Rich in omega-3s and heart-healthy benefits, a daily fish oil supplement seems like a no-brainer, especially for those who aren’t fans of seafood. But while your pup is chowing down on that leftover salmon you didn’t enjoy, have you ever considered that they might benefit from those omega-3s as well?
Fish oil is one of the most multi-talented supplements when it comes to a dog’s overall wellness. Not only does it encourage heart and blood health, but it’s also beneficial to your pup’s skin, fur, and joints. It even supports mental health.
Below is everything you need to know about supplementing with fish oil for dogs, and why it just might make you their hero.
What is Fish Oil?
Fish oil is the purified oil and water that’s pressed from cooked fish.1 You may have heard of its health-boosting effects when taken as a supplement for humans, and the same goes for dogs.
Fish oil’s superpowers lie in the long-chain omega-3s it contains.2 These fatty acids, called EPA and DHA, offer an impressive array of benefits. Primarily, omega-3s partner with the heart and blood to organically promote cardiovascular and eye health while also nurturing your pup’s coat and immune system.3
That said, there’s even more to omega-3s than meets the eye—some research shows they may also offer neuroprotective advantages and curb a blue mood (which, yes, your dog is susceptible to).
How Does Fish Oil Work?
Omega-3s work by enhancing cell function, particularly cells’ communication with each other.4 By helping your dog consume an adequate amount of omega-3s, you’re letting these important fatty acid molecules build a reservoir of themselves in each cell membrane.
The omega-3s in fish oil may also prompt healthy immune responses in your pup. While inflammation, which is generated by the immune system, is a natural and even welcome defense against injury and infection, an uncontrolled inflammatory reaction may become unhealthy and damage tissues over time. Wild Alaskan salmon oil and other oil supplements can reduce your dog’s dry skin, reduce their risk for heart disease, and make your lives less stressful as pet parents. Fortunately, omega-3s have the potential to balance out this organic response.
Fish Oil’s Fatty Acids
The two fatty acids found in fish oil are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
- EPA can be a boon when it comes to heart health in that it may moderate triglycerides and support appropriate blood pressure levels.
- DHA provides the remaining advantages of fish oil, like shoring up mental health and supporting cognitive function in young and elderly pups alike.5
How Can You Increase Your Dog’s Fish Oil Intake?
So, omega-3s can help support your dog’s overall health, but is it possible to include more omega-3s in your pup’s diet?
The answer is yes—as long as you’re okay with treating them to a little human food. This is because both EPA and DHA are found in cold water fish like salmon, as well as tuna, seaweed, and algae.
A third fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is found in plant-based sources like leafy greens and flaxseeds. However, EPA and DHA are by far the most abundant in seafood.
In order to ensure your pet gets an ample supply of omega-3s, it’s also a good idea to include a regular supplement in their diet, such as a dynamite multivitamin that also offers additional perks.
Do Dogs Need Fish Oil Supplements?
The short answer is yes—the American Kennel Club confirms that fish oil is one of the best supplements you can add to your furry friend’s diet. However, it’s important to consult your vet for an evaluation of your pup’s current eating habits, as fish oil may be recommended as either a long-term addition or a temporary boost.
To recap: Fish oil provides many of the same benefits for a dog’s diet as it does for humans. It’s heart-friendly, it encourages immune health and it promotes healthy skin and fur.
Omega-3s are particularly important for dogs as they are needed to balance out omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6s are found in a variety of ingredients typically featured in traditional dog food, such as:
- Most grains
- Processed foods
- Refined oils
- Corn-fed meat
While both humans and dogs need omega-6s as well as omega-3s, our modern diets often contain omega-6s in excess, and these need to be balanced out with an omega-3 supplement. Fish oil, flaxseed oil, and krill oil counteract the harmful omega fatty acids by providing more essential fatty acids.
So, if you’re looking to boost your dog’s health an omega-3 supplement is certainly worth a shot. It’s also worth noting that supplementing your pup’s omega-3s may also mean you need to supplement vitamin E, as an abundance of omega-3s may deplete vitamin E levels. Be careful to ensure your dog’s supplements are being absorbed to prevent unwanted omega-3 depletion.
This is why the right supplements will come with vitamin E alongside omega-3 fatty acids.
