Fish oil is an amazing supplement that helps you to maintain basic body functions but did you know that it worked for dogs too? It is just great just how many things fish oil can do but how exactly is it beneficial for your friendly canine friend?
Fish oil contains essential oils that greatly benefit your dog in many different ways, improving its immune system overall. With that said, it should be given with consideration since giving it too much will cause more health problems.
There are many benefits to feeding fish oil to your dog but it should be known that there are some drawbacks as well. Let’s discuss on fish oil and how it affects dogs so that we can be responsible pet owners towards them.
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What Is Fish Oil To Dogs?
Fish oil is an essential oil that contains Omega-3s that help your dog maintain and improve its basic body functions. Omega 3s consists of two main ingredients, docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) which are fatty acids.
These fatty acids are known to be more easily found in fish oil than any other source. They have anti-inflammatory effects that help to protect their internal organs and defend them from a plethora of problems in their bodies.
Dogs can produce these fatty acids on their own but they have a significantly inefficient method when compared to us humans. The DHA and EPA they produce through their bodies are simply not enough to enjoy the many benefits they can provide.
Not only that, there are some other forms of those fatty acids, flaxseed oil and canola oil, that dogs can’t metabolize which further increases the problem. This is why fish oil is the best choice when it comes to giving them those essential fatty acids that they may be missing out on.
So all this talk about the benefits makes you wonder exactly how good it is to dogs. What are these benefits that your dog can enjoy with fish oil?
Feeding Fish Oil To Your Dog, The Benefits
Dogs are more vulnerable to certain diseases that can be easily prevented through the use of fish oil. Here are some of the benefits your dog can enjoy by simply adding a fish oil supplement into their diets.
A Healthier Heart
When it comes to fat like oils in general, it is known that they cause problems to their heart as they clog up the bloodstream in the body which increases blood pressure, forcing your heart to work overtime.
Fish oil, on the other hand, is a type of unsaturated fat with anti-inflammatory effects which does the opposite of that when taken in the right amount. Inflammation causes damage to the body and increases the chance of heart attack and stroke.
Feeding your dog fish oil can help prevent it from developing heart diseases and prevent problems such as blood clots from appearing.
Goodbye Skin Problems
Dogs are also very prone to skin problems due to flaking and irritation. These can be easily prevented by simply supplementing their diets with fish oil like DHA and EPA help to improve overall skin health and coat problems.
Those essential fatty acids strengthen the membranes of your dog’s skin cells which makes it so that they are less likely to itch. This has the added benefits of making it less likely for your dog to scratch and damage their skin.
Not only that, but it also regulates their body’s ability to create cytokines, which is a potent stimulator of inflammation that reduce their likelihood of developing dry and flaky skin.
Kidney Longevity
Fish oil doesn’t directly help to improve the kidneys but failing kidneys are known to be more vulnerable to blood pressure problems among dogs. The anti-inflammatory effects of fish oil help to prevent this by lowering blood pressure, thus reducing their overall risk.
This includes the risk of inefficient protein synthesis which causes unwanted weight loss and the production of inflammation stimulators that further agitate the kidneys that are already failing as we’ve previously mentioned.
Studies have shown that dogs who take fish oil tend to live longer than those who don’t so keep that in mind.
Joint Health
Dogs are very active animals that spend most of their lives moving around. As they get older, their joints are less likely to be able to support their body weight which develops arthritis, causing them a whole world of pain.
Fish oil helps by reducing the body’s production of inflammatory stimulants to the joints. This helps them to become more agile and more comfortable as the inevitable movement of time catches up to them.
This isn’t just beneficial to aging dogs though, as healthy dogs can also improve overall joint health through the consumption of fish oil.
Cognitive Function Boost
DHA is a fatty acid that helps improve overall brain health and this applies to dogs as well. They are intelligent animals but age will eventually cause their brains to deteriorate and fish oil helps to slow down that process.
Studies have shown that older dogs who take fish oil have a better chance of recognizing their family members compared to those who weren’t taking it. They also show a decreased pattern-pacing behavior which is prevalent in aging dogs.
Younger dogs can also benefit from fish oil as they have a higher capacity to learn when supplemented with DHA. They are also more likely to retain the skill that they are taught.
Feeding Fish Oil To Your Dog, The Downsides
It’s not all good as everything in life has a downside to it. Even something as beneficial as fish oil has its disadvantages when being fed to dogs. Here are a few downsides to look at when you feed your dog fish oil.
Toxicity
Fish oil can be toxic due to the pollution that is happening all around the world. The contaminants found at sea are stored in their inhabitant, the fish that provide the amazing oil that we’re talking about.
Toxins such as mercury, lead, and cadmium can transfer from the fish to your dog through their oils. These toxins can cause problems such as cancer, organ damage, immune system problems and the list goes on.
It’s best to get your fish oil from a reputable source to prevent this from happening. Do your part in research so that you don’t cause more harm than good to your dog.
Overdosing
Not regulating your dog’s fish oil intake can be detrimental to their health instead of being beneficial. This is often caused by the abundance of EPA in their bodies which happens which high doses of fish oil in their diets.
This includes high blood sugar, more prone to bleeding, heart problems, vitamin A toxicity, and so on. As you can see, some of these problems are supposed to be prevented through the use of fish oils in the first place.
With this known, what exactly is a good amount of fish oil to feed your dogs to prevent this from happening?
How Much Fish Oil Should You Feed Your Dog
This varies from dog to dog but there is a standard formula provided by scientific experts when it comes to the right amount of fish oil for your dog. The recommended daily dose of fish oil is around 75 to 100 mg/kg of your dog’s body weight.
For example, a 50-lb dog should require about 2 grams of fish oil per day to enjoy the benefits. The maximum amount of fish oil your dog can take is roughly about twice the amount of the recommended dose so keep that in mind.
Overdosing on fish oil is a very bad thing for your dog so it’s important to find out just how much of it can improve their quality of life, not inhibit it.
Some Things To Consider While Feeding Your Dog Fish Oil
Reputable Sources
As previously mentioned, it’s best to get your fish oil sourced from a reputable origin to ensure that it’s regulated and quality-controlled. Not all fish oils are created equal and most companies cut corners by giving lesser than promised even when looking at sources for humans.
Do your due diligence and only buy from sources that are FDA regulated and come from more reputable companies.
Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver is known to have an abundance of vitamin A and D which can improve your dog’s overall health. With that said, it isn’t recommended as a supplement for Omega-3s like DHA and EPA as your dog might overdose on those vitamins instead while doing so.
The daily recommendation of vitamin A and D will be exceeded way before you reach a good amount of Omega-3s which causes other problems to your dog’s health. Steer clear from any fish oil supplements that use cod liver as their main source of fish oil.
Summary
Fish oil is not only beneficial to humans but it can also improve your dog’s overall health. They provide many benefits to ensure that your dog lives a good and healthy life but there are some disadvantages to take into consideration.
It’s also important that you know what you are feeding them and stay away from sources that are questionable. Other than that, stay within the recommended daily dosage of fish oil and your dog will be living a better life in no time.