Cross Breeds

Are Boxer dogs allergic to Flaxseed?

I want to add flaxseed to my boxer dogs diet... but am unsure if boxers are allergic to it.

Public Comments

1. As a breed, they are not. Do you have any reason to suspect your dog will be allergic? I haven't known of a dog to be allergic to flaxseed oil, it's an excellent supplement.
2. Boxers have a lot of allergies (or hypersensitivities) in general but I wouldn't actually add flaxseed or flaxseed oil to any dog's food. It's just not appropriate for dogs. Flaxseed in itself is not digested by dogs - they poop it out so it's a complete waste. Flaxseed oil is a very nice supplement for humans, but there is too much omega 6 relative to omega 3 fatty acids in the supplement and moreover, the omega 3 in flaxseed oil made up of ALA. Dogs cannot break down ALA (a form of omega 3 fatty acids). Dogs need EPA and DHA (other types of omega 3's) which is found in fish body oils. And this makes sense if you think about it: dogs are carnivores and have evolved to process animal based proteins and their derivatives. Flaxseed is a plant and so it makes sense that dogs do not have the enzyme necessary to break down the ALA in flaxseed oil. Kronch and Bravo both make really nice omega 3 fish oils. Good luck!