Health Benefits Of Salmon Oil For Dogs
With numerous supplements available for your dog, finding the perfect supplement can be difficult. While these supplements have different ingredients, one confusing ingredient isย fish oil. Fish oil could be a mixture of various oils gotten from salmon, sardines, cod-liver oil, mackerel, etc. If your goal is to get an optimal transparency and traceability regarding the health supplement of your dog, you need to stick to a specific product.ย Salmon oilย is a preferable choice to depend on.
What is Salmon Oil?
Salmon oilย is an incredible supplement that is beneficial to human beings as well as dogs. However, before recommending it for your dog, you need to know certain things about salmon oil concerning your dogโs health. You can get salmon oil from salmon, which is taken as a supplement due to its rich content in Omega-3s. It has high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). These two acids are essential and have great benefits when used as a supplement in most diets. It is also beneficial for our four-legged friends (dogs). Your dog can reap some health benefits through salmon oil. Just as a doctor may recommend consuming aย fish oilย supplement, your dog also needs salmon oil because it helps in improving their overall health.
Health benefits of Salmon oil for dogs
We atย Alpha Pawย believe that your dog deserves the best dog supplement. Ourย Wild Alaskan Salmon Oilย can give you the best supplement for your dogs. However, we will explain some benefits of salmon oil for your dogs. From their bones to their brains, salmon oil, which has omega-3s, can cure different conditions. Giving your dog this supplement can help to:
- Fights Inflammationย โ Omega-3s content in salmon oil helps in reducing inflammation via the dogโs body from itchy skin and gastritis to painful and inflamed joints
- Cure or prevent skin allergiesย โ Salmon oil is the answer to the cries of different dog breeds such as Jack Russellโs and Golden Retrievers because they are prone to allergies and skin conditions. However, the supplement helps in building a strong cell barrier, which prevents reactions when they come in contain with allergens such as grass, pollen, or dust.
- Maintains shiny and soft coatsย โ Salmon oil is helpful in balancing skin moisture. It furthers helps in building a healthy skin, which makes shiny and soft coats.
- Helps in the growth and maintenance of cognitive functionย โ This benefit is true for all dogs irrespective of their age. However, for puppies, it plays a significant role in brain development.
- Improves overall health conditionย โ Both acids in Omega-3s helps in maintaining their liver, kidney, and heart function. From the tip of their nose to the tail, the oil supports the overall health condition of dogs.
- Fights against cancerย โ Salmon oil according to latest research helps in preventing cancer, including slowing down the growth of cancer cell as soon as it starts spreading. It definitely helps with situations triggered by cancer like cachexia.
- Sustain a strong immune systemย โ Through the prevention of conditions such as inflammation and allergies, your dog doesnโt need to waste energy fighting against such conditions.
Is Omega-3s essential for Dogs?
Most dog foods contain a high level of omega-6 with less amount of omega-3s. In as much as Omega-6 contains health benefits for dogs, if the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 is off, then inflammation may occur. Nevertheless, the current consensus is that the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 should between 5:1 and 10:1. If this ratio is lower, your dog risks developing conditions associated with omega-3 insufficiency.
Side effects of Salmon Oil for Dogs
While we have listed the tremendous benefits ofย salmon oilย for your dog, it is important to note that not all dogs react well to it. Therefore, it is crucial to note that some dogs have side effects, which you must be aware. Without further ado, let us look at these side effects.
- Bad breath (this can be resolved by ensuring you clean their teeth frequently)
- Weight gain (this is manageable to a certain extent by regular exercise)
- Diarrhea and loose stool
Is Fish Oil and Salmon Oil for Dogs the same?
The fact that both fish oil and salmon oil has the essential fatty acids (DHA and EPA) isnโt sufficient to justify that they are the same. For instance, salmon oil is produced from some parts of salmon and is cold pressed under low temperatures. This ensures that the oil extracted from it sustains a high concentration of fatty acids.
On the other hand, the fish oil made for the consumption of pets are produced from different marine animals like anchovies, herring, krill, mackerel, and sardines. At times, some manufacturers supplement the fish oil with oil like evening primrose, wheat germ, and sunflower. Unlike the salmon oil that is cold pressed, the fish oil is boiled. During the boiling of the fish oil, key essential fatty acids get lost. This results in a lower concentration of omega-3s whereas the salmon oil has a high concentration.
How to administer salmon oil to dogs
You can addย Alpha Paw Wild Alaskan Salmon Oilย directly to your dogโs food or use ourย Alpha Paw Omega Chewsย as a treat. Please ensure to check the expiration date and adhere to the recommended dosage.