The Benefits of Fish Oil for Cats & Dogs

What is Fish Oil?

Fish oil is a dietary supplement full of omega-3 fatty acids and commonly comes from salmon or other cold-water fish. Nutritional supplements are a great way to provide your pet with extra vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Fish oil has become a popular supplement as it may help fight against some types of cancers and inflammatory illnesses. While the effectiveness of fish oil may vary for each pet, it is still a great supplement to consider giving to your pet!

Why are Omega Fatty Acids Good?

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential components of a pet’s diet. Omega-6 fatty acids help with immune function, growth and healthy skin and coat. These omega-6 fatty acids can be found in vegetable oils such as sunflower oil or animal fats such as chicken.

Omega-3 fatty acids are required for joint inflammation management, regulating blood flow, and developing vision and brain function. Unfortunately, dogs are unable to produce these fatty acids on their own. Therefore, our pets require their diet to contain some form of omega fatty acids.

The Go! Solutions by Petcurean and Canadian Naturals kibble food lines formulate their recipes to include omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Raw food brands like Pets Go Raw recommend supplementing their recipes with a cold-pressed oil from animal or fish sources to ensure omega fatty acids requirements are met. Fish oil is an excellent addition to both raw and kibble diets as it ensures your pet’s diet has a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

What Are the Benefits of Fish Oil?

1. Heart Protection

Fish oil can help reduce inflammation from heart failure and may help prevent blood clots from forming in pets with heart disease.

2. Healthy Skin and Coat

Pets suffering from itchy, dry skin may benefit from omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help promote a healthy coat and may reduce inflammation brought on by skin allergies.

3. Reduces Kidney Disease Progression

In some cases, dogs and cats with kidney disease may benefit from fish oil supplementation. Fish oil may help to lower blood pressure and the amount of protein loss in urine.

4. Joint Relief

Fish oils contain EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These are both types of omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation of joints and improve mobility – especially in           senior pets!

5. Improves Cognitive Function

The omega-3 acid DHA is also needed to develop the brain and vision in young puppies and kittens. In senior pets, DHA works to keep cognitive functions like vision sharp in older age.

How is Fish Oil Given?

Fish oil is available in either a capsule or liquid form, which owners can give on its own without food. However, fish oil is a great supplement to mix in with your pets’ food at mealtimes and is easily combined with kibble and raw food diets.

Whether you decide to give fish oil with meals or at a specific time of day, establishing a schedule is recommended. A schedule ensures your pet receives the right amount of fish oil at a consistent time every day. A set schedule will help prevent the likelihood of double dosing fish oil or forgetting to give the supplement entirely.

What Brand of Fish Oil do We Recommend?

We recommend trying  Naturvet Salmon Oil or Naturvet Hemp Seed Oil with Krill & Salmon to supplement your pet’s diet. Naturvet is a reputable pet product supplier whose mission is to manufacture products that ensure the superior quality of life our pets deserve. To learn more about the quality ingredients used in Naturvet’s products, head on over to their website to learn more. This site has a TON of details about their products and ingredients, so you can feel good about using their products!

Is Fish Oil Right for Your Pet?

While there are many benefits to fish oil, this supplement may not be suitable for every pet. Some pets with fish sensitivities may react with potential side effects such as diarrhea or vomiting. Additionally, certain medications should not be mix with fish oil, as it may impact the effectiveness of the medication. Other than checking for potential side effects, no specific monitoring needs to be done when giving fish oil. Typically, owners can expect to see results within the first couple of weeks.

It is important to consider your pet’s weight, size and breed when considering fish oil as a supplement. We recommend speaking to your veterinarian before starting your pet on any fish oil to ensure all your pet’s health and dietary needs are being met!