What is fish oil good for? In short, it comes down to the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which a dog's body does not produce in sufficient amounts on its own. These two fatty acids play a role in skin and coat, in supple joints and in general well-being throughout a dog's life. That is why fish oil is one of the most widely used supplements for dogs, and for many it is a fixed daily drizzle on the meal.
Fish oil is not a miracle cure, but a nutritional supplement that gives a dog's meals a boost of exactly those fatty acids that are hardest to get enough of through an ordinary diet. In the following, we go through what fish oil contains, what the active substances do, how to dose thoughtfully, and when it makes sense to supplement a dog's meals with a couple of pumps of oil.
What does fish oil contain, and what is it made of?
Fish oil is extracted from fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel and anchovy. What makes the oil valuable is its content of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These carry the majority of the properties associated with fish oil, and they are also what you should look for when evaluating a product. An oil with a high content of EPA and DHA gives more for your money than an oil where the omega-3 proportion itself is low.
In addition to the active fatty acids, fish oil naturally contains fat, and some oils also contribute fat-soluble vitamins. Precisely because oil is concentrated fat, it counts towards the dog's total energy intake, and therefore it makes sense to see it as part of the daily meal and not as something that simply comes on top without consequence. The quality of the raw material and its freshness are decisive: a fresh, gently processed oil tastes better and retains its properties, whereas a rancid oil loses its value.
At ESSENTIAL FOODS you will find fish oil in our The Omega 3 Oil, where the omega-3 comes from select raw materials in a pure, concentrated form. If you would rather provide omega-3 through the meal itself, the fish-based meals in our fish collection are a natural place to start, because here the fatty acids are included directly in the daily feeding.
What does fish oil do for a dog's skin and coat?
The most visible thing many people notice is a change in the coat. The omega-3 fatty acids support the skin's natural barrier and help keep the coat shiny and glossy. For dogs with dry, flaky skin or a dull, lifeless coat, this is often where owners first notice a difference once the fatty acids become a fixed part of everyday life.
Skin and coat largely reflect how a dog is thriving from within, and the fatty acids from fish oil are a building block in that work. A shiny coat is not just cosmetic, but a sign that the skin is getting what it needs. If you want to give your dog extra focus on skin and coat, you can combine the fish oil with a few well-chosen treats such as our Skin Delights, which are composed with the skin in mind.
What does fish oil help with when it comes to joints and movement?
Besides skin and coat, omega-3 is associated with a dog's joints and mobility. This is one of the reasons why many choose to supplement with fish oil as a dog gets older and daily life calls for extra suppleness. For senior dogs, whose golden years should ideally be lived actively and comfortably, this is often where the focus lands.
If you have a senior dog, it makes sense to consider the fatty acids as part of a whole together with a meal tailored to that stage of life. In our senior meals you will find relevant products gathered with the senior dog's everyday life in mind, and they can naturally be supplemented with the oil. If joints and mobility are your primary focus, The Mobility Blend has been developed specifically to support a dog's mobility through a daily supplement.
How much fish oil should a dog have per day?
The right amount depends on the dog's size, age, activity level and on how concentrated the oil is. A small dog needs significantly less than a large one, and a dog with a high activity level has a different energy requirement than a dog with a more moderate everyday life. Because fish oil is concentrated fat, dosing is not only about the fatty acids, but also about keeping the dog's total energy intake in balance, so that the meals still suit your particular dog.
Always follow the dosing instructions on the product you are using, and introduce the oil gradually so the stomach can get used to the new ingredient. If you are unsure how much is right for your particular dog, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready by phone, chat or email to help you find the right amount based on your dog's weight, life stage and meals. If, on the other hand, your question concerns a specific health condition or symptoms, it is the vet you should talk to.
How quickly does fish oil work, and how do you use it best?
Fish oil is not something that works from one day to the next. Because the fatty acids need to be incorporated into the body over time, it typically takes weeks before you see a visible change, for example in the coat's shine. It is a long-term investment in the dog's well-being rather than a quick fix, and therefore it makes the most sense as a fixed, daily routine rather than something you give occasionally.
In practice, the easiest thing is to drizzle the oil directly over the dog's meal, where it mixes with the rest of the food. Most dogs happily accept the taste of fish, and the oil thereby becomes a natural part of the daily feeding. If you want to make omega-3 a fixed part of everyday life, you will find the oil and other relevant supplements gathered under daily supplements, so you can put together a routine that suits your particular dog.
Fish oil is, in other words, a simple and well-considered supplement that gives a dog's meals a boost of the fatty acids that are otherwise hard to get enough of. Used consistently and in the right amount, it supports skin, coat, joints and general well-being throughout a dog's life, and it fits beautifully together with the other meals and delicacies from ESSENTIAL FOODS.