Top 5 Cat & Dog Grooming Tips for Lustrous Coats

Currently, the most common methods for pet owners to enhance their pets' coat health are through dietary supplements, which generally fall into two categories: phospholipids and oilbased supplements. The principles behind these methods are not always well understood, but the bottom line is that a healthier coat often comes down to the right ingredients.

Next, let's delve into the basics of pet coat care and how to ensure both beauty and health through proper nutrition.

Phospholipid Supplements

Phospholipid supplements have gained immense popularity in recent years, sweeping through the pet beauty market. They're often hailed as a wonder supplement, promising not just healthier coats but also benefits like cardiovascular health, antiaging, and immune system support. But are these claims true, or are they just marketing hype?

What is Phospholipid?

Most pet phospholipids on the market are derived from egg yolks, animal livers, sunflower seeds, and various meats. Some are also extracted from soybeans and grains. Soybean phospholipids, in particular, are great at blending water and fats and are often used as additives. They're even found in many foods, helping to blend cream and water in desserts, ice creams, and more, making them seem nutritionally rich.

Phospholipids and Coat Health

"适量补充卵磷脂确实可以促进维生素的吸收，并含有宠物必需的脂肪酸，这也是许多产品标榜卵磷脂具有心血管保健作用的主要依据之一，对老年狗尤为有益，可以促进记忆与学习能力，并对皮肤和毛发有一定的益处。" However, the scientific evidence for these claims is lacking.

It's important to note that the benefits attributed to phospholipids have nothing to do with soybean or grain extracts. Now, let's not delve into the genetically modified issues with soybeans or the pesticides used in their cultivation, which are undoubtedly harmful to your pet. Moreover, the extraction process for soybean phospholipids involves dehydrating soybean oil, extracting it, and chemically processing it, ultimately resulting in a 'miracle' hairenhancing pill. The effectiveness and nutritional value of this product should be a concern for all pet owners.

Currently, the phospholipids that are recognized as beneficial for pets are primarily those extracted from egg yolks and sunflower seeds. The hairenhancing properties of egg yolks are wellknown, and we all have heard of them.

Instead of searching for the perfect phospholipid supplement and getting lost in ingredient comparisons, why not just give your pet an egg? They can eat the yolk, and you can have the white. Considering food safety, it's best to cook the egg.

Complexity and Cost of Sunflower Seed Phospholipids

Phospholipids extracted from sunflower seeds are more complex to process than those from soybeans, avoiding harmful chemical extraction processes like acetone and ethane. This results in higher production costs, and the final product is often more expensive. The process usually involves cold pressing, similar to olive oil, which also means a higher price tag.

Side Effects of Phospholipid Supplements

Overconsumption of phospholipid supplements can lead to adverse reactions such as vomiting, diarrhea, mood swings, rapid weight gain, decreased appetite, and itching. Some pets may also be allergic to phospholipids, which can lead to anaphylactic shock in severe cases.

Pet Fish Oil

Besides phospholipids, fish oil is another supplement that many pet owners swear by for its hairenhancing and health benefits, including immune system support and cardiovascular health. Omega3 fatty acids, which cats and dogs need in certain quantities, can be found in fish oil, along with DHA and EPA.

However, fish oil is also associated with oxidation damage and radiation from deepsea sources, which can somewhat negate its benefits. Fish oil can oxidize when exposed to oxygen, leading to negative effects like exacerbating inflammation in cats and dogs. Some pets may also be allergic to deepsea fish oil.

Drawbacks of Fish Oil

1. Oxidation of fish oil can damage the pet's proteins, DNA, and other important cell tissues, potentially leading to diseases and premature aging. It's crucial to use fish oil within a short period after opening and discard it promptly.

2. Fish oil may contain toxins due to heavy metal pollution from deepsea sources.

3. Some deepsea fish oil sources may have radiation risks.

4. Overproduction of fish oil can be harmful to marine ecosystems.

When considering fish oil for health or beauty purposes, it's mainly for the omega3 fatty acids it contains. However, the actual omega3 content in fish oil often differs significantly from the claimed benefits. With all these drawbacks, there are many other oilbased options to consider.

Coconut Oil and Phytoplankton Supplements

Considering the health concerns of cats and dogs and the drawbacks of many nutritional supplements, there are still many options for obtaining essential fatty acids. These include supplements like phytoplankton and coconut oil.

Phytoplankton (Seaweed Powder, Oils)

Phytoplankton is one of the most valuable sources of nutrition on Earth, essentially a type of ancient and magical seaweed. As singlecelled organisms, they provide pets with various trace minerals and essential amino acids. Studies have shown that extracts from phytoplankton may even have anticancer effects.

Phytoplankton oil contains twice the omega3 fatty acids of fish oil and offers benefits for skin, heart, and joint health, as well as reducing inflammation and the risk of chronic diseases. Since phytoplankton is made up of extremely small tissues, pets can absorb it more effectively.

Here are some of the benefits of phytoplankton oil for pets, according to current research:

1. Improves digestion issues in dogs.

2. Supplies trace minerals, which are crucial for cats and dogs, not just to prevent them from chewing on walls or eating feces. Essential minerals like manganese can lead to joint diseases in dogs lacking manganese.

3. Helps in the fight against cancer and the prevention of related chronic diseases. U.S. cancer research tests and studies have shown that phytoplankton has anticancer potential.

4. Delays aging and supports liver health. Phytoplankton provides substances that are beneficial for the pet's liver health.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is most beneficial for pets due to its high content of saturated fatty acids, with over 90% being mediumchain triglycerides (MCTs). These MCTs are great for the digestive system, immune system, and metabolism, helping pets control weight, improve coat health, and prevent thyroidrelated diseases.

Coconut oil can also be used in "coconut oil therapy," where applying it externally once a week can improve the luster of your pet's coat and nails. The application method involves applying coconut oil to your pet's fur during a bath, waiting for 5 minutes, and then rinsing thoroughly. If you're concerned about residue, you can follow up with a petspecific shampoo.

Overuse of coconut oil can cause diarrhea and greasy stools in pets, so it's important to start with a small amount when introducing coconut oil. Compared to fish oil, coconut oil has fewer pollution and radiation issues.