Salmon Oil for Dogs

You must have heard about fish oil being extremely healthy as it consists of omega 3 fatty acids. There are two main fatty acids present in this fish oil and they are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It is found that, these fatty acids are not produced by the fish on their own but are accumulated in their bodies because they consume some microalgae which produce them. Salmon oil is a type of fish oil which is extracted from salmons and is marketed either in the form of a gel capsule or liquid.

Just the way the human body has a large necessity of these acids, so do dogs, as they too do not produce these healthy fatty acids in their bodies. Apart from salmon oil, the omega 3s are found in nuts and beans but dogs might be allergic to some of these foods and so, salmon oil supplements are a more preferred source for the same. There are many benefits of salmon oil for dogs and they can be administered in your dog’s food every now and then for better health. A few of its benefits and uses are mentioned in the coming up article, so take a look.

Health Benefits

Sea food is considered to be an extremely healthy source of nutrients, as there are traces of iodine, calcium, iron, vitamin E, etc. These are some nutrients which are required by dogs on a large amount since they need them while growing pretty much throughout their lives. The most essential is the omega 3 fatty acids which are found in salmon oil, and are beneficial for almost all the parts of the dog’s body. It is required to keep its coat, joints, organs, and systems healthy and sharp as dogs need their senses to be very strong.

However, it is a common question, that when humans consume too much fatty acids, they tend to become obese and overweight, so why wouldn’t dogs? The answer to this is very simple, the breakdown of fats in dogs is not similar to that in humans and therefore, there are no chances of your dog putting on weight, at least because of salmon oil! According to the reviews, there are many brands which market this product in the form of liquid and capsules. So, you can choose, in which way you would prefer to supply for dogs.

• The first one of the benefits and uses is to improve the coat and skin condition of the dog, by making it shiny and soft. It also reduces the chances of skin problems and dog allergies, so that fleas are kept away. It helps in producing more collagen and doesn’t let dry skin affect the dog’s coat.


• When you have moderate dosage of about 1000 mg per 10 lbs of dog weight, you will surely keep your dog away from joint problems like arthritis. It also reduces inflammation and pain in dogs keeping them active and healthy.


• Another major one of the omega 3 fish oil benefits is that, because of its anti-inflammatory property, it is also beneficial for various kidney problems as well. Therefore vets have advised with kidney disease as effective treatments.

Side Effects

With every benefit, there have to be some side effects and the same applies to fish oil for dogs. Though they are great dietary sources, salmon oil can have a few negative effects on dog health. These side effects are not very serious and they can be controlled before the situation worsens, but you have to make sure your dosage is prescribed and appropriate. These are;

• Changes in stool consistency.


• Gaining weight without stopping or dog obesity (can be reduced with exercise).


• The dog can suffer from bad breath.


• Other non serious problems like stomach pain, nausea and giddiness.

With these benefits and side effects, I am sure you have found this article beneficial. However, before adding this fish oil in any of your dog’s meals, make sure you have consulted your vet and are using salmon oil on his/her prescription.