If you have dogs, maintaining their good health should be your primary goal. You want to feed them with the best food you can find in pet stores, but sometimes that is not enough.
Fish oil is one of the most commonly used supplements, but what is fish oil for dogs? is it safe for your pet? What benefits does fish oil have for your dog? Are there side effects? These are a few of the questions that will come across your mind as a pet owner and we answer them all here.
What is Fish Oil for Dogs?
Fish oil is an extract from the adipose tissues of the fish. The oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid.
Experts claim that fish oil improves the intelligence of your canine friend. Also, it’s a form of medication as it prevents body inflammation.
Some of the common supplements include sardine oils, salmon oil for dogs, cod liver oil for dogs, anchovies, albacore tuna, herring, and mackerel.
The EPA and DHA compounds in Omega-3 fats are available in a limited amount in dogs. Adding these elements into your dog’s body helps to improve its health, and gives your dog a healthy skin. Note that, you can consider using the supplement as a short term or a long term plan. Talking with a veterinary helps you to make the best choices for your pet’s particular situation.
How does Fish Oil Work
In all animals, human beings included, the EPA and DHA compounds form an integral part of the cell membrane. These fatty acids bring signals to a cell membrane, which stimulates a decrease in inflammation. Decreased inflammation reduces the pain, swelling, and redness of the skin and other body organs.
The DHA component is also essential as it stimulates the growth of the neurons. To do this, DHA affects the permeability of the body cells and thus affects the growth of the cells. Since young puppies are continually and actively growing, feeding them with fish oil will be an ideal idea for quickened growth.
Benefits of Using Fish Oil for Dogs
There are a lot of benefits that come along with the use of fish oil supplements for your dog. Some of them include;
Anti-Inflammatory
As said earlier, omega-3 fatty acids contain the DHA compound that works as an anti-inflammatory agent. DHA helps to deal with any condition that can facilitate to heart, skin, kidney, and joint inflammation. Such conditions include arthritis. It also helps to fight some of the dangerous allergenic conditions. That reduces the chances of your pet developing allergic yellow spots.
Improved Brain and Eyesight
The DHA compound also helps in the growth of the dogs’ brain and improves eyesight. For this reason, experts advise that you consider feeding your pregnant dog with fish oil as it helps to improve brain growth for the unborn puppies.
Dog healthy Skin
The fish oil contains fats that help to keep your dog’s skin healthy, shiny, and keeps it off shedding. It also helps your pet develop a glistering dog coat.
Also, the oil is ideal in promoting the stamina of your dog. Balance is essential, especially when dog training for different activities. Fish oil is one of the supplements that will help you improve your dog’s stability.
Moist skin
A dry skin is irritating and creates an itching condition for your dog. That makes the pet appear uncomfortable and keeps on scrubbing its skin against walls and rough surfaces. That results in the shedding of the skin. You can consider improving on this using the fish oil as it keeps the dog’s skin moist.
Improved Immunity
Keeping your dog healthy prevents the spread of diseases from animals to family members. Using fish oil supplements reduces the risk of your dog suffering from illnesses as it improves its immunity. It also keeps it ready to fight infections.
Improved Appetite
You can also consider using fish oil to enhance the appetite of your dog. That is so as most dog breeds love the attractive aroma of a fish-made meal.
These are among the few certain benefits of feeding your dog with fish oil supplements. Researchers are still seeking evidence of the following possible advantages resulting from the use of fish oil for dogs;
Reduced Cancer growth
Researchers claim that fish oil helps to reduce the rate of cancer growth. As such, veterinaries recommend that if your dog has cancer, you consider using the supplement for its care.
Other researchers claim that the use of fish oil helps to reduce the joints discomfort. As such, it helps to keep your dog from feeling more tired quickly.
There are claims that the supplements do also help to renew the dog’s energy, and
Lastly, it keeps the dog’s blood triglycerides regulated.
These are among the proposed health benefits of using fish oil supplements for nurturing your dog. We, however, note that more research is necessary to ensure that they are facts. The long list is a sign of how great the supplement can be when added yo your pet’s diet.
Possible Side Effects
Some of the reviewers claim that the supplement should not be an option in feeding your dog. Instead, they recommend that you consider throwing it away. On our part, we are not suggesting that, but there are several possible side effects that you should observe. Most of these adverse effects, however, call for more research.
