Fish oil may not sound that appetizing for your dog’s diet. After all, you could just give him fish, right?
Although you might think of it that way, there’s a reason why fish oil is a recommended addition to your dog’s food. That reason is simply that fish oil is a more concentrated source of nutrients and other amazing benefits that fish can give. There are actually tons of benefits that consuming fish oil can give to our bodies, and that goes the same for our dogs!
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By giving your pooch the best fish oil for dogs, you can make him a lot healthier. However, choosing the right fish oil supplement is not easy considering the number of products on the market.
That said we have created a guide to help you choose the best fish oil supplement for dogs.
What are Fish Oils?
Fish oils come from the tissues of oily fish. They contain two omega-3 fatty acids namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Fish oil has been widely known to have certain health benefits to us humans. However, did you know that our four-legged best friends can also gain benefits from fish oil?
Benefits of Fish Oils For Dogs
Giving your dog fish oil can actually help him in more ways than one. That said, here are 5 ways on how fish oil can help your dog:
- It reduces dandruff and itchy skin and eases inflammation caused by allergies. With that, the possibility of your dog getting hot spots decreases.
- The EPA in fish oils functions as an anti-inflammatory, thus reducing the risks of inflammation of the joints which may lead to arthritis, skin, kidneys, and heart problems.
- The DHA in fish oils can help in the development of the eyes and brain of unborn puppies by giving fish oil supplements to their pregnant mothers.
- Fish oil can give your dog a healthy and shiny fur, not to mention it decreases shedding too!
- It reduces the chances of your dog getting cancer.
How to Choose the Right Fish Oil for Dogs
As mentioned earlier, choosing the right fish oil for dogs isn’t that easy. After all, there are tons of products out there to choose from. To help you pick the right product, here are some questions you should ask first:
What type of fish oil is it?
It is important to know what type of fish oil product you will be giving to your dog. There are three types of fish oil currently available on the market. They’re as follows:
- Natural Triglyceride Oil – this type of oil is the easiest to absorb inside the body, and it’s the most natural oil as well. However, it may contain contaminants due to the purification process it undergoes.
- Ethyl Ester Oil – this type of fish oil is free of any impurities due to its concentration and distillation process, making it semi-natural with minimal levels of omega 3, EPA, and DHA.
- Synthetic Triglyceride Oil – as the name implies, this type of fish oil is synthetic, making it hard to absorb inside the body. You should avoid purchasing this type of fish oil at all costs.
Did it come from farm fish or wild caught fish?
Fishes that were raised in farms and fishes that dwelled in natural waters have different qualities. Farm fish contains hazardous contaminants such as dioxins, insecticides, toxaphene, dieldrin, and PCBs. On the other hand, wild fish are free from those contaminants.
Was it processed with the use of ethanol?
Processing fish oil products with the use of ethanol is the cheapest method there is. However, ethanol can cause serious side effects on your dog when taken regularly. Therefore, you should strictly avoid fish oils that were processed with ethanol.
Fortunately, you can check the ethanol levels of fish oil at home by simply pouring a small amount of it inside a styrofoam cup. The fish oil is likely to contain ethanol if it seeps through the styrofoam in 30 minutes or less.
Is there a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
A Certificate of Analysis or COA is an issued document by Quality Assurance. It is always best to ask a COA from the fish oil manufacturer as it will show all the quality control tests the fish oil product underwent along with its results.
This can help you to determine if a certain fish oil product is good, average, or bad. Fish oil manufacturers with great reputations can easily provide you with a COA.
10 Best Fish Oils for Dogs
Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
A Great Alternative to Capsules and Soft Chews
The salmon oil by Zesty Paws comes from wild salmons in Alaska, making it a natural dietary supplement for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages. It is rich with EPA and DHA which helps keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy and soft – not to mention it also supports their overall health.
Its rich fatty acids can also help your four-legged best friend stay in great shape. His heart, joints, and overall immune system will be supported by fatty acids, making him feel active and lively every day.
Moreover, it is a great alternative if you don’t prefer capsulated or soft chews fishing oil. All you have to do is pump out the liquid salmon oil from its containing bottle and mix it easily with dog food or puppy food.
