Giving your dog fish oils as part of their diet is very important.
These oils can help your canine stay healthy by supporting their heart health, as well as relieve allergies and strengthen the immune system.
Not only that, but fish oils will help relieve flaky or itchy skin, and promote a beautifully silky coat.
The problem is – which fish oil should you give to your dog?
There are so many fish oils out there, and how are you supposed to know which is best?
It can be stressful to scroll through the internet and forums in search of the fish oil that is right for your dog.
It takes a lot of time and commitment, and if we’re being honest – time isn’t something we always have.
To help with that, we’ve put together a list of fish oils that are great choices for your canine companion.
For some added help, you can find a buyer’s guide and a FAQ section below the list, that way you can make an informed decision.
Looking for the right product doesn’t have to be difficult, and here, it’s easier than ever.
Zesty Paws Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
This Zesty Paws fish oil is made from wild Alaskan salmon oil.
Wild salmon are known to generally contain higher levels of fatty acids like Omega 3 than farmed fish.
This product comes in a liquid form with a pump, so measuring out the right amount of oil for your pet is quick and easy.
The mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) act as a preservative to the oil, so the product will last anywhere from 9-10 months when refrigerated after opening.
The fish oils in this product will help your cat or dog’s skin, as well as their immunity and coat.
Many dog owners reported that after beginning to use this product, their pet’s health improved a lot, and long-term conditions got better.
However, a few buyers did report issues with their pets consuming the product.
In our experiencing using this product, we found that the Omega 3 and fatty acids were extremely beneficial to both cats and dogs.
Their coats improved, as did their skin, and they did not seem to have a problem consuming the oil mixed in with their food as long as it was kept refrigerated.
You can also purchase this product on the Zesty Paws website, Target, and Entirely Pets.
Vital Pet Life Alaskan Wild Salmon Oil
The Vital Pet Life salmon oil contains only 4% Omega 6, which is thought to be linked to inflammation and heart disease.
Compared to other brads which have 7% Omega 6 oils, Vital Pet Life does well to reduce potentially harmful ingredients.
The non-GMO and naturally sourced ingredients in this product mean that there is no need to worry about preservatives and unhealthy additives.
A pump and flip-cap are included in this purchase, so it is super easy to measure out the correct amount of oil for your pet.
This all natural salmon oil is made from Alaskan wild salmon, which has higher levels of Omega 3 than farm fish.
This makes them a great choice for pet health.
The health of your pet is likely to drastically improve upon incorporating this oil into their diet in healthy amounts.
Most dog owners who bought this product found that the quality of their pet’s fur improved, and itchiness reduced after adding this product to their diet.
However, a minority of people claimed that this oil made their pets very sick and caused health problems which as vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea.
In our experience using this product, we found that the oil did not cause an issue in our pets as long as it was refrigerated.
After several months of using this product without a problem, the quality of fur greatly improved, so the oil seems to work well.
You can also purchase this product on the Vital Pet Life website, the Chewy site, and Walmart.
PetHonesty Salmon SkinHealth Chews
This PetHonesty natural salmon oil chew is a great choice if you would prefer to feed your dog treats than mix oil into their food.
These chews contain a number of natural ingredients, including dried and ground carrot, sweet potato, and vitamin E extract.
There are a number of added ingredients, such as flaxseed, coconut glycerin, microcrystalline cellulose powder, and rosemary extract.
These products can be safe for animals in measured doses, and make for delicious treats that your dog will look forward to every day.
Small dogs are limited to one chew a day, medium dogs get two, and larger dogs have three, so depending on the size of your dog, these treats can last anywhere from one and three months.
Your dog’s skin and for will thank you for wild salmon treats, and itching will likely become a thing of the past.
Most buyers left reviews claiming that their dogs loved these treats and experienced no side effects from them.
However, there were a few people to said that these treats caused diarrhea and discomfort to their dogs.
Some buyers even claimed that their pets did not want these treats, but this is a small minority.
In our experience using this product, we found that it caused no problems in pets, though it is understood that come ingredients such as flaxseed could be problematic.
Our dogs enjoyed these treats, but their breath did smell unpleasant from the fish oil.
You can also purchase this product on the Pet Honesty website with different deals, as well as on the Chewy website.
Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Soft Gels
These Nordic soft gels come in a 180 count, but larger and smaller counts can be found on other websites.
These tablets contain naturally occurring vitamin E (mixed tocopherol), and use sardine and anchovy oils instead of salmon.
