Acral Lick Dermatitis: Nutrition

Acral lick dermatitis is most common in large-breed dogs: Akita, Dalmatian, Doberman Pincher, English Setter, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Shar Pei, and Weimaraner. It usually develops in mature dogs, but the stage for its development may be set during fetal growth and the first year of life. During this period, the brain and nerves incorporate fats from the diet into their membranes. If the cells incorporate a high concentration of Omega 3 fatty acids, the brain and nervous system will be healthier than if cells incorporate the cheaper, more prevalent Omega 6 fatty acids. It is not that Omega 6 fatty acids are bad for the brain, its that they are so common in the diet that too many of them are incorporated and the cells. Behavior is strongly influenced by the health of brain and nerve cells so that obsessive behaviors like acral lick dermatitis may be more likely to surface if your dog’s nervous system is unhealthy.

Avoid dog foods and supplements use the following fats and oils, which are high in Omega 6 fatty acids:
Canola oil
Corn oil
Peanut oil
Sunflower oil

Use dog foods and supplements with these fats and oils, which are high in Omega 3 fatty acids.
Cod liver
Menhaden fish
Flax seed
Mackerel
Herring
Salmon (wild-caught)
Sardines canned in water
Tuna
Trout
Sturgeon
Anchovy

Between 3-5% of humans have an obsessive or “impulse control” disorder. The number may be even higher for pets. To help avoid having a pet with an obsessive disease such as acral lick dermatitis

1. Choose pets with good genetics and no family history of acral lick dermatitis.
2. Provide healthy exercise.
3. Feed and supplement to increase Omega 3 fatty acids throughout fetal development and adulthood.

Your dog will appreciate everything you do to help develop healthy behavior.

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