Is your dog's coat looking a little dull? Is the shedding getting a little out of control? It might be time to consider adding fish to their dinner. Learn all about the benefits of fish oil for dogs and check out our best fish oil supplements for dogs (and cats).
A soft, lustrous coat is often the first sign of a healthy dog. If your dog’s coat looks dull and brittle or has dry, flaky skin, they might lack essential fatty acids in their diet. That’s where fish oil for pets comes in.
Fish oil is a popular supplement for dogs because it is rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids, which support skin and coat health, immune function, and many more health-impacting systems.
Adding fish oil supplements to dog or cat food is a great way to treat common pet health issues and support better overall health.
Here are a few reasons that fish oil for dogs and cats is such a popular nutritional aid:
Remember that supplements are meant to complement a complete and balanced pet diet—not replace it. There are no benefits to over-supplementation, and in fact, getting too much of a nutrient could harm your pet.
Omega fatty acids are unsaturated fats that play essential roles in cell structure and overall health. They are crucial for immune function, cognitive health, and circulatory health.
The two primary types, Omega-3 and Omega-6, support various systems in your dog’s body and help maintain balance.
Understanding the different types and the role they play in your dog's health can help you when reading pet food labels, managing health issues, and choosing the right supplements to your pet's diet.
There are many different Omega fatty acids supplements for pets, but knowing which ones you may need to add to your pet's diet is important.
Omega fatty acids for dogs can be considered either essential or non-essential.
Though non-essential fatty acids can be made by converting other nutrients into fatty acids, the conversion rate is sometimes not as high as your pet may need to reach optimal health. This means that even some non-essential fatty acids can be supplements with fish or plant oils.
Most dog diets contain moderate levels of essential and non-essential fatty acids, but pets dealing with skin and coat issues, digestion, or allergy issues, can benefit from the addition of one of fish oil supplements for dogs.
Fatty acids, both essential and non-essential, play a significant role in your pet's overall health. From healthy cell structure to immune function and digestion, the right balance of omega fatty acids is an important part of a complete and balanced pet food diet.
Here are some of the top benefits of Omega fatty acids for dogs:
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for dogs can be sourced from a variety of food ingredients, but the most popular, and the most abundant sources are fish. Many pet owners trust fish oil for dogs because it can be an effective tool for managing symptoms of a wide variety of common issues.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for your pet’s health, and fortunately, they can be found abundantly in fish oils and some plant oils.
When choosing an omega 3 supplement for dogs, make sure you know what kinds of Omega 3's are offered. To maximize the benefits of omega 3 for pets, look for options that offer EPA, DHA, and ALA.
EPA is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce inflammation in cells and tissues, supports cardiovascular health, and promotes skin and coat health.
DHA plays a vital role in brain health and cognitive function. It is especially important during puppy development and helps prevent cognitive decline in senior dogs.
Both EPA and DHA are best sourced from fish oil. There are very few viable plant sources of EPA and DHA, which is why fish oils are the most common choice in the pet industry.
ALA supports heart health and is primarily found in plant oils like flaxseed. While dogs can convert ALA into EPA and DHA, the conversion rate is low, so direct dietary sources of EPA and DHA (like fish oil) are often recommended. Unlike APA and DHA, ALA is very easy to source from plant oils such as flaxseed,
Omega 3s play a vital role in your dog’s body. If your dog is not getting enough omega 3’s from their diet, supplementation may be helpful in treating the issues that result from deficiency.
Here are the top 10 benefits of omega 3 fatty acids for dogs.
The other half of the omega fatty acid balance for dogs is Omega 6's. Unlike some of the core omega 3 for dogs, Omega 6 fatty acids are typically easy to source from both fish and plant oil. These are often easier to include in dog food, so additional supplementation isn't always needed.
There are several omega 6 fatty acids that are needed for your dog’s health, but only one is considered essential, meaning they can't make it themselves.
LA is the primary essential Omega-6 for dogs. It plays a role in maintaining healthy skin and coat, supporting immune system health, and promoting proper growth and development.
While most pet diets provide sufficient Omega-6, balancing it with Omega-3 is critical to avoiding excessive inflammation.
