Health Benefits of Fish Oil for Your Dog
In a world where there are so many supplements made for dogs, it can be hard to determine which one your pet really needs. One of the most popular dog supplements on the market is fish oil. Fish oil has many benefits for dogs, but is it something that your pup really needs? Today I’m sharing the health benefits of fish oil for your dog.
What is Fish Oil
Fish oil is made from the tissues of oily fish. Most commonly fish oil is made from mackerel, herring, tuna and salmon. The oil contains omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA which are necessary for a dogs overall health and well being. Like humans, dogs can’t make omega-3 fatty acids on their own, so a fish oil supplement is needed to get it in their system.
Omega-3 DHA and EPA help balance out omega-6 fatty acids which are often found in processed food. Most processed dog kibble contains a large amount of omega-6 fatty acids which can cause health issues if it is not balanced out with the proper amount of omega-3.
What are the Benefits of Fish Oil for Your Dog
Fish oil has so many benefits for your dog and will allow them to live a healthier life.
1. Allergies
Fish oil can help calm the inflammatory reaction to seasonal allergies in dogs. Omega-3 DHA and EPA reduce the amount of histamines that are released from white blood cells. Vets often recommend fish oil for pups who are prone to seasonal allergy reactions such as itchy skin, red eyes, and runny nose.
2. Skin Health
Omega-3 DHA and EPA help maintain dogs normal skin moisture to reduce dry and itchy skin reactions. It can be used to maintain the skin of an already healthy dog or can help cure a itchy or dry skin on dogs.
3. Joint Health
The fatty acids found in fish oil promote cartilage development and maintain bone and joint health. Like humans, dogs run into stiff joints as they age. Omega-3’s can reduce the amount of inflammation aging dogs typically face.
4. Immune Health
Omega-3 DHA and EPA helps promote dog immune health. This keeps your pup feeling healthy longer and keeps them from catching popular canine illnesses such as distemper and bordetella.
Which Fish Oil Should You Buy
Because it’s such a popular supplement for our furry friends, there are a ton of different fish oil options on the market for dogs.
Oil
Fish oil that comes as a straight oil is a great choice for dogs who don’t like to take chews or pills. You can easily add a couple pumps to your dogs meals to get them the extra nutrients they need from the omega-3 fatty acids.
Chews
Fish oil for dogs also comes as a chew. These are easy to give to dogs who aren’t too picky as the fishy smell should encourage your pup to gobble them up.
Soft Gels
If your dog doesn’t enjoy the taste of fish oil, you can buy it as a soft gel capsule. These capsules are easy to stuff into cheese or cover with peanut butter to get your dog to eat it.
While fish oil provides many benefits for dogs, it may not work for every pup. Always consult with your vet before adding supplements to your dogs food.
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.