Fish Oil For Dogs

Fish oil has been medically proven to help keep dogs fit and well. It improves joint mobility, cures ailments like rashes and annoying skin itches and gives your dog a lovely looking and healthy coat.

We humans have long been convinced of the benefits of fish oil as part of a healthy diet. Fish oil has been proven to help our bodies in a variety of ways, including helping to lower cholesterol levels, fighting against heart disease and as an effective treatment for arthritis.

Fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids are needed for the proper function of nearly every cell in your nervous system, brain, eyes, hormones and organs. Since we can’t produce these fats in our bodies, we need to get them from our diet. Quite simply, fish oil can improve the quality of our lives and should be consumed in some form at least 2 or 3 times a week. The question is, is fish oil for dogs just as beneficial to them?

If you are not a dog owner or dog lover, you’ll probably be laughing at such statements and asking questions like; “whatever next?!” Well that’s because not everyone understands how important and how much loved a dog can be to their owners and families. If you’re like me, your dog is treated as part of the family and you’ll do anything to ensure your favorite pooch is safe, healthy and well looked after.

Dog food has come a long way in recent years with manufacturers adding vital minerals and vitamins to the ingredients. This has resulted in an overall improvement of health and a longer life expectancy of dogs.

But as with any food, there’s only so much you can add to it, and while it may contain a healthier balance of nutrients, it invariably lacks the essential fatty acids found in fish oil that can make such a difference to your dog’s health. These fatty acids cannot be reproduced in our or our dog’s bodies, and so must be consumed as food or given as a supplement.

Benefits of Fish Oil for Dogs

Fish oil for dogs is one of the most common supplements used by vets in the treatment of a variety of dog health problems and is now a recognized form of medicine.

Just as fish oil helps us, so it has similar effects on dogs. One of the major problems effecting dogs in later years is joint problems and arthritis. These particular health problems severely reduce the dog’s quality of life and it is very sad to see your dog walking in pain and limping because of it.

But don’t just think that fish oil is only beneficial to older dogs or dogs in need of extra supplements. It can benefit dogs of all ages. Here are some of the major benefits fish oil can have on your dog:

• It is effective at producing a healthy coat with a great looking shine and also helps prevent seborrhea (red, dry flaking skin) and fur loss.

• It can help treat yeast infections in the skin and ears of dogs.

• Helps with cardiovascular problems.

• Good for rheumatoid arthritis.

• Reduces high cholesterol levels.

• Promotes a healthy brain, eyes and other neural organ development in puppies.

We all want our pets to be happy and to provide them with a nutritious diet that will keep them healthy. Giving them fish oil may be one way to help reduce the incidence of certain diseases, especially arthritis and keep your four-legged friend happy and healthy.

The easiest way to give your dog the correct dosage of fish oil is simply to purchase a bottle of fish oil capsules or in a pump-bottle dispenser. You can get them from most pet stores or, as I do, buy them cheaper online. I get mine from Amazon.com which tend to be cheaper than elsewhere and they arrive in just a day or 2.

It probably goes without saying; if you have any concerns regarding your dog’s diet or health make sure you consult with your vet.

I hope you found this article beneficial. If you have any questions, comments or experiences of your own regarding fish oil for dogs, please drop them below.

Peter