Source of diseases
The omega-3 fatty acids are prone to oxidation once you open the supplement bottle. Scientists claim that the oxidized molecules present a high risk of health problems to your dog. The most suspected health issues include cancer and gene mutation.
Ignites aging
The oxidized molecules forms radicals that damage proteins and DNA cellular structures within the dog’s body. These deformations cause premature aging, which can also result in reduced body immunity.
They can be Toxic
As a result of polluted water bodies, more toxins continue to accumulate in the water animals. Such include heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. These compounds will be present in fish oils, and that puts your dog at risk of contracting diseases. The metals can also result in different types of disabilities. They can also cause liver and kidney failure, and therefore, can be a source of your dog’s death.
Studies do also suggest that feeding your dog with fish oil exposes your pet to radiation. Some of the nuclear power plants make their disposals into the waters, and that exposes the fish to radiations. Your dog consuming fish oil risks the dog to possible death and a variety of several disability conditions.
As said earlier, most of these are not approved disadvantages. As such, they need more research work. They, however, should work as a precaution and a way of creating awareness. After all, everything good has its side effects.
How to feed the Dog with Fish Oil
From the stores, you can buy the supplement in forms of capsules, liquids or chewable treats. For cooperative dogs, you should consider using the pills as the best option. If the dog has a problem with the capsules, open it and squeeze the liquid to the dog’s mouth. You can also consider mixing it with the dog’s food. It’s also advisable that you consider checking on the oil dosage. For proper measurements, always consult with your vet.
Not All Fish Oils Are The Same
Whenever you start researching this supplement, you’ll notice that there are three primary categories of fish oil for dogs. These are:
Synthetic triglyceride oil: This oil type comes in the most purified nature, and is the least easy to extract. It’s expensive and also not available in abundance as compared to other forms.
Ethyl Ester Oil: This extract comes in a more concentrated and distilled form. It has much of the impurities removed. It’s semi-natural but with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA compounds.
Natural Triglyceride Oil: It’s the easiest to absorb, and comes in natural form. It consists of unpurified content, and therefore, contains a lot of contaminants.
Factors to consider when selecting the best fish oil for your dog
Before you buy any brand of fish oil for dogs, it’s always good to check on several factors, including:
Your dog’s breed
On the label, the manufacturer may indicate which dog breed a particular supplement is best for. If there is no mention of any particular breed is probably good for most dogs, just make sure to double-check the appropriate dosage.
Size and Weight
Most vets will give a dosage based on the size and the weight of the dog.
Overall Health
Always consider the overall health of your dog before feeding fish oil supplements. At times, the supplement might trigger or worsen a health condition. It’s, therefore, important if you consider the health of your dog first.
Is it Natural
Always look out for the ingredients used to manufacture the supplement. Ensure that besides the preservatives, everything else consists of natural ingredients.
Customer’s Reviews
If you wish to buy the best fish oil supplement for dogs in the market, check other customer’s reviews. Their reviews are usually reliable and helpful to all potential buyers.
Manufacturer’s Reputation
Also, we advise that you always check on the manufacturer’s reputation. You can check this on the ratings the manufacturer receives from their clients, like those from the bbb.org. Good brands will always display testimonials from past customers. Also, check out to see if the testimonials are computer-generated or from real customers.
Package Size
Always check out to see if you buy something that will not expire before use.
Fish Oil Storage
It’s recommended to store fish oil away from direct sunlight and heat. Also, avoid keeping the bottle open to prevent exposure to air as oxidation may have adverse results in your dog’s health. As such, experts recommend that you buy supplements that are in dark color bottles.
One way you can tell that you exposed the oil to sunlight and oxidation is the bad odor. If you notice this, you should throw it away. For proper storage, veterinaries recommend that you store the fish oil in the refrigerator. Also, it’s better if your dog can take the supplements in capsule form instead of opening it to squeeze the liquid out.
Final Thoughts
Fish oil for dogs is an excellent way to keep your pet healthy, with added benefits to skin and coat, this has become a staple in many dog’s diets.
Don’t forget to consult with your veterinary to identify the proper dose for your dog as the dosage will vary depending on any specific medical history of your pet.