Why We Like It:
- It’s a good alternative to capsules and soft chews
- Easy to mix with a dog’s meal
- Rich with nutrients that a fish oil should contain to support a dog’s overall health
What We Don’t Like:
- Quite expensive
Amazing Nutritionals Omega-3 Fish Oil
One of the Best Omega 3 Fish Oils for Dogs
The Amazing Nutritionals Omega-3 Fish Oil contains 120 bacon-flavored fish oil chewable tablets in one bottle. Due to its natural ingredients, it can help make your dog’s coat shiny and improve the health of his bones, brain, and joints at the same time.
It was manufactured in an organic-certified and GMP facility in the US and is proven and tested by third-party testers to ensure its quality. Great results are guaranteed by the manufacturers, and they even offer a money-back guarantee if you’re disappointed in the end results.
Why We Like It:
- It’s sold at an affordable price
- Contains enough tablets that can last for more than a month
- Third-party testers were involved in the testing phase of this fish oil product
- Moneyback guarantee for unsatisfied consumers
What We Don’t Like:
- Shipping of this product is limited only to a few countries
Pure Paw Nutrition Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
Brilliant for Your Dog’s Skin and Coat Problems
This product is another good liquid alternative for dog owners who don’t prefer capsulated and soft chews fish oils. You just have to pump it out of the bottle then mix it well with your dog’s everyday meal.
With its formulation, it can relieve your furry friend from dandruff, itches, hot spots, dry fur, and shedding, making him look more beautiful and adorable as ever. It also eases his hip and joint pains with the help of its rich levels of omega-3’s DHA and EPA.
Why We Like It:
- Good alternative to capsules and soft chews
- Relieves skin and fur problems efficiently
- Contains decent levels of omega-3s
- Quite affordable
What We Don’t Like:
- There were some complaints regarding the poor packaging of the product
Grizzly Salmon Oil
Derived from Wild Caught Alaskan Salmons
Since this oil is extracted from wild-caught salmons, it is highly rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and free from any hazardous contaminants. It contains all the necessary dog vitamins your four-legged companion needs. Also, it has been proven and tested by third-party quality testing laboratories.
The nutrients from the salmon itself are still intact with the finished product, giving it a balanced mix of DHA, EPA, and other antioxidants present in a live salmon. This helps to efficiently support the heart, internal organs, vision, reproductive ability, immune system, skin health, and cognition of your dog.
This one is also another liquefied fish oil that you can easily mix with your dog’s meals by simply pumping it out of the bottle. Moreover, the bottle’s pump is medical-grade made, enabling you to mix exact measurements of fish oil on your dog’s food.
Why We Like It:
- Sourced from wild caught salmon
- Sold at a very affordable price
- Proven and tested by third-party testers to ensure its quality
What We Don’t Like:
- It’s sold in quite minimal quantities
NaturVet Omega-Gold Plus Salmon Oil
Specially Made to Improve a Dog’s Skin and Coat Health
The NatureVet Omega-Gold Plus is a chewable salmon oil product that your canine companion will truly enjoy. It is rich with fatty acids such as linoleic acid, EPA, and DHA to promote healthier skin and glossy coat, hence making it one of the best fish oils for dogs’ skin.
This salmon oil product is manufactured in a facility in the US which is FDA audited and GMP compliant with the formulations of expert veterinarians.
Why We Like It:
- It’s sold at a very affordable price
- Contains enough quantity of chewable salmon oil to last for a month or more
- Manufactured in a reliable facility
What We Don’t Like:
- Its benefits are limited to a dog’s skin and coat health
Nutramax Welactin for Dogs
High Potency Salmon Oil
The Nutramax Welactin is rich with omega-3 fatty acids sourced from wild-caught salmons. It promotes the overall wellness of your dog such as his appearance, internal organs, immune system, cognition, and senses. Along with its fish oil ingredients, it is also mixed with tocopherol, a type of vitamin E compound.
Why We Like It:
- It’s sourced from wild-caught salmons
- Targets the overall health of your dog
- Rich with all nutrients a salmon oil possesses
What We Don’t Like:
- It’s quite expensive compared to the other brands
Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Pet
One of the Best Omega 3 Fish Oil for Dogs
Nordic Naturals produces quality oil products for dogs just as they do for humans. Their fish oil is sourced from wild caught fish which makes it highly rich in omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.
