We all love our dogs but we also hate shedding. After all; we have better things to do than vacuum every day. If your dog is shedding excessively, then it may be time to rethink its food. Your dog needs a good quality food brand that is rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids. Unfortunately, many food brands do not add this important nutrient in their food and the ones that do, do not account for oxidation losses. So if you are worried about dry skin, dull coat and excessive shedding, then you need to consider feeding your pet a good over the counter or prescription fish oil for dogs. In this guide, we will talk about the right fish oil dosage chart, dog fish oil overdose prevention and everything else you need to know about fish for dogs.
Benefits of essential fatty acids and fish oil for dogs
Your dog needs healthy fats and two of the most important essential fatty acids (EFAs) are Omega 3 and Omega 6 EFA. These help your pet in the following ways:
- Omegas 3 and 6 EFA prevent inflammation and certain cancers in dogs.
- As in humans, Omega 3 essential fatty acids and fish oil supplements can improve heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in canines.
- Fish oil supplement in the right dosage can protect your pet’s joint health.
- The anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil can also help with dermatitis, itchy skin, dull coat, dry skin, dandruff and other skin issues.
- Fish oil can also improve eye health in aging dogs.
- In dogs with cancer, anti-inflammatory fatty acids can aid with conventional treatment or chemotherapy.
- Regular intake of fish oil can also benefit dogs with colitis, gastrointestinal diseases, renal health and urinary tract infection.
As can be seen, good quality Omega 3 essential fatty acids and fish oil for dogs can benefit the overall health and well being of your beloved pet.
Common FAQs about fish oil for dogs
What is the fish oil dosage chart for dogs?
If you choose to supplement your dog with over the counter fish oil, you can purchase them as people’s products available readily at Costco, Sam’s or Walmart. Your local grocery store and pharmacy will also carry them. A standard dosage for fish oil for dogs is 180 mg per 10 lbs or 4.54 kilograms of weight. The concentration of Omega 3 will be written on the product. You will need to adjust this according to the concentration of capsules. You can cut the capsules and add the oil to your dog’s food. If your pet is cooperative, you can also squeeze the pill in its mouth.
Human fish oil for dogs
As stated above, you can give human fish oil capsules to your pet. However, it is always a good idea to discuss this with your vet before you do so. For large dogs, you can use one 1000 mg capsule per day for four days in a week. The standard dose in this case again would be 300-400 mg per 10 lbs of weight. (So your 80lb dog will need approximately 1000-1200 mg of fish oil).People with smaller dogs can pierce the pill and add a drop or two of the oil on its food. While there is rarely a chance of dog fish oil overdose, it is best to feed the supplement only 3-4 times a week and no more than that. Also be especially wary of all-in-one vitamin/mineral supplements. Many of these contain calcium in large doses which can cause joint issues in puppies growing up.
Can I give my dog over the counter fish oil? Are there any other sources of Omega 3?
Yes, there are many good brands of over the counter dog fish oil. The best source of Omega 3 is available in salmon and other fatty fish. A healthy Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio in dog’s diet should be 5:1. Many people also give flax seed oil to their pets. These are rich in ALA which the body converts into EPA and DHA-the two important essential fatty acids. Studies have shown that fish oil supplementation is more effective in providing EPA and DHA than that with flax seed oil. Also many dogs are allergic to flax seed oil so it best to use fish oil for Omega 3 essential fatty acids.
Are there any dangers of overdosing?
Very rarely, there may be dog fish oil overdose. In excess, fish oil can decrease the ability of platelets to stick together. If this occurs, a blood clot may occur. So if your dog has had an injury or surgery, discuss it with your vet before feeding it fish oil according to the fish oil dosage calculator.
Conclusion
If your dog is shedding a lot, it may be time to invest in a good fish oil supplement. Always administer the supplement by first referring to fish oil dosage chart and/or fish oil dosage calculator.