Types of Fish Oil for Dogs
When choosing a supplement for your pet, you may come across a few different types of fish oil. Below is the breakdown on each and which we recommend.
Natural Triglyceride Oil
Natural triglyceride oil is the most natural form of fish oil and is the easiest for dogs’ bodies to absorb. However, be wary of contaminants your pup may be allergic to, as this form of fish oil is straight from the source and may not be purified.
Ethyl Ester Oil
Ethyl ester oil is fish oil that has been concentrated and distilled, meaning it’s less likely to have the impurities that natural triglyceride oil might. It’s considered “semi-natural,” and offers the highest concentration of both EPA and DHA fatty acids.
Synthetic Triglyceride Oil
While still safe and healthy for your pet, synthetic triglyceride oil is the least natural and most difficult to absorb of the three types.
A Note on Dosage
It’s important to monitor your dog’s dosage of fish oil closely, as some animals are unable to tolerate the maximum dosage. Start small, and notify your vet if you notice side effects like vomiting or loose stools.6
On this note, you may also want to ask your vet what dosage to start with, as the minimum and maximum may vary depending on:
- Your dog’s weight
- The type of fish oil you choose
- Whether you’re attempting to support a specific area of health
Health Benefit of Fish Oil for Dogs
Fish oil is quite the multi-hyphenate talent when it comes to the benefits it can offer your pet:
Keeps Coats Silky
Fish oil keeps dogs’ fur silky and shiny, while also preventing itchy, flaky skin. Omega-3s even promote hair growth, meaning your pup’s coat may become thicker and fuller.
Supports Joint Health
Fish oil may naturally facilitate joint health. This can be a godsend for dogs, who are prone to developing tenderness (and general wear and tear) in their joints as they age. Giving your dog collagen or glucosamine supplements may further support their joint health.
Encourages Wound Healing
As mentioned, omega-3s build up in the cells to smooth communication throughout the body. This means that they’re on the scene early when your pet is injured—and may accelerate the healing process.
These magical fatty acids may even prevent wounds from becoming infected (so you don’t have to worry when your pet’s social roughhousing goes a little too far).7
Strengthens the Immune System
Both EPA and DHA have been found to naturally strengthen the immune system. This means your pup can have the proper defense he needs when it comes to fighting off germs.
How to Store Fish Oil
It’s important to store fish oil in the refrigerator (away from heat, light, and air) and to throw it away if it becomes oxidized, as it can become rancid and unsafe to consume (your first clue will be an “off” smell).
If you choose to buy a bottle of fish oil, choose a dark one that won’t let much light in.
Choose ALL-IN With Fish Oil
Feeding your pet a 100% natural, whole-foods diet that promotes gut health is nearly impossible. After all, human food is often the same (or worse) as kibble on the “healthy” scale for your pet (and far more difficult to research and prepare).8
Fortunately, an all-natural supplement is a proven way to balance out your pup’s nutritional profile—and Vetericyn’s ALL-IN dog supplement is an excellent choice. This supplement contains fish oil, as well as several other crucial vitamins and nutrients, including a replacement for the vitamin E that fish oil might deplete.
Available for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors, ALL-IN is the perfect way to keep your pup healthy in their days of youthful frolicking outside and cognitively sharp as they age.
Next time you take your daily multivitamin, consider investing in Vetericyn for your best friend as well. Because despite the occasional odor, fish oil is far from fishy.
Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- Britannica. Fish oil. https://www.britannica.com/science/fish-oil
- NIH. Omega-3 supplements: in-depth. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/omega3-supplements-in-depth
- American Kennel Club. Fish oil for dogs. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fish-oil-for-dogs/
- National Library of Medicine. The science behind dietary omega-3 fatty acids. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2174995/
- Mount Sinai. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/docosahexaenoic-acid-dha
- Colorado State University. Canine fish oil dosing chart. https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vth/services/orthopedic-medicine/fish-oil-dosing/
- National Library of Medicine. Role of arginine and omega-3 fatty acids in wound healing and infection. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4217020/
- Tufts University. Human grade: should pets eat the same food that we do? https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2019/02/human-grade/
- Cornell University. How joint supplements can help with orthopedic conditions. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/how-joint-supplements-can-help-orthopedic-conditions
- Mount Sinai. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/eicosapentaenoic-acid-epa
