Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
Fish oil supplements are a source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which may have benefits for your dog’s health.
Protecting your dog’s health can support their longevity.
Choosing the right fatty acid supplement can support your dog’s liver and heart function, and support their overall health.
If you take a daily fish oil supplement for heart and joint health, you might wonder if the same fish oil products will help your dog. That’s a good question, and the team at Yummy Combs (who are also pet parents) is here to address it.
We’ll discuss what fish oil is, what makes it beneficial, and fill you in on some side effects you’ll need to know about before giving your pup an omega-3 fish oil supplement. If you’d rather not give your dog a fish oil supplement, don’t worry. There’s another option and we’ll explain what it is and how it works.
Fish oil soft gels, whether for humans or dogs, contain a blend of fatty acids known as omegas. Omega fatty acids are essential fatty acids which means that dogs need them but can’t produce them on their own.
That means they need to get them from food or supplements. Most dogs will get the fatty acids they need in their kibble, but if your dog has an underlying health issue, taking a supplement may be recommended.
Omega-3 fatty acids include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), (docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are beneficial for brain and eye health and also help produce hormones that help with blood flow and inflammation. Most omega-3 is found in cold water fish like mackerel, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, and in seed and nut oils.
Omega-6 fatty acids are also essential, but most dogs have an overabundance of them in their diet due to dog food that is made from the meat of corn-fed animals or grains that contain high amounts of omega-6. While dogs need omega-6, they don’t need a lot.
Most fish oil supplements contain more than just omega-3 and omega-6 siphoned out of a fish’s oily skin and livers. Many are made from a blend of oils, like salmon oil and krill oil.
Additionally, these supplements usually contain preservatives to ensure they are shelf-stable, although research shows that many fish oil supplements are rancid (read: spoiled) on store shelves before they are even purchased and consumed. If a fish oil supplement is rancid in the bottle, it will be rancid in your dog’s body.
Fish oil supplements are available as triglyceride oils, ethyl ester oil, and synthetic triglyceride oil. Natural triglyceride oil is easily absorbed, but it may contain contaminants because it is not purified. Ethyl ester oil contains concentrated fatty acids and is semi-natural. Synthetic triglyceride oil is not very easily absorbed.
Determining the best fatty acid oil supplement for your dog is important, and a good place to start shopping is by understanding why your dog would need a supplement in the first place.
Just because something may be beneficial doesn’t mean your dog needs it. When determining whether or not a fish oil supplement will positively impact your pet’s health, talk to their veterinarian first.
Your dog’s veterinarian can assess their health and determine if taking a regular fish oil supplement will help support a healthier body and brain. For puppies, DHA helps support healthy brain and eye development. For older dogs, omega-3 may benefit brain health if they suffer from canine cognitive dysfunction.
If you have an aging pup with canine arthritis, a daily omega-3 supplement may help them experience a higher level of comfortable mobility. However, adding an omega-3 supplement to your dog’s diet isn’t a decision to make lightly. The correct dosage is important, and ensuring it is a good fit for your dog is also key.
The health benefits of omega-3 can be enjoyed by your dog when given the proper dose. Dosage is based on your dog’s body weight, with upper limits extremely high for large dogs. It is incredibly important to ensure you don’t give your dog too much of a fish oil supplement, as there are known risk factors and side effects.
Speak to your dog’s veterinarian about whether offering them food-based supplements is a better fit. Some dogs may benefit from the addition of kibble made from sardines or anchovies as opposed to taking a fish oil supplement.
Before you give your dog fish oil, you should know that some side effects are common. Gastrointestinal upset can occur when giving your dog a fish oil supplement, especially at higher doses.
This can result in stomach pain, cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea. Try giving your dog a smaller dose of fish oil than recommended to see if it is well tolerated.
Additionally, fish oil thins the blood, which may reduce your dog’s blood pressure or make it harder for wound healing. If they were to have an accident, it could increase their risk of bleeding. Fish oil may also affect your dog’s coat health, resulting in dry skin, flaky skin, or an oily coat.
The most common side effect, however, is fish breath. Let’s be honest, our dogs don’t always have minty-fresh breath to begin with, so offering them a fish oil supplement that leaves them smelling, well, fishy, might not make face-to-muzzle cuddles any more comfortable.
If you want to give your dog a fatty acid supplement, there’s a better option.
Longevity15 is the first and only supplement available for dogs that contains pentadecanoic acid, also known as C15:0. C15:0 is an odd-chain, saturated fatty acid that is the first essential fatty acid to have been discovered since the omegas over 90 years ago.
C15:0 supports your dog’s heart health and liver function by targeting the foundation of your dog’s health: their cells. C15:0 deep dives into cells to keep them supported, which helps support your dog’s entire body.
C15:0:
The C15:0 in Longevity15 helps support your dog’s overwell wellness and is one of the smartest moves you an make to help your dog live a longer life. Best of all, it comes free of side effects and won’t ever give them any fishy breath. That means fresher breath and more close cuddles.
If your dog’s breath still needs a tune-up, just grab their favorite treat, Yummy Combs®.
In addition to Longevity15, Yummy Combs treats combine nutritious, health-supportive ingredients that also help keep your dog’s teeth and gums in minty fresh condition. Yummy Combs is the only treat that is scientifically proven to remove hardened tartar from your dog’s gumline to support their oral health and prevent the harmful effects of gum disease.
Our treats are safe, made with our proprietary Slick’M™ ingredient that helps with rapid dissolving to deter choking. The unique honeycomb design not only provides scrubbing and flossing for every surface of every tooth, it also helps discourage dogs from gulping, which could present a choking hazard.
For fresh breath, dazzling clean teeth, and nutritional support you can trust, Yummy Combs are the dental treat you need.
Fish oil supplements might be a good solution for your dog, but their veterinarian should be the deciding voice in making that decision. Keeping your dog healthy is one of your top priorities, and it’s important to the team at Yummy Combs, too.
That’s why you’ll find all the latest research about your dog’s health, new discoveries that can help keep your dog living a longer and healthier life, and the most innovative products for keeping them well right on our website.
Sources:
Fish Oil for Dogs: What to Know | American Kennel Club
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
How much Omega 3 fatty acids should I give my dog? | Canine Arthritis
Revealed: Many Common Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements Are Rancid | The Guardian
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Always feed the right treat size for your dog’s weight category. Always supervise your dog when feeding treats. This product is an adult only dog treat. Always provide ample fresh water for your dog.
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