Fish oil is one of the leading supplements for humans for several reasons and has a wealth of different health advantages. For the concerning pet owner however, it can also be given to man’s best friend for many of the same advantages, and by supplementing your pooch’s diet with fish oil you can help it stay looking and feeling as healthy as possible. Even if you animal is currently in good health, fish oil for dogs can do wonders for its coat and joints and prevent future complications. This is particularly important as dogs usually rely on just one or two food sources for their nutrition. Particularly if your dog eats a lot of dry food this means that essential fatty acids are most likely neglected from their diet. Even pet foods that claim to contain all the essential fatty acids will be misleading, as fatty acids only last a couple of hours at room temperatures before going rancid. But why are fats so important?

DHA and EPA (standing for docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid) are the two main fatty acids in fish oils. In humans these have been demonstrated to lower triglyceride levels in the blood and aid blood pressure which can prevent and alleviate many circulatory system diseases such as angina. This same process works in animals, and so supplementing with these two compounds can decrease your pet’s chances of having a heart attack or stroke. This may also be used to help with inflammation and kidney failure.

Fish oil for dogs are also used to improve the condition of the skin and fur as the oil provides moisture to prevent flaking and improve the shine on the coat. This also prevents itching and so can help with allergic reactions to other medication or foods. This can also help prevent mites and fleas which particularly like unhealthy and dry skin. In cases where dogs are already infected with such parasites, fish oil can even be applied directly to the skin over night to smother and kill off infestations. In the same way, fish oil can help alleviate cases of arthritis and other joint pain. Again this is particularly important for dogs as many breeds experience joint pain and arthritis commonly, particularly in the knees. Furthermore, fish oils have been shown to have antioxidant properties, making them a great defence against cell damage, age related decline and cancer. With various forms of cancer being common in dogs (particularly intestinal, skin and breast cancer) as their number one killer and accounting for one in three canine deaths, this can be another great way to extend your pet’s life.

If you’ve ever heard of a dog psychologist however then you’ll know that a happy pet is not just about physical health and that depression in animals is not uncommon. Fortunately, fish oil for dogs can also improve their mood through alleviating painful and unpleasant symptoms as well as directly affecting the brain. Interestingly fish oil may also raise your dog’s intelligence by improving concentration and recall… though whether or not that’s a good thing is open to debate. Fish oil has also been shown to be highly beneficial for developing pups and puppies still in the womb, particularly for neural development, so fish oil is a great supplement for pregnant bitches.

It is recommended that when supplement your pup’s diet with fish oil you give them at least 2-3 grams a day and you should begin to see an affect within six weeks. Fish oil can also be used for cats and flax seed oil is not recommended for dogs as they allegedly find it difficult to convert the oil to DHA and EPA. Be aware however that when starting your pet on a course of fish oils you should increase the vitamin E in their diet as this can be lowered by fish oils. Fortunately most fish oil for dogs contains additional vitamin E for this very reason, but it is worth checking that yours does before you make a purchase. Fish oil for dogs can also decrease platelet aggregation through the thinning of the blood which can cause wounds to bleed longer before heeling. This is not usually a problem, but you should ask your vet to check for other clotting disorders before beginning the course. Likewise it may be wise to avoid fish oil for dogs in the run up to an operation or invasive medical procedure. Finally, taking fish oil may cause your dog to develop a ‘fishy’ smell, though if you’re already used to the ‘doggy’ smell this probably is not much worse. The strengths certainly outweigh the drawbacks, and due to the high occurrence of skin and joint problems with dogs, as well as the less varied diet that most pets receive, fish oil is possibly even more beneficial for dogs than it is for humans.

Mack LeMouse

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