Discover the Benefits of Fish Oil For Your Dog

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Fortunately, you don’t have to shell out for an expensive sushi dinner with your dog to get the proper amount of fish oil in his or her diet, since fish oil is probably one of the most prevalent ingredients in dog supplements out there.Vets recommend it as a hip and joint supplement for dogs with arthritis. Fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids have veterinary and scientific backing for its therapeutic claims.

Vets recommend it as a hip and joint supplement for dogs with arthritis. Fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids have veterinary and scientific backing for its therapeutic claims.

We’ve done our best to demystify fish oils for you. Fish oil essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA explained

Fish oil essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA explained

So why does fish oil work? It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). They are long-chain fats, six and five double bonds, which makes them highly unsaturated fats, found abundantly in oily, coldwater fish, with tiny amounts found in algae.

When your vet recommends fish oils, the prescription carefully matches your dog’s weight to the correct EPA amounts.

Both EPA and DHA regulate immunity and inflammation,  but EPA is the more effective, functional fatty acid when it comes to inflammation.

How fish oil EPA works for your dog’s arthritis

Fish oil hip and joint supplements for dogs would only work for arthritis when they have sufficient amounts of EPA. What does EPA do, exactly?

• It’s the precursor to ‘eicosanoids’ (series-3 prostaglandins, series-3 thromboxanes and series-5 leukotrienes), immune system messengers with anti-inflammatory roles
• It’s the enemy of AA (arachidonic acid). This fatty acid is inflammatory. EPA starves the AA by using the enzymes the AA needs to produce inflammatory products, and it crowds out the AA from its residence in every cell. The less AA there is in the cells, the less capacity for the AA to cause inflammation.

This is why it’s important to get your EPA dosage right, and why you have to wait for a short period before you see the benefits of fish oil supplements in your dog. Give the EPA time to produce natural anti-inflammatories and to battle the inflammatories.
The benefits of fish oils for dog arthritis as a hip and joint supplement

Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oils help so much for dogs diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, no matter the age. Younger dogs badly injured in their bones or joints develop arthritis even with surgery. And of course, senior dogs begin to feel their age in their hips and joints sooner or later.

So what benefits do fish oils bring for dog arthritis?

• Mobility increased by leaps and bounds, pun intended. Nothing breaks our hearts more than our dogs limping. Fish oil takes care of that.
• Pain greatly reduced, which means… Less dependence on NSAIDS, which is great because many of these can irritate doggie bowels when used in the long-term and in the doses needed to ease doggie pain
• Decreased joint discomfort.
• Fish oil is great as a healthy food enhancer. If your dog is being finicky switching to a healthier food, the fish oil’s flavor would make him/her wolf it all down

The FAQs:

How much fish oil should I give my dog?
Your dog’s vet should determine the dosage, whether for general health (studies and anecdotal evidence show fish oils help so much in skin and coat health, decreasing shedding, increased energy and appetites) or for supplementary therapy for dog arthritis or atomic dermatitis. She or he will be able to provide the guidance.

As a general rule, dogs with arthritis and senior dogs require higher doses.

You can start your dog on fish oils with 20mg EPA per pound of body weight. Simply multiply your dog’s weight by 20 and you have the efficient amount of EPA you need.

If you want to give your dog the same fish oil you’re taking, you can, but look at the dosage and consult your vet.

My dog has been on fish oil for a while, but nothing has changed.
Many dogs do get their food laced with fish oil, or they eat fish oil caps eagerly. But is the dosage right? Talk to your vet to get the proper dose for your dog. She or he will want to understand the dog’s entire food picture.

What if I overdose?
Fish oil is safer than most supplements. If you overdose, your dog will most likely get diarrhea. Cut back. And remember that like all their food, you have to ease them into it. Start with small amounts and work toward your target dose over a period of weeks.

How long should I wait for it to work?
You will probably see easier movement in your arthritic dog after three to four weeks of taking fish oil at the target dosage.

What about EPA and DHA ratio?
You don’t need to calculate DHA in fish oils. EPA is more functional for dog arthritis. And don’t confuse it with EFA (essential fatty acids) dosages, which some manufacturers put on their labels. Also note that you need omega-3 fatty acids, not omega-6, which are already abundant in most canine (and human) diets.

Final notes

Fish oils have a scientifically proven positive effect on treating dog arthritis. But don’t self-diagnose and don’t play chemist with dosage. Consult your vet.

This is why Veterinary Naturals’ hip and joint supplements are expertly formulated with fish oil in the dosage that provides immediate relief for our four-legged family. Veterinary Naturals also includes holistic ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and hemp too. Most other brands simply don’t measure up. Together with a balanced, grain-free diet, your old dog will soon feel like a puppy again.

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