What’s all the hype about fish oil?

Everyone seems to be talking about fish oil and all the benefits for your dog.  Have you been wondering if you should give your dog these supplements?  Or maybe what kind you should buy?  Let’s start with the basics and see if we can help shed some light on this fastest growing supplement for dogs.

What Is It?

Fish oil is the fat or oil that comes from different marine animals such as mackerel, tuna, salmon, anchovies, sardines and herring, among others.  They are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, often referred to as essential fatty acids because a dog’s body can’t make them, so they must be consumed in the dog’s diet.  The two ways your dog can consume fish oil is to eat the fish or take supplements.

What Are the Benefits?

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, and it’s this good type of fat that has so many benefits for your dog.  Maybe you’ve heard about omega-3 and omega-6, but why does your dog need the extra omega-3?  Processed dog foods have much more omega-6 than a dog needs, because the dog food companies often use meat from corn-fed animals .  Typically they don’t contain enough omega-3.  So your dog ends up with too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3 to balance it out.

Some of the benefits of fish oil include

• provides relief from arthritis and inflammation
• helps senior dogs with movement and joint problems
• supports heart health
• relieves allergies
• improves skin conditions
• helps with kidney issues
• lowers blood pressure
• strengthens their immune system
• helps with the development of puppies

Salmon Oil or Other Fish Oils?

There are several key differences between salmon oil and other fish oils.  Salmon oil comes only from salmon, with no other fish included.  Often other fish oils come from a combination of marine fish like cod, mackerel and krill.  The concentration of omega-3 is also higher in salmon oil compared to other fish oils.  In addition, other fish oils are heated when processed, which can break down the fatty acids.  Salmon oil is extracted with a cold-press method which helps to preserve the oil.

We use only Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil in our dog treats.  We prefer that the salmon be wild caught, not a commercially farmed fish.  We also advise paying attention to the country where the oil is made.  Not all countries have strict quality control.  Salmon oil from Canada, Western Europe and Australia are recommended.

How Much Should I Give My Dog?

Our first recommendation is to consult with your veterinarian.  They will consider your dog’s breed, size, weight and overall health.  There are many different charts and suggestions online, but it’s always best to start with your vet.  They can also talk with you about any possible side effects you need to look out for.

Why Do We Use Zesty Paws Salmon Oil?

We are in no way affiliated with this brand or paid for our comments.  We use Zesty Paws because we’ve researched other brands and believe their salmon oil is the best.  He’s why we like it.

• made in an FDA registered facility
•  no additives or anything artificial
• completely pure, comes in liquid form
• easy to add to dog’s food because it’s liquid
• not an offending smellhem

At Eli & Jojo’s, we make two treats that contain Alaskan salmon oil and dogs love both of them.  One is our Peanut Butter, Sweet Potato and Oat.  The other is Pumpkin, Oat & Honey.  Check them out, and if you’re not sure which one your dog would like, you can order free samples here.

Want to read more about the benefits of fish oil to your dog? Here’s an article from the Whole Dog Journal.

?If you’d like to learn more about Zesty Paws, here’s their website.

Stay in Touch with Us

Eli & Jojo’s dog treats are premium treats made with wholesome, real food..  We never use artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, wheat, corn, soy or salt or sugar.  Real Food.  Simple Ingredients.

Comments?  Questions?  We’d love to hear from you.