As responsible pet parents, it hurts all of us to watch our dogs suffer at the hands of dry and flaky skin. We all want our pups to be happy, energetic, full of life, and beautifully maintained, however, it takes time to figure out where to start. That's where fish oil supplements jump in!
Fish oils and wheat germ oil have beneficial omega 3 fatty acids not present in dog foods, which can help in brain development and improve your dog's skin. Plus, giving fish oil helps enhance joint health, thanks to its anti inflammatory properties. But with so many options, how do you know which fish oil is right for your dog?
Below you'll get a list of the five best fish oils for dogs to give your furry friend the boost they need to live their best life. So let's dive in and discover the power of fish oil for dogs!
Why Your Dog Needs Fish Oil Supplements
Dr. Thressa Fossum states, "Like humans, dogs need omega 3 fatty acids, which they get from their diet." Have you ever seen your dog's skin and coat becoming dull and dry? That's due to the lack of essential fatty acids titled "omega 3 fatty acids." These fatty acids help your dog by ensuring they always stay healthy and comfortable with perfect skin and a healthy coat.
Because omega 3 fatty acids are essential for your dog's health and healthy skin, your pooch should get a daily dose of fish oil supplements; made from different fish species. Some of them come as pills, and some as liquid fish oil.
Symptoms of omega 3 fatty acid deficiency:
· Dry skin
· Dull or decreasing coat health
· Excess shedding
· Cracked Paws
· Weak immune system response to diseases
What To Look For In A Best Fish Oil Supplement Before Buying It
Almost all dog fish oil supplements have a certain amount of omega 3 fatty acids, however, only some of them are perfect for your dog's health. Plenty of other factors can change the health benefits you are getting from a supplement, so for that reason, it is better to judge it based on the following elements:
Ingredients
The most common ingredient of any fish oil supplement is the omega 3 fatty acids and their source. Most fish oils are made from wild-caught fish. Try to avoid artificially extracted fatty acids. Instead, go for the fish oil extracted from wild-caught Alaskan salmon or cod liver oil. Prefer natural sources and avoid the fish oil extracted from farmed fish.
If you want optimal results, try finding a product with EPA and DHA fatty acids. They help improve joint health and avoid dry skin and coat.
Administrative Care
Premium fish oil supplements come in two different forms; pills and liquid fish oils. Your choice must depend entirely on your dog's preference. The pills aren't like ordinary medicine but more like fish oil treats. But there is still a probability that your dog won't be comfortable with them. In that case, you can use a liquid supplement and drizzle it over your dog's food.
Most dog foods have no chemically adverse effects if combined with wild Alaskan salmon oil. Whereas some may cause diarrhea if given in combination with cod liver oil.
Quality And Tests
FDA won't test dog supplements as closely as human fish oil supplements. Therefore, choosing a product that is individually tested by some third party would be better. Plenty of the best fish oil for dogs have independent third-party firms that check whether the products improve coat health.
Top 5 Fish Oil Supplements
Alaskan salmon oil supplements are a great way to support your dog's overall health, from their joints to their coat. To help enhance the maintenance and well-being of your pup, here are the 5 best fish oils for you.
If you are looking for a budget fish oil supplement on the market, Welactin Omega-3 is perfect for you. It has everything to prevent your dog's skin and coat from getting dull and dry. It will also improve your dog's immune system without costing you a fortune.
The best thing about these salmon oil supplements, is their approval by the expert veterinarian, Dr. Fossum. These supplements are capsules, but its administration is easy. Unlike other supplements, you won't have to wrestle with your pup to make them take the daily supplement dose.
The capsule has a minty scent from the peppermint oil used in it. As for the omega 3 concentration, each pill has a liquid supplement with 300 mg of fatty acids. According to the instructions, one pill is enough for a 20-pound dog, and increase the fish oil pills as your dog gets bigger.
The Nutri-Vet fish oil supplements are one of the many soft gel pills with vitamin E, D, and A inside them. It is considered one of the best fish oil for dogs because of its easy administration and storage. Unlike other supplements, you don't need to put them inside the refrigerator.
If you are one of those many dog owners that don't want your dog to sense a pungent fish oil smell in their food, this supplement is for you. Its odor and mess-free approach makes it an easy choice for dog owners.
According to their experts, one pill of this supplement is enough for a variable range of dogs. Any dog between the body weight of 30 to 60 pounds can have one pill a day. It would be best to consult a veterinarian first for owners with large dogs weighing more than 60 pounds.
Nordic Natural fish oil for dogs, is one of the best salmon oil supplements made in FDA-certified facilities, and improves heart health. It is also tested by a third-party organization, which makes it worthy of trust. It does not come with pills or capsules, but comes in a liquid form that you can sprinkle over your dog's food.
The best part about this supplement is its raw and natural form. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives. Nordic Naturals' wild Alaskan salmon oil supplements are made using fresh wild caught salmon and sardines from Iceland.
The ethical practice and purification strategies used in its formation make it 99% free of the unpleasant smell of fish, however, it must be stored inside the refrigerator once you open it.
PetHonesty fish oil for dogs is ideal for pet parents looking for a supplement with massive omega 3 fatty acid concentration. Unlike previous fish oil supplements, it does not have pills filled with liquid. Instead, you'll have to pump this supplement over the food yourself.
According to the instructions, two pumps of PetHonesty fish oil has roughly 4.6 grams of omega 3 fatty acids. This concentration is well over your normal range in wild salmon oil pills. For that reason, this fish oil supplement is ideal for large dogs.
Grizzly Omega Health for dogs is an Alaskan salmon oil manufacturer. Its fish oil supplement is for pet owners with multiple dogs or wanting to save money. This salmon oil is sourced from wild caught Alaskan salmon, making it high-quality fish oil with massive amounts of omega 3 fatty acids.
The pure salmon oil comes in 64-ounce containers that will last a month and save you money since the fish oil comes in bulk. As for the fatty acid quantity, one teaspoon of fish oil has 1090 omega 3 fatty acids. According to the brand experts, give your dog one pump for 25 pounds of their body weight.
The best thing about Grizzly Omega Health oil is its top-notch production quality of wild Alaskan salmon oil. This fish oil supplement is made in the USA and has the NASC quality seal. Moreover, wild-caught salmon makes it a sustainable product without artificial additives, which is why it is ideal for daily usage.
Benefits Of Using The Right Fish Oil For Dogs
Now that you know how to choose the best fish oil, it would be great to visualize how the fish oils would be beneficial for your furry friend.
Here are a few more benefits of salmon oil:
· Improvement of the immune system
· Easy muscle recovery
· Better heart health
· Improvement in joint health through anti inflammatory properties
· Gets rid of itchy and flaky skin which improves coat health
· Helps to get rid of allergies
Conclusion
By choosing the best fish oil for your pooch, you're perfecting their overall health and investing in their future by giving them a healthy coat. From improving joint health to promoting a shiny coat, the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are endless.