Fish Oil for Dogs: How It Benefits Your Pet
The health advantages of fish oil for dogs have been known for decades, which helps explain why it is the most popular supplement to a pet’s diet.
A number of recent studies have looked deeper into the anti-inflammatory impact of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil and their use in the treatment of various disorders in dogs. There are even more studies in the human literature, which have also demonstrated these effects.
With its abundant DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is often used to treat cancer, joint, heart, kidney, skin, intestinal issues, and senior dementia. Because of the favorable effect on skin and coat quality, many pet owners are adding fish oil to the meals of their young and adult dogs.
The overall trend toward fish oil supplementation is beneficial to pet health, but, as is often the case, there is a flip side to that coin. Too much of a good thing can be harmful to your pet’s health.
Let’s take a look at how fish oil can help your pet and why it’s vital to include supplements like this in his diet.
Table of Contents
- What Is Fish Oil?
- Why Should I Give My Dog Fish Oil?
- What to Avoid When You Give Your Dog Fish Oil Supplements?
- Side Effects of Fish Oil for Dogs
- The Takeaway
- Nutrition Strength Omega 3 Wild Fish Oil for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Omega 3 Wild Fish Oil for Dogs here.
What Is Fish Oil?
As the name says, fish oil is sourced from marine creatures and is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Animals cannot produce these fatty acids on their own; they must be obtained through food. As a result, they are frequently referred to as “essential fatty acids for dogs.”
Mackerel, tuna, salmon, sturgeon, mullet, bluefish, anchovies, sardines, herring, trout, and menhaden are all high in omega 3 fatty acids for dogs and are popular sources of fish oil supplements.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are the fatty acids with the most health advantages (EPA). Both are listed on the labels of fish oil pills for dogs.
Why Should I Give My Dog Fish Oil?
While many pet remedies, such as ear and eye cleaners, calming aids, and joint supplements, address particular ailments your dog may currently have, the advantages of fish oil for dogs are far broader and preventive. Here are a few of the main benefits of fish oil for dogs:
- Arthritis treatment: Omega-3 fatty acids’ anti-inflammatory qualities are responsible for their therapeutic efficacy in dogs with arthritis. In a study of 127 dogs with arthritis, those provided an omega-3 fatty acid-enriched diet showed considerable improvement in their ability to rise from a resting posture, play, and walk. Fish oil is regularly added in prescription meals designed particularly for dogs with arthritis.
- Treatment of inflammatory skin disease: Allergic skin disease and other inflammatory skin disorders may benefit from fish oil’s anti-inflammatory properties. A study was conducted on 16 dogs that had itchy skin. Compared to the placebo group, individuals who received fish oil showed considerable improvement (more minor itching, less self-trauma, and improved hair coat). Another study on dogs with various levels of skin allergies found that fish oil was more beneficial for dogs in the early stages of their skin issues than for those with more advanced conditions.
- Canine cognitive dysfunction treatment: A well-known disorder of elderly canines that resembles many aspects of human dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, has been demonstrated to lessen cognitive impairment in dogs. DHA also appears to delay the course of human dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. A study was conducted on 142 senior canines with a range of behavioral problems (disorientation, disrupted sleep patterns, altered interactions with family members, altered activity levels, and loss of house training). Dogs fed a DHA-supplemented meal improved significantly in all of these behavior areas during 60 days.
- Treatment of heart illnesses: Weight loss is a significant issue in dogs with chronic heart failure. This drastic effect has been demonstrated to be reduced by fish oil. A study was performed on dogs suffering from heart failure, some fed fish oil. Compared to dogs on a fish oil-free diet, those getting fish oil supplements lived longer and lost less weight.
- Treatment of renal disease: Fish oil supplementation is beneficial in dogs suffering from kidney disease. It is widely used to treat glomerular disease, a kidney ailment characterized by high protein loss in the urine, aggravating the chronic renal disease. Dietary treatment with fish oil was demonstrated to considerably decrease kidney damage in a study of canine renal disease with secondary glomerular injury. Furthermore, fish oil has been found to have a protective effect against acute renal injury. As a result, a fish oil supplementation is a viable option for any dog with impaired renal function.
While fish oil supplements for dogs can assist with various health conditions, it’s always a good idea to check your veterinarian before starting a fish oil regimen, especially if your dog is on prescription medication.
If your dog is currently on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) for inflammation, your veterinarian may suggest that fish oil is not appropriate to his diet.
What to Avoid When You Give Your Dog Fish Oil Supplements?
Scientifically approved, not all fish oils are the same. When searching for fish oil for your pet, keep the following red signs in mind:
Farmed Fish
If you’ve ever gone shopping for fresh salmon for your own dinner table, you’ve probably observed that farm-raised salmon is considerably duller in color than bright-pink wild salmon. This is because wild salmon consume smaller fish species and krill, high in astaxanthin, a helpful immune-boosting antioxidant that gives salmon its excellent pink color.
What do cultivated fish get for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Typically, dried food pellets. They are completed with fish trimmings, corn gluten, chicken fat, soybeans, and other byproducts of the animal feed industry. They’re also pumped with hormones and antibiotics to keep them healthy and promote rapid development.
Look for oil prepared from the best fish, wild-caught salmon, to get the most beneficial fatty acids.
Unsustainable Fishing Practice
With our oceans in decline worldwide, it’s more vital than ever to ensure that any fish products you buy are obtained responsibly.
In addition to overfishing, some fish oil producers obtain their raw materials from contaminated and heavily trafficked waters off Africa’s coast. These fish may be contaminated with heavy metals and other pollutants, which must be removed using intensive purification and chemical filtration processes before they can be consumed by pets.