Omega 6s are more regularly represented in commercial pet foods because they are abundantly sourced from grains, seeds, and plant oils. Here are the top 5 functions of omega 6’s for dogs.
There is some debate in the pet world about the best sources of omega fatty acids for dogs. Many pet owners prefer fish oil for dogs, but it's important not to discount plant oils for dogs as a potential nutritional benefit.
One of the main arguments for fish oil is that they are higher in Omega 3, particularly helpful ones like EPA and DHA. Plant oils, on the other hand, contain some omega 3 but tend to have more Omega 6s.
Although omega 3s and omega 6s have similar chemical structures and roles in the body, the differences between the compounds matter. It’s not just about having each nutrient in the diet; feeding them in the right quantities and ratios to each other has an impact on overall health.
Here are a few quick tips to consider when choosing an omega supplement for dogs:
Though fish oil is still the preferred omega supplement for many pet owners, many plant oils offer key benefits that may be well suited to whatever health issue you are trying to manage. It's important to choose the option that is best for your pet's specific needs.
Talk to your vet about your pet's health to determine which oils could be the most beneficial in treating common symptoms. It's important to talk about diet and how and if these oils will provide the appropriate buffer of nutrients your pet needs.
While there are many types of fish oil for dogs, some are safer than others. You have to consider not just the types of best omega 3 supplements for dogs provided by fish oil, but the quality of the fish that the oil is sourced from.
Poor-quality fish oil can do more damage than good in the long run so make sure you research the brand and products before you buy.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing fish oil for dogs:
Much like fish oils, quality and proper usage are key to ensuring your pet's supplements are safe and nutritionally beneficial. Beyond being prepared for how to use plant oils safely, using these tips can also help you choose a nutritious and trustworthy plant oil product.
Keep these simple tips in mind when shopping for plant oils:
Stick to high-quality fish oils, preferably wild-caught, to maximize the benefits of fish oil for dogs.
Salmon oil is probably one of the most popular and widely used fish oils by dog food brands and by pet owners who supplement their dog's diet because:
Bear in mind though, that salmon are heavily overfished. This has a detrimental effect on the ecosystem but also diminishes our supply of wild-caught salmon. Many pet food manufacturers are forced to use farmed salmon in the absence of a consistent supply of wild-caught salmon available to the pet food industry.
Not sure which brands to try? Check out a few of our favourite and most trusted options for salmon oil for dogs:
These four little fish are often lumped together not only in terms of quality but also literally. Some omega 3 supplements use a blend of 2 or more of these fish oils to get a broader variety of nutrients. Here's why these small fish oils are a popular option for dogs:
Although this sounds like a slam dunk option, this type of fish oil is not as widely available and as a result can be more expensive. When blended with cheaper fish oils, this can be a great option to add to your fish oil rotation.
Last but not least, is pollock oil. It can't be just any oil pollock though, as Alaskan pollock oil comes from a safer and more sustainable body of water.
You might be wondering why you've never heard of pollock oil for dogs before. Pollock oil is not usually sold on its own, due to its lower EPA content, but can be mixed with another EPA-rich fish oil to produce a healthy and lower-priced option.
Many fish oil supplements for dogs use a variety of fish oils. This can offer a wider range of benefits, and even reduce the cost by mixing more expensive fish oils with some of the more cost-effective ones. Look for products that list multiple types of fish, or those that just use terms like fish oil or ocean fish. This typically indicates a mix of fish oils:
In addition to fish oils, there are other types of animal-based oils that offer essential fats and nutrients. They aren't always the easiest options to find and can be a bit pricier, but each has its own advantage.
Though they share the same environment and a similar diet, krill offer some of the same benefits as fish oils do. But these tiny shrimp-looking creatures have a few perks that fish oils can't compete with:
EPA and DHA levels in krill oil are low compared to other fish oils, which is why krill oil is often not the base fish oil for dogs, rather many pet owners like to rotate in this unique oil to provide a more robust nutritional boost. Additionally, overfishing still has a large-scale environmental impact, as krill are a primary food source for many ocean-dwelling species.
Unlike other fish oils, cod liver oil has higher levels of vitamins A and D, making it a popular fish oil type. It is often blended with other fish oils that are higher in EPA to give a well-balanced nutritional boost.
