Fish Oil for Dogs: What Are the Benefits?

Fish oil for dogs is a natural supplement and has many benefits. However, you need to follow your vet's instructions when giving it to your dog.

Is fish oil as good for dogs as it’s made out to be? What’s certain is that it can be a very beneficial food supplement for your pet. In this article, let’s look at some ways that fish oil can be good for your pet. We’ll also see how you can introduce it into your dog’s food.

Fish oil is an unequaled source of fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6. These are derived from fish or other seafood, which make them easily digestible for animals.

Did you know that fish oil is also high in certain minerals that your dog needs? It contains more of these nutrients than any generic dog food. This means that with fish oil your dog will have a much more complete diet, with everything it needs to be healthy.

Benefits of fish oil for dogs

Fish oil is good for animals at any time of their life. However, it’s especially beneficial for those that have been through recent health issues. For instance, your dog may be malnourished because of a previous owner or because of an illness, or it may be recovering from recent surgery.

With the help of fish oil, sick animals can recover their energy quicker. It also helps weak puppies to grow, and gives them the nutrients they need to get stronger.

Fish oil is also the ideal complement for animals with skin problems or arthritis. It helps to maintain their fur soft and strong, which, in turn, reduces hair loss.

Further advantages

Here are some of the other pros of this magnificent, natural source of nutrients:

• It’s been demonstrated that fish oil is useful in the prevention and treatment of cancer, since Omega 3 is capable of reducing the multiplication of cancerous cells.
• It stimulates cognitive activity: the brain is one of the body’s organs that benefits most from Omega 3. It slows the brain’s aging process and reduces the probability of a stroke.
• Reduces cholesterol levels. Specialists have demonstrated that fish oil for dogs can reduce any cholesterol that has accumulated in your pet’s arteries. This improves your dog’s cardiovascular health and decreases the chances of it suffering a heart attack.
• Natural anti-inflammatory. Regular consumption of this supplement helps to reduce inflammation in joints, which will help older pets in their daily life.
• Strengthens the immune system. Fish oil for dogs is one of the best aids to the immune system, which improves your dog’s overall strength and well-being and helps to defend the body against diseases.
• Improves the skin and fur: it’s been demonstrated that animals that take this supplement enjoy healthier and thicker fur, and avoid many common skin problems. It also reduces possible allergies.
• Reduces the probability of kidney disease: this illness affects the majority of older pets. Taking fish oil improves kidney function.

How to include fish oil in your dog’s diet

The amount of fish oil your dog may need will depend on various factors. Some of these factors could be the age of your dog, its weight, general health and if there is a specific object you want the fish oil to help with.

In any case, you should carefully control the amount you give to your dog. If you give your dog doses on a regular basis, the effects will be more constant.

It would be ideal to consult your veterinarian before adding any dietary supplements to your dog’s food. That way, the vet can analyze your dog’s needs and work out the correct quantity your dog requires.

Your vet can also advise you on the best way to administer the fish oil, whether it be in capsule form or otherwise, as well as on the type of fish oil that will be best for your dog.

But make sure you follow your vet’s instructions. If you don’t, it could cause intestinal problems for the animal. That, of course, would be counterproductive, and could even be dangerous in the case of sick or recovering animals.

Of course, if you work together with your vet, you’ll be able to give your dog this fantastic supplement in the amount that will benefit it the most, and you’ll see improvements sooner. Everything you can do is well worth it for your pet’s health, right?