Recently, my dad mentioned a conversation with his doc about vitamins. The only one, according to his doctor, that really mattered? Fish oil.
I’m not convinced of that because I’m not convinced we all eat a well-rounded enough diet, especially with how depleted our soil is. I give everyone in my family–human and animal members–vitamins each morning, including a multi and a probiotic. Recently, though, after that conversation and another with our vet, I’ve added in fish oil.
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A quick disclaimer: I’m not a vet. I’m not a vet tech or a nutritionist or a dietitian or anything useful. I’m a writer. A researcher. A dog mom. Everything you read here is for information purposes only and is simply me sharing what I’ve found and our experiences, mk?
First, what is fish oil, really?
While researching this post, I realized most people conflate fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids. Yes, fish oil is a solid source of omega-3s, but it’s not the only source (flaxseeds and chia seeds are awesome veg-friendly options). AND there’s some question as to whether the heart-healthy benefits of fish oil come from the oil itself or from all the various components of a fish working in concert.
OK, so back to the question: What is fish oil? Well, it’s the oil from the tissue of oily fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and so on. If you eat those fish (the American Heart Association recommends fatty, cold water fish twice a week), you’re nailing it. If not, you can purchase fish oil supplements, though there’s no research that shows supplements are as effective as eating whole fish. That being said… since most of us don’t eat the recommended two servings of fatty, cold water fish twice a week, circling back around to my opening, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to make up that gap with a supplement.
There are a bunch of kinds of fish oil supplements on the market. Natural, which is basically just straight-up fish oil, and several processed varieties.
What are the benefits of omega-3s?
Here’s where the fish oil vs. omega-3 confusion becomes relevant. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that our bodies can’t produce. Therefore, we need to get them from food. Why do we need omega-3?
For one thing, it has heart-health superpowers, lowering blood pressure and reducing triglycerides, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke, and more.
Fish oil, then, should deliver on all that. There’s also evidence that fish oil reduces pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. It’s good stuff.
So, can dogs have fish oil?
OK, OK, at this point you’re probably thinking… this is a dog blog so who cares if fish oil is good for me! Can my dog have fish oil?!
Heck yes!
It’s interesting to me because the veterinary community seems way more on board with fish oil supplements than the medical community. Our new vet recommended fish oil for Coop right out of the gate, and there’s a ton of info out there about fish oil for pets.
Here are some things fish oil might help in your dog:
- Joint disease
- Skin and coat health
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Immune support
Plus, according to the AKC: “Omega-3 also helps balance out omega-6 fatty acids, commonly found in processed foods and most grains. Since many dog food manufacturers use meat from corn-fed animals or refined oil (which are high in omega-6), dogs often have an overabundance of omega-6 fatty acids in their diet. Your dog ends up with too much omega-6 and not nearly enough omega-3 fatty acids. And although we need omega-6 fatty acids, our modern diet often has too many. The body needs both in balance, and the same is true for dogs.”
As long as you stick to dosing requirements specific to your dog’s size, there’s really no harm in adding a fish oil supplement to your dog’s diet and there might be gobs and gobs of benefits!
How to choose a fish oil for your dog
There are so many available. It can feel overwhelming.
We received two strong recommendations for this one from Nordic Naturals. I believe that’s a great product. However. Cooper will not eat a fish oil pill. Absolutely refuses. So, what ends up happening is that we have to cut the pill open to squirt it out, which is messy and then my fingers smell fishy all morning.
I’m switching to a pump, and I’m switching to a pump that has dosing for dogs AND cats because I believe it’s equally important for the cats to have fish oil, too! I have it down to two possibilities: this one and this one. I haven’t placed an order yet because I’m still researching. (Incidentally, if you love a great pump-bottle fish oil that provides dosing for dogs and cats–a tall order, I know–please, please let it in the comments!!)
Ultimately, when you choose the product, talk to your vet first, then pick the best one that’s in your budget.
Have I convinced you? 🙂
As I said, I believe in supplements. I just don’t think many of us eat a whole, perfectly-balanced diet. That’s OK. That’s just modern life. But I do believe that supplementing where possible makes a lot of sense. We’re extremely lucky and privileged to be able to close any nutrient gaps in our diets!
I’d love to hear your experience: Do you supplement your dog’s diet with fish oil? Have you noticed a difference? Or, if you don’t, have you considered it or started researching it? Let me know how I can help you and your efforts in the comments below!
Thanks for this information – such perfect timing. My vet had recommended fish oil for my arthritic cat who passed away a few months ago and I was cleaning out and came across it and wondered whether my older dog might also benefit from it – you cleared that right up. I don’t comment enough but I do so enjoy your writing voice and your encouraging posts- thanks!
