Summaries of studies on Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Fish oil is good for dogs – and cats! Veterinarians first used omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil to treat canine allergies but now recommend it for a wide variety of conditions ranging from kidney disease to arthritis and high cholesterol. Adding fish oil to your dog's food provides anti-inflammatory effects and can help relieve itching due to atopic dermatitis, an allergy-related skin condition.

You can get fish oil supplements designed for companion animals from a variety of sources, but you also can use fish oil meant for humans as long as you choose the correct dosage. For example, Nordic Naturals recommends one capsule of its 1500 mg soft gel fish oil for large dogs weighing 20 pounds or more. Smaller animals should get smaller doses. If you use fish oil that is intended for humans, you can give larger dogs a capsule or two (depending on the dosage) and puncture a capsule to squeeze some of the contents into the food of smaller dogs or cats.

(To reduce my own risk of heart disease and cancer I take two grams of fish oil a day and also eat fish – usually sockeye salmon – two or three times a week. I recommend that everyone eat two or three servings of fish per week, take a daily fish oil supplement or consume another source of omega-3 fatty acids.)

Before dosing your dog or cat with fish oil meant for humans or pets, I suggest consulting your vet, particularly with regard to dosage. Pets with allergies may need higher than the standard dosages, and they also may need supplemental GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid that improves skin health. Your vet can best advise you about dosages and whether or not a combination of the two would work better for your pooch than fish oil alone. You may not notice changes for at least six to eight weeks, so be patient.

My dogs do not have allergies or skin problems, but I add fish oil to their food at every meal for general health maintenance.

Andrew Weil, M.D.
(Question and Answers from his website posted on 1-12-2007 see: www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400120/fish-oil-for-dogs.html)

The Benefits of Fish Oil for Dogs and Cats

Fish oil is probably best known as a supplement that is used for dogs and cats with skin issues.  The anti-inflammatory properties assist with allergies and skin conditioning problems that can lead to a variety of skin issues including ear infections, hot spots, excessive itching, excessive shedding, bad odor, chewing between the toes, dry dull coat and more.

However the benefits of fish oil do not stop there.  In fact, of all the supplements available for our pets, fish oil may be the most important due to its ability to support so many functions.  Fish oil is among the most documented of all supplements with indications that it is helpful for everything from digestive problems to kidney failure.  One of the main reasons is that it targets inflammation at the source, effectively getting to the root of the problem. 

Inflammation -- just like in humans -- is a cause of many health challenges from arthritis to heart disease.

Most of the clinical studies on the benefits of the oil’s long chain fatty acids have been used to market fish oil to humans.  However, many of the studies were also conducted on animals, including dogs.  Studies conducted on canines showed fish oil was effective at:

• Protecting the heart and vascular system – multiple trials have been done on dogs that support these findings.

• Increasing the survival times and remission rates of dogs with lymphoma and other forms of cancer – various studies indicate this.

• Helping control allergic skin reactions in dogs.

• Reducing renal scarring in dogs and cats, effectively slowing the progression of kidney failure.

Other benefits of fish oils as show in human studies concludes that fish oil:

• Reduces cartilage degrading enzymes, thereby protecting against joint damage.

• Helps regulate cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

• Eases the side effects of chemotherapy by reducing nausea and combating weight loss.

• May improve brain function and serve as a mood regulator.

• The anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil assists with pain management in situations ranging from arthritis to itchy skin.

So, adding fish oil to your dog or cat’s diet is a smart move, both as an effective remedy and as a protective measure.  In other words, even if your pet is perfectly healthy, the addition of fish oil can help them stay that way.

All fish oils are not created equal. When buying fish oil there are several things to consider and it pays to be a smart shopper.  Here are some things to look for:

Buy quality oil. You want to make sure the oil is low in heavy metals and potential toxins.

Palatability.  Palatability allows you to mix the oil with food or a treat, which is easier on you and your pet.

Wild sources. Fish used to make the oil are from wild sources.  Fish from farm raised sources tend to be higher in saturated fats and run greater risk of being exposed to pesticides and other toxins.

Ease of use.  Liquid oil is easier to use than capsules.  But, it is also easy to prick a hole in a capsule and squeeze it's contents onto food. 

Learn more about healthy pet products by visiting the following websites:

Lifes Abundance Dog Food
Lifes Abundance Cat Food
Kitty Grass and Catnip
Healthy Pet Products