The soft gel form makes these easy to ingest and absorb, so your pet can enjoy itch-free skin and a silky coat.
Any dog over 20-lbs can enjoy this product safely.
This purchase will last a long time, and most dogs will easily be able to swallow them.
The majority of dog owners left reviews claiming that this product worked well and helped their animal’s skin and coat improve.
However, a minority of pet parents claimed that their dogs had problems ingesting the tablet due to their size and the smell of the capsules were unpleasant.
In our experience using this product, we found that it worked well for our pets and did as claimed.
The smell, while unpleasant, is expected as fish oils naturally have an odor.
It may be easier for larger dogs to ingest these capsules, but smaller dogs may struggle to get the pills down.
To work around this, you can pour the oil onto something more manageable, or try and hide the product in a treat your dog loves.
You can also purchase this product on the Nordic website at different sizes, as well as Walmart and Vitamin Shop.
Amazing Omega 3 Chews
The Amazing Nutritionals Omega 3 chews comes in a pack of 120 chews and come in two delicious flavors for your canine companion.
With a choice between liver and salmon, your dog will be spoiled for choice.
These can last for up to four months, depending on the size of your pet.
You don’t have to worry about unnecessary additives or unhealthy ingredients as everything put into this product are 100% natural.
If you aren’t convinced, the brand is so confident in their product that you can get your money back if you aren’t satisfied with it.
Make your pet’s coat shine and get rid of the troublesome itch with these flavorful treats.
The majority of pet parents found that these chews improved the condition of their pet’s skin and coat within a few weeks of daily feeding.
However, a few customers did find that the amount of Omega 3 in these tablets were not enough to make a difference to their pets.
In our experience using this product, we found that it worked well to promote shiny fur and healthy skin.
There was no fishy smell, and our dogs enjoyed both available flavors.
It would have been good if there was added vitamin E to help with the immune system, but it is easy enough to get supplements separately.
You can also purchase this product on the Chewy website.
What To Look For In Fish Oil For Dogs
This section is here to help you think about a few key things you might want to consider when buying the perfect fish oil for your dog.
Some of these points might not matter to you, but it is always worth knowing what you should look out for in products.
Type Of Fish Oil
You may want to consider what type of fish you feed to your pet.
Although fish oils are all safe for dogs and an important part of their diet, some fish is more responsibly sourced than others.
Additionally, there is a difference in Omega 3 levels in fish like wild salmon and farmed salmon.
Wild salmon tend to have higher levels of Omega 3 because of their diets, and the reason you feed fish oil to your dog is because of these oils.
Similarly, depending on where the salmon is sourced from, there might be over fishing.
While this is personal choice, it is always good to know where the fish comes from.
If you can reduce the use of fish in areas that have been negatively impacted because of commercial use, it will be better for the environment.
Oil Format
This point will depend on your dog. Some dogs do well with liquid formats, while others might prefer chews or even pills.
You will need to figure out what your dog prefers, and get a product that fits with that.
If you can successfully feed your dog chews or pills, stick with it.
Many dogs do not like oil being added to their food as it affects the smell and taste.
For some dogs, getting chews is the best option, as they are seen as treats. Every dog loves treats, so it’s a win-win.
Added Ingredients
Finally, added ingredients could play a part in your choice of fish oil for your dog.
Some dogs might have allergies or sensitivities to some ingredients, and it is up to you to find out about it.
Always read the ingredients label carefully to make sure that everything the product contains is safe for your particular dog.
If your dog begins to show signs of distress, stop feeding your dog the product immediately.
Sometimes a dog will react to various ingredients and may vomit or experience diarrhea and lethargy.
Keep an eye on your dog when you start feeding them anything new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Fish Oils Good For Dogs?
Fish oils are very good for dogs.
Adding fish oils to your dog’s diet will help keep their heart healthy, as well as help with flaky or itchy skin.
One of the most noticeable differences you can expect to see when adding fish oil to your dog’s diet is their silky smooth coat.
Are Any Fish Oils Bad For Dogs?
As long as the fish oil is administered in the recommended doses, they are safe and healthy for dogs.
Some fish oils are more concentrated, which is why it is very important to read the instruction label carefully before feeding your dog any fish oil.
Smaller dogs will need less Omega 3 in their diet, and too much fish oil can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, a fishy breath, flaky and itchy skin, an oily coat, and slower healing of wounds.
Like anything, too much fish oil can have detrimental effects on your dog.
Never go over the limit, and stick to the dosage recommendations.
If your dog exhibits signs of the above symptoms, discontinue use of the oil.