Since cod liver oil is high in vitamins A and D, you need to be conscious of overfeeding. Keep in mind that both of these vitamins are also represented in your dog’s regular diet. Cod liver oil can be expensive compared to most fish oils.
Though not very common seal oil has slowly been gaining popularity in the pet industry. This unique animal oil might shock you, but it does have some very cool benefits for dogs:
Seal products still carry a bad rap, even though seal hunting is now much more regulated to assure sustainability and humane hunting practices. It's not widely accepted just yet and because of its rarity, it’s expensive compared to traditional fish oils for dogs.
Plant oils can also offer a wide range of benefits for dogs. While they may not be the right option for all pets, they can certainly be used to support overall health when fed in combination with healthy, high-quality dog food.
Here are some of the most common plant oils for dogs:
Flaxseed oil is a well-known source of Omega-3 fatty acids for dogs, particularly Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA). This plant-based oil has long been favoured for its ability to promote heart health, reduce inflammation, and support a shiny, healthy coat.
Benefits: High in Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), an Omega-3 fatty acid. Supports heart health, reduces inflammation, and improves skin and coat condition.
Considerations: Dogs convert ALA to EPA and DHA inefficiently, so supplementation with fish oil may still be necessary for optimal Omega-3 levels.
It's one of the best plant oils for dogs that you've never heard of! It may not be the most well-known, but camelina oil is quickly growing in popularity due its long shelf life and skin-conditioning properties.
It's one of the best plant oils for dogs that you've never heard of! It may not be the most well-known, but camelina oil is quickly growing in popularity due to its long shelf life and skin-conditioning properties.
Benefits: Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) and Vitamin E, camelina oil supports skin and coat health, reduces inflammation, and acts as a natural antioxidant.
Considerations: Highly stable and less prone to oxidation than flaxseed oil, making it a good alternative. However, like flaxseed, ALA conversion in dogs is limited.
Hemp seed oil is a plant-based powerhouse with an ideal balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, this oil is a great choice for dogs with joint issues or skin sensitivities, offering benefits from the inside out.
Hemp has become a very popular option for pet health. Find out more about Hemp Oil for Dogs and how you can use it to support your pet's health.
Benefits: Balanced ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids. Helps reduce inflammation, supports joint health, and maintains skin and coat health.
Considerations: Ensure the product is THC-free and specifically made for pets.
Coconut oil has gained popularity among pet owners for its versatility and numerous health benefits. Packed with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), this tropical oil supports digestion, boosts energy, and keeps your dog\u2019s skin and coat in top shape. To learn more about the benefits and best uses of coconut oil, check out Coconut Oil for Dogs.
Benefits: Contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that can boost energy, support digestion, and promote a healthy coat.
Considerations: High in saturated fats, so it should be fed in moderation to avoid weight gain.
The best part about fish and plant oils is that dogs usually love the taste, so they are easy to just toss in with whatever food you are already feeding. Because of its liquid state it mixes well with soft foods, but is an easy food topper for crunchy kibble diets.
Some dogs consider this healthy meal topper a special treat. They don't know it's good for them, but they do know you added an exciting new smell and taste to their boring old meals.
If you have a picky pooch who hates the taste, you might want to try mixing the omega oil with another strong-tasting food so that your dog can't pick it out.
Here are some simple and effective tips for sneaking plant or fish oil into your dog’s diet:
Wanna try making your own? Check out Bone Broth for Dogs for an easy homemade bone broth recipe. Just remember to add the oil after the broth is cooked and cooled to ensure maximum nutritional benefit.
Yes, fish oil is generally safe for dogs and is often recommended by veterinarians for its potential health benefits. Use only high-quality fish oil supplements specifically designed for dogs.
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can provide various health benefits for dogs. These benefits include promoting healthy skin and coat, reducing inflammation, supporting joint health, and potentially improving cognitive function.
You can give fish oil to your dog in the form of liquid supplements, capsules, or added to their food.
While fish oil is beneficial, excessive intake can lead to potential health issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, and interference with blood clotting.
Some dogs may experience mild gastrointestinal upset when starting fish oil supplementation.
Most dogs can benefit from fish oil supplements, especially those with skin issues, joint problems, or certain health conditions.