Question:
I have a question about fish oil supplements. I believe you have never mentioned krill oil as a source of beneficial omega fatty acids for cats. I see it advertised on TV (for humans) and wonder if it would be good for my dog and two cats.
M.F., Fort Myers, FL Oct 04, 2011
Answer:
I abhor the "harvesting" of krill primarily for farmed animal food protein and for the oil byproduct that is marketed as a nutritional supplement. Krill oil may be a good source of omega fatty acids, but harvesting it is not ethical.
Krill is a staple food for whales and other sea life, and the vast tonnage being netted is one added starvation-stress factor for these creatures in an already overfished marine environment. Pollution and acidification of the oceans are wreaking havoc on a once sustainable natural resource.
Some fish oil providers, such as Nordic Naturals
and New Chapter, are aware of these issues and select plentiful fish species and fishing-industry byproducts taken from managed and less polluted marine sources. Oils from farmed, rather than wild, salmon should also be avoided because of reported high levels of toxic contaminants such as dioxins and PCBs.
DOGS HELPING AUTISTIC CHILDREN:
The incidence of autism spectrum disorders now reaches about one in 100 children. Drugs and other therapies have mixed and inconsistent results, but according to Professor Daniel Mills of the UK's University of Lincoln, trained assistance dogs have proved to be highly beneficial. They help affected children control problem behaviors, communicate better and ease family stress.
Parents reported that dogs helped their autistic children develop a wide variety of skills, such as language, feeding behavior, social attention, interaction and reduction or elimination of tantrums. From my own earlier research in this field of animal assisted therapy, I would insist on very close supervision and concern for dogs being around severely autistic children who may initially react to the dogs as though they are inanimate objects and mistreat them accordingly.
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