I’m so sorry for the loss of your sweet cat, Cara. I’m glad to hear this post helped you in some small way, and I hope your pup benefits from starting up fish oil!
I’m on my second bottle of the Zesty Paw Wild Alaskan Salmon oil in a pump bottle for the boys and I must say, I really do notice a difference in their skin, coat and (for Ray, demeanor.) They shed So. Much. Less. and Ray has been hopping around like a happy cow in the springtime. I actually have the other brand in my cart and will try that one next time for comparison and then likely will start on an automatic reorder just in the interest of cost savings, but initially I’d have to wholeheartedly recommend the Zest Paw.
Ooooh, good to know!!! I really appreciate you sharing your experience. I know it’s a small thing, but I just can’t keep cutting these darn pills open every day…
Hi Maggie! I’ve been giving Ducky fish oil capsules for several years now. I started trying to use fish oil back when Callie and Shadow were both still here in their earthly forms. Neither one of them – but especially Shadow – would touch their food when I added it so I had to find something else. I tried flaxseed oil after Callie had passed, which worked for a while, but then Shadow got tired of it, too. So I gave up. She just wouldn’t eat anything “oily”. Period. Meanwhile, I got tired of all the marketing ploys. And Ducky started refusing to eat it, too. Then, our vet suggested trying the fish oil capsules for Ducky again. He had a brand in mind that offered capsules for smaller dogs. So I started using those, wrapped in pill pockets. While I was in Florida with my brother, Sam started experiencing issues with her eating the pill pockets and spitting out the pills. So, when I got home, I started hiding them in the food bowl. I’ve been hiding them – and her Pepcid tablets – in her breakfast ever since. And the days when I find them spit out on the floor are few and very far between.
Instead of cutting open the fish oil capsules try this this technique that I read somewhere (don’t recall where; perhaps a comment on Chewy.com). Poke a hole in one end of the capsule using either a straight pin or a sewing needle. Then squeeze out the contents of the capsule into your dog’s food bowl. Just be careful that you orient the hole correctly over the bowl before you start squeezing. The first time I used this method I ended up squirting fish oil all over my shirt!
My dogs get a moderate dose of omega-3 on a regular basis. There is a good argument out there, that this might not have been necessary in the past but it is now for more than one reason. One reason being a general increase in inflammatory triggers in our dogs’ lives. The other reason being the shift in the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in what our dogs eat, such as chicken, beef and so on. For example, grass-fed beef is supposed to have a ratio that is very different from other stock.
Either way, there seems to be a solid rationale for supplementation.
One note I would add, though, that I believe it is important to distinguish between fish oil and cod liver oil. I recommend being careful with cod liver oil because it is easier to overdose on vitamins A and D which are very high in this particular source.
Other caution, of course, is the potential of contamination with heavy metals and other things. I for one choose to rotate between different sources and products just to better average the risks.
When my girl was diagnosed with CHF, the first thing the vet said was to give her fish oil. He suggested 2000 mg daily. Even though she is no longer with us, my current boys both get fish oil daily as part of their breakfast routine. I’m obviously very lucky, as they both set expectantly like they’re getting the best treat, and just swallow the capsules. My 10kg boy has 2000mg and my 27kg boy has 3000mg daily.
Yes, Omegas from fish oil is fabulous! But I read so much about rancidity. I bought one pump bottle of fish oil (Bonnie and Clyde) upon advice from another FANTASTIC DOG BLOGGER, but honestly, I still worried about rancidity. I like to buy things in bulk, you know, never run out, and fish oil supplements do not work like that. With four large dogs, mothing is likely to hang out too long (though sadly, one is INCREDIBLY “sensitive” to fish of all sorts) so I decided on sticking with canned, in water only, no salt, sardines. 1700 mg/ can and, as I said, NO ADDED salt…bonus.
But because of the lunk-head that cannot have fish, I had to find something he could have. In addition to making sure he only gets pasture raised and finished meats, he gets an egg yolk from my hens every day, algae oil (a newer product) and brain (yup, gobs of Omega 3’s). I prefer to feed him the heads of fowl and rabbit, but on occasion, I can get my hands on fresh goat or lamb brain from a local farmer who raises meat for her family. Not the option many would choose, but it works. It took me three years to do elimination diets to find out what he could and could not tolerate and all the while he would go from scabby and hairless to fuzzy and soft. But we have him sorted out for the most part. Poor guy cannot even have kelp! I was surprised the algae oil agreed with him.
Also, forgive me if the mention of the raw animal organ for Omega-3’s is something you would prefer not to publish…
Whatever works for YOUR dog is the right choice! And I appreciate you sharing your experience because there just might be someone else in the same situation that your advice can help!