This fish oil product efficiently targets the joint health of dogs, making it one of the best fish oils for dogs’ arthritis. Moreover, it supports a dog’s immune system, eye development, brain development, and heart health.
Why We Like It:
- Sourced from wild caught fish, making it free from hazardous contaminants
- Contains enough quantity to last for a month or more
- Efficiently relieves joint pains, a common health problem aging dogs suffer
What We Don’t Like:
- Quite expensive
Pet MD Salmon Oil Omega 3 for Dogs
Natural Anti-allergy Supplements For Dogs
If you’re looking to boost your pet’s health with a natural addition to their diet, salmon oil omega 3 chews from Pet MD could be a great choice. Packed full of natural nutrients and benefits, it’s an easy way to help your pet live their best life.
The salmon oil Pet MD for dogs will naturally help your pet feel relief from itching and skin-related allergies. Dry and flaky skin is naturally soothed from the inside out because of the anti-inflammatory power of omega 3. After taking the product regularly your pet will also get shinier, softer and smoother hair, with a boost from the natural goodness of the supplement.
Customers with elderly pets, pets with skin allergies, bone issues, or immune problems should especially consider giving their pets these easy-to-digest, produced in the USA, salmon oil chews as a great source of omega 3.
Why We Like It:
- Anti-inflammatory omega 3 helps with dry skin and skin allergies
- Helps give dogs a shinier, thicker, softer coat
- Promotes joint, immune system, bone and brain health
- Dogs will love the tasty salmon chews
What We Don’t Like:
- Some dogs may not like the taste
- May not contain as much omega 3 as standard fish supplements
Finest For Pets Pure Omega Fish Oil for Dogs and Cats
Designed to Reduce Allergies on Your Dog
This fish oil product is sourced from wild caught fish, making it rich with omega 3, 6, and 9. It also reduces allergies on your dog, thereby avoiding dry itchy skin. Its DHA and EPA contents help give your pet a silky coat and soft fur.
This product also reduces inflammation to avoid arthritis which causes joint pains. This one comes in liquid formulation instead of the usual tablets and soft chews. You can easily mix it with your furry friend’s meal. Moreover, a money back guarantee is offered if you aren’t satisfied with the results within 30 days.
Why We Like It:
- Contains no artificial ingredients, additives, or preservatives
- Contains no fishy odors which your dog and even cat will love
- Includes a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the results
What We Don’t Like:
- Its dispenser can be quite messy, causing the oils to drip from the top
An All-Natural Fish Oil Supplementation
This fish oil is extracted from fish caught in the frigid fresh waters of Iceland using acceptable fishing methods and practices. As expected, it’s full of Omega 3, EPA, and DHA. It also treats and improves the overall health of your canine friends, especially the joint health of older dogs, making it a great joint supplements for dogs.
This product was manufactured with the supervision of the best veterinarians in the animal care industry. It is currently one of the purest fish oil products available on the market.
Why We Like It:
- It’s been recommended by a number of veterinarians for both dogs and cats
- Extracted from wild caught fish which are free of any toxins
- Contains no fillers and artificial ingredients
What We Don’t Like:
- Comes with no pump included
FAQs
Q: Are there dosages to follow in giving fish oil to a dog?
A: The smaller your dog, the smaller the dose you should administer. Meanwhile, the bigger your dog is, the higher the dose you’ll have to give. Just make sure to follow the exact dosages instructed by the manufacturer according to your dog’s weight.
Q: Are there any dangers of an overdose?
A: There are no direct threats if your dog took exceeding dosages of fish oil. However, he might get diarrhea.
Q: How long until results can be noticed?
A: Usually, it takes about 3 weeks before you can see some results – sometimes even longer than that. If it’s been months since you started giving fish oil to your dog, it’s likely that the product you bought is of low quality.
Q: Which is better? Capsule or liquid form?
A: It depends on your dog. Some dogs don’t like capsules, making it hard to feed it to them. Therefore, it is much better to use a liquid form fish oil as you can easily mix it with your dog’s meals without him noticing it.
Final Thoughts
As dog lovers, we should care for the well-being of our four-legged furry friends as they also care for us. However, if your dog’s health issues seem to be getting worse, it’s best to visit a veterinarian rather than just relying on fish oil supplementations alone.