Many dog owners give their dogs salmon oil. But why is this fish oil so popular, and is salmon oil really suitable for dogs? Find out more about its uses, current research, as well as the pros and cons of feeding it to your dog in the following article.
© Tatyana Gladskih / stock.adobe.com
Salmon oil contains many healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
High-quality fish oils like salmon oil generally have a good reputation. With their healthy fats, they are believed to support health as a dietary or feed supplement — whether for humans or animals.
At present, there are still not many studies on the effects of salmon oil on the health of dogs. Most studies have looked at the impact of fish oil on the health of humans or laboratory animals.
However, a 2022 study published in the journal “biomolecules”, which examined the effects of fish oil on the health of active police dogs, suggests that it could improve cardiovascular health and immune parameters.
Fish oils like salmon oil are therefore thought to have mainly positive effects on health. But what about possible negative consequences? Here you’ll find an overview of the pros and cons of fish oil:
Similar to other types of fish (such as mackerel or tuna), salmon oil consists largely of valuable fatty acids. These include, above all, long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
EPA and DHA are believed to have several positive effects on health. For example, fish oil intake is said to lead to the body producing more leukotrienes and prostanoids. These substances are thought to have the following beneficial properties:
While fish oils can have many benefits, they can also have negative effects on your dog’s health. These mainly occur if you do not follow the recommended usage or give your dog too much salmon oil.
Note: Ideally, only give your dog salmon oil if your vet has no objections.
A food allergy to fish oil is quite rare in dogs, but it can still occur.
Due to the blood-thinning effect of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil can slow down wound healing. If your dog has general clotting problems, it’s best to avoid giving fish oil as a precaution.
Although salmon oil is generally easy to digest, not all dogs tolerate it equally well. This is mainly noticeable through digestive problems such as diarrhoea or flatulence.
In addition to a general deficiency in fatty acids — noticeable, for example, by dry and flaky skin — there are other reasons to give dogs salmon oil.
However, always do this in consultation with your vet, as giving salmon oil is not a substitute for veterinary treatment in the case of serious illnesses.
The effect of salmon oil on eye health in dogs is not yet sufficiently researched. Some studies confirm a positive effect on eye health, while others do not. Further studies with dogs are therefore awaited.
It has been reported that EPA-rich fish oils like salmon oil can help reduce inflammation in allergic skin conditions in humans and laboratory animals. Dog owners whose pets suffer from atopy also sometimes use the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil.
For certain digestive issues — such as intestinal mucosal atrophy, which leads to chronic diarrhoea — a combination of salmon oil, with its high omega-3 content, and rice as a gentle diet can be used.
The healthy fats in salmon oil are also believed to support the nervous system. When given correctly, they may help slow down neurodegenerative diseases. However, salmon oil is neither a preventive nor a cure.
Salmon oil is also often used in dogs with chronic joint inflammation due to rheumatism. Its anti-inflammatory properties can have a positive effect on arthritis, which is associated with severe joint pain.
As salmon oil is believed to promote eyesight and brain development, it is also often used in the feeding of puppies. However, please note that puppy food is already specially tailored to the needs of puppies.
Giving your puppies fish oil without consulting your vet could lead to an overdose and cause side effects.
Before giving your dog salmon oil as a dietary supplement, always consult your vet first. Especially for dogs with health issues, changing your dog’s diet on your own can have negative effects.
There are various types of fish oils available on the market. These include:
These types of fish oil also differ in terms of absorption – natural triglyceride oil is considered the most easily absorbed.
Note: Ask your vet which fish oil is best suited for your dog. Many factors should be considered in this decision, such as your dog’s breed and current health status.
How much salmon oil your dog can tolerate depends mainly on their weight, age, and health. If you buy fish oil capsules developed specifically for dogs, you can follow the manufacturer’s dosage instructions.
In addition, unless your vet advises otherwise, you can follow these guidelines for dosing fish oil:
| Dog’s body weight (kilograms) | Maximum amount of salmon oil per day (tablespoons) |
| 5 | 0.5 |
| 10 | 1 |
| 20 | 2 |
| 30 | 3 |
| 40 | 4 |
| 50 | 5 |
© Евгений Логвиненко / stock.adobe.com
As a guideline, you can give your dog up to one tablespoon of fish oil per ten kilograms of body weight daily. However, always check with your vet first to see if fish oil is suitable for your dog for long-term or short-term use.
If you notice any signs of intolerance in your dog, you should stop giving fish oil for the time being.
Sources:
At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene. Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future. Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.
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