From:
George Gebara
Date: 2002-01-23 10:23:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] more on omega fatty acids, some
web references
At 22:12 22/01/2002, AFERRETVET@cs.com wrote:
Hi Linda and George,
You are right both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty oils are needed
in the diet, but it is the ratio of the 2 that is important.
In dogs and cats, the ratio of O-6 to O-3 should be 5 to 1
to 10 to 1.
It is likely the ferrets ratio would be similar to the cats.
WRT ferrets, unless actual analysis has been done on the complete
carcasses of their wild prey, ie mice, rats, rabbit, small
amphibians etc, we don't really know if these ratios are valid for
them as obligate carnivores. Based on what their common prey eat
(leafy greens , seeds, berries, roots, nuts, insects) it is
difficult so see a ratio much off from 1:1.
Flax seed oil contains the O-3 alpha linolenic acid (ALA). ALA
is roughly 53% of the flax seed oil. Thus it is a good source of
an O-3.
However fish oil contains 2 different O-3 oils. Fish oil contains
Eicosaletraenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Given the obligate carnivore nature of the ferret they would see
more DHA and EPA (correctly *eicosapentaenoic* acid) than LNA in
their prey. One must consider that they may not have the enzymatic
ability, especially with age, to convert sufficient amounts from LNA
(in flax). However, there appears to be some success in feeding
ground flax to mink, though these would be much younger and
healthier animals.
Beef fat contains mostly O-6 oils and Arachidonic acid (AA)
AA is considered an essential fatty acid for cats and likely
needed by ferrets also.
AA is reportedly a requirement for mink. The high level of w6 in
beef fat is directly related to the feeding of grains. Free-range
beef and especially buffalo have much lower w6 levels. Although
ferrets have been accused of attacking cattle and tipping them, beef
normally would not be part of their diet. :)
The big picture is flax seed oil is good but fish oil is probably
better.
Yes, I agree.
That is why Iams kitten, Eukanuba kitten, Totally Ferret,
and Marshall's ferret food all have fish oil in them. (Marshall's
also uses fish as protein source.)
The less saturated the fat, the more rapidly it degrades under the
influence of light, oxygen, and heat. Superunsaturates such as
EPA/DHA are at one end, saturates such as Palmitic Acid (palm kernel
oil) at the other. Fish oil must be kept refrigerated, in an
well-sealed opaque container. Good flax seed oil is sold this way.
The products formed in their breakdown (rancidity) are not benign.
Adding an oil this sensitive to a baked and extruded product such as
kibble is likely not the best thing.
This is most definitely a case of "You are what you Eat".
George.