, fish and fish oils are also excellent sources of omega-3. Fish oil supplements can often be found online, or if your pet likes the taste of fish, then a meal of sardines or salmon once or twice a week can be a tasty alternative.