Mixed Fish Species
Many goods branded as “fish oil” are made from a mishmash of fish species rather than a single high-quality species such as salmon. These oils are healthier than pure salmon oil because they have lower quantities of EPA and DHA and higher saturated fats. These cheaper “filler” fish are often little filter feeders rather than predatory fish, which means they contain lower levels of astaxanthin as well.
Extensive Purification Processes
Pet fish oils made from mixed fish species and fishmeal waste acquired from commercial processing companies require extra purification before consuming them. Toxins are filtered out using ethanol in one of the most frequent purification techniques. However, this breaks down the oil on a molecular level to the point that it must be synthetically reassembled.
Fish oils treated in this manner are known as ethyl esters (EE), and they are not as well absorbed by the body as less-processed triglyceride oils. EE fish oils also degrade faster, increasing the risk of rancid oil in your pet’s food.
Side Effects of Fish Oil for Dogs
While fish oil is typically safe for dogs, there have been reports of adverse effects and precautions to take before putting these essential omegas in a dog’s diet. Fish oil should not be given to dogs that are allergic to fish or shellfish unless prescribed by a veterinarian as part of a treatment plan.
Because your puppy’s food should already include high-quality omega 3 for dogs, most pet parents add fish oil to their dog’s regular diet when a physician recommends it for specific health conditions. Here are some of the most critical issues to be aware of.
- The anti-inflammatory impact of EPA and DHA causes an increase in the synthesis of specific molecules that change platelet function. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are bone marrow partitions that help develop blood clots. This is a critical initial line of defense against blood loss caused by trauma or other events or situations that cause bleeding. Platelet activity and aggregation to form clots are reduced by the molecules generated by EPA and DHA. Animals fed excessive fish oil are more likely to suffer from blood loss when harmed or suffer from disorders that induce bleeding. This is also a significant issue for pets requiring surgery, particularly treatments involving bodily organs or regions of the body with high blood flow.
- EPA and DHA’s anti-inflammatory effects also impede wound healing. Inflammation at the wound site encourages white blood cells, resulting in early wound healing. This crucial wound healing stage is slowed by EPA and DHA, which reduces the body’s capacity to repair the skin and encourage new skin development. This is most noticeable during the first five days of wound healing. Such an impact might be severe in an animal having significant surgery while being fed large quantities of dietary fish oil.
- The immune system and white blood cells must produce an inflammatory response to control dangers like infection, cancer, and other disorders. As a result, a slew of molecules that enhance the inflammatory response is produced. This critical function is hampered by the anti-inflammatory actions of EPA and DHA. That is why fish oil is so effective in treating illnesses characterized by an excessive inflammatory response, such as allergies and the skin disorders that accompany them. However, to protect the body, a necessary degree of inflammatory response must be maintained, and excessive levels of EPA and DHA can interfere with that process.
The Takeaway
Fish oil is a contentious and frequently misunderstood topic. It is recommended by veterinarians, and many dog owners swear by it. Then you see headlines like, “I nearly killed my dog with fish oil.” So you’re not sure what to trust. That is why you have to be familiar with all the effects of fish oil and especially omega fatty acids for dogs.
For example, if your dog consumes a diet high in Omega-6 fats, such as grains and plant-based oils, he or she may require fish oil to help balance out their diet. Supplementation is unlikely to be essential if your dog consumes a grain-free diet consisting of raw, grass-fed meats.
If you’re looking for methods to keep your dog happy and healthy, you’ve definitely come across the idea of supplementing their food with fish oil. Fish oil may benefit your dog’s health, but you must be fully informed before adding it to your dog’s diet. Before introducing anything new to your dog’s diet, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian.
Nutrition Strength Omega 3 Wild Fish Oil for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Omega 3 Wild Fish Oil for Dogs here.
Nutrition Strength Omega 3 Wild Fish Oil for Dogs, EPA and DHA Fatty Acids, Skin, Coat and Allergy Support, Hip & Joint and Arthritis Dog Supplement, 180 Soft Gels are tasty chewable tablets, specifically formulated to provide the optimal fish oil for dogs dosage.
Our nutritional and delicious fish oil pills for dogs are made with the highest quality ingredients available, which can help confer:
- Joint benefits. Omega 3 fatty acids derived from fish oil may lead to big increases in dogs’ activity scores. Improved joint function helps dogs fight the natural arthritis issues that come with aging.
- Skin health, itchy skin defense and coat’s overall health. Studies of Omega-3 fatty acids in dogs have persistently linked them to substantial improvements in coat health, pruritus and alopecia. Omega-3 fish oil for dogs has also proved much more effective than flax oil in cases of inflammatory skin disorders.
- Heart and cardiovascular benefits. Researchers have also found that Omega-3 fatty acids may help dogs improve cardiac remodeling, regulate blood pressure and maintain a healthy heart rate.
- Cognitive function neurological health. Results show that DHA can lead to improvements in dogs’ memory, agility and learning ability. Many of the studied dogs have also shown improvements in pacing issues and excessive licking.
- Vitamin E included. Vitamin E helps to balance your dog’s internal chemistry, with Omega-3 for dogs being introduced into their diet. Vitamin E helps prevent lipid peroxidation of body fat to limit adverse side effects. Please note that some Omega-3 products may not have Vitamin E included.
In order to get the most out of our Omega fish oil, please use the recommended dosage of our omega 3 for dogs, but feel free to adjust the dosage as needed. Don’t worry, our fish oil is perfectly safe for dogs and has been specifically formulated to be safe for long-term use, even at a higher dosage.
Image source: Wikimedia / photos8.com.
