Buying Fish Oil for my Dog
Are you considering buying fish oil to add to your dog’s diet? Curious about the benefits of fish oil for your dog? The team of vets and vet nurses at VetProductsDirect can help you with your questions and help you choose the best supplement for your dog.
Why give my dog Fish Oil?
Fish Oil is a great way to add omega-3 fatty acids to your dog’s diet. This dietary supplement has been found by the American Kennel Club to support dog’s hearts, promote a silky coat, reduce itchy or flaky skin, and can also relieve allergies and joint pain. It can even help strengthen the immune system of dogs, helping them fight off canine cancers.
The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil (Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) are an essential good fats that helps dogs brains and bodies, and are acids that dogs (and humans) can’t produce themselves - it must be part of their diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish, shellfish, plant and nut oils and flaxseed. Research indicates that dogs benefit from fish oil across their lifespan - the DHA in fish oil aids the brain and eye development of puppies, and also helps cognitive function in older dogs.
Omega-3 fatty acids also balance out Omega-6 fatty acids - and most dogs these days have a diet that is too high in Omega-6 fatty acids. Whilst Omega-6 fatty acids are important, and help promote healthy coats and skin, it is the balance of the fatty acids in your dog’s diet that is important. Omega-6 fatty acids are often found in meat (chicken and other animal fats) and vegetable oils (and therefore are generally found in processed foods). If your dog’s diet is too high in Omega-6, it can cause chronic inflammation in your dog - this can result in allergies, arthritis, diabetes, cancer and auto-immune diseases.
Are Human Fish Oil tablets suitable for my dog?
In a word - NO! Remember, you’re giving fish oil tablets to your dog to achieve a balanced diet for your pooch. Your dog has different dietary requirements and different dosage requirements to humans.
Also, because fish oil can have a strong odour, many human fish oil tablets contain additives (flavours) to make them more palatable to humans - some of these are not suitable for animals. Just think - what smells appetising to your dog isn’t what you’d like to eat! (I saw what you ate when we went on our last walk, Doggo! That’s disgusting!)
What is the best Fish Oil product for my dog?
At VetProductsDirect, we stock only the best quality Fish Oil, and the team at VetProductsDirect are happy to discuss the right Fish Oil for your dog. Some great products that we stock include:
- PAW Fish Oil - PAW Fish Oil 500 Veterinary Strength is a concentrated blend of liquid fish oil with no added artificial colours or flavours. It contains fish oil with omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, formulated specifically for pets based on standard ratios recommended by the US National Research Council. It comes with an easy to dose pump dispenser.
- HempPet Dog Oil Blend with Hoki Fish and MCT Oil gives your dog the triple benefits of Hempseed Oil, Hoki Fish Oil and MCT (coconut) Oil. HempPet products are Australian made, from 100% Australian ingredients and free from chemicals and pesticides. The products are high in Omega 3, 6 and 9, and contain a perfect EFA balance.
- PAW Dermega Omega 3 & 6 Oral Supplement contains pure and fresh fish oil and linseed (flaxseed) oil that is stabilised using vitamin E, and is particularly useful for “itchy dogs”.
- Some of the best dry dog foods (like Hills Science Diet and Hills Prescription Diet) already contain a balance of fish oils - look at Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Paws, Hill's Science Diet Healthy Mobility Small Bites Adult and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dog Sensitivity Control
What are some concerns about Fish Oil for my dog?
- Remember, Fish Oil may be a way that you achieve a balanced diet for your dog. Before you add Fish Oil to your dog’s diet, talk with your vet about your current meal plan for your dog, what supplements (and medications) your dog is already taking, and what would be an appropriate starting dosage of fish oil for your dog. Your vet will consider your dog’s breed, size, weight, and overall health.
- Fish oil can quickly go “off”. You should protect fish oil from heat, light, and air and some manufacturers recommend that you store your fish oil in dark bottles in the refrigerator or in the freezer. It can become rancid since fish oils are susceptible to oxidation, so throw it away if it has an “off” odor.
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There are some concerns raised about Fish Oil, the toxins in our oceans and fish, and the environmental impacts of harvesting fish oil for animals.
What are the alternatives to Fish Oil for my dog’s balanced diet?
VetProductsDirect also stock a full range of omega supplements (including supplements that include Omega-3, omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids) that might also be useful to balance your dog’s diet:
- Value Plus Omega 3, 6 And 9 Oil - Too much Omega 6 can suppress Omega 3 absorption. Omega 9 oils dilute the amount of Omega 6. Omega 3 & 6 plus 9 Oil = complete Omega Absorption.
- omega-3 fatty acids are found in Sasha’s Flexibites and PAW Osteosupport)
- green lipped mussel contains 30 fatty acids, and is found in PAW OsteoSupport) and Glyde chews and powder)
- Epiitalis, a plant oil extract which builds chondrocyte cells for cartilage regeneration (found in 4Cyte).
Where can I buy Fish Oil and other Omega fatty acid products for my dog at the best price?
Vet Products Direct is a company of veterinary surgeons, vet nurses and skilled warehouse staff. We have been providing high quality professional pet and animal products in conjunction with professional advice since 1998.
The team at VetProductsDirect sells a full range of dietary supplements for your dog, including the best range of fish oils for your dog, so you can be sure that you select something that gives your dog the best balanced diet with an appropriate range of omega fatty acids.
If you don’t know what your dog needs, after looking through the products on our website, call our friendly Customer Service Team! We are the only online Australian Pet Company to have calls answered by fully qualified and experienced Veterinary Nurses.
