Top 5 benefits of salmon oil for your dog

Dr. Deborah Shores
Published on June 15, 2017

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Wading through the different health supplements for your dog can be difficult, especially when many ingredients are very similar.  One of the most confusing ingredients on the market is “fish oil.”  Fish oil can be a combination of different oils - sourced from cod-liver oil, sardines, salmon, mackerel, etc. Some fish oils also include krill oil. 

 

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If you want optimal traceability and transparency when it comes to your dog’s health supplement – stick to very specific products.

Salmon oil is one of the better ones out there, and here’s why:

 

 

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5. Minimal to no “fishy” smell

Salmon oil has far less of a “fishy” taste and smell compared to fish oil. When placed in supplements, it is almost undetectable (to humans at least).  Some picky eaters don’t prefer the fish smell or taste – so the lighter the smell, the better!  Dog foods that contain the health benefits of oily fish often use fish meal, which definitely can have an off-pudding smell and can contribute to foul smelling breath and feces.

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4. Low Vitamin A

Many fish oils on the market contain cod liver oil. Cod liver oil has its benefits for health, but it can also contain a high level of Vitamin A.  This fat-soluble vitamin, while essential for good health, can be over-dosed and cause toxicity. Salmon oil is a low-Vitamin A alternative that has all the ‘good stuff’ in it (and more), that makes it a better option than plain fish oil.

 

3. No Salmon Poisoning Disease

No sushi for you!  Not only is feeding ‘sushi grade’ raw salmon to dogs economically taxing, it can be dangerous too. Salmon poisoning is rare, but can occur if your dog eats raw or undercooked salmon. The disease is caused by a parasite (Neorickettsia helminthoeca) that lives in the flesh of the salmon. Using salmon oil eliminates the risk of your dog being exposed.

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2. High Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Salmon oil contains a high level of omega-3 fatty acids. The two most important are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).   The NIH reports that 85g of salmon flesh yields approximately 1.5g of omega-3 fatty acids.1 Dogs use both extremely well in their bodies for a variety of functions.

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1. Anti-inflammatory Prowess

These “long-chain” omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for having multiple health benefits.  They have been shown in numerous species to improve2,3:

  • Skin Health
  • Heart Health
  • Brain-Nervous System Function
  • Kidney Function
  • Immune System Support
  • Joint Function
  • Improves learning ability

One of the reasons that omega-3’s help the body to function so well is because it puts a damper on inflammation. Pain relief is one of the ways that we know that omega-3’s curb inflammation.

But specifically, how do omega-3’s decrease inflammation?  Science is still unraveling that mystery, but a recent study has discovered a piece of the puzzle.  There are many, many chemical reactions that occur, triggers and maintains inflammation in the body. Inflammation has a good purpose, but it can get out of hand over time.

Trying to dampen some of these ‘chemical mediators’ can make a difference in your dog’s health and quality of life. One of these mediators is called an ‘oxylipin’ – a fatty acid that is known as a “pro-inflammatory” molecule. A 2011 diet trial in humans showed a 15% decrease in these oxylipins when participants took a daily fish-based omega-3 supplement, compared to others taking placebo corn oil.4

The Proof Is In the Pudding

Most dogs with mild to moderate arthritis show improvement within 6-8 weeks of taking omega-3-rich health supplements as a part of their pain control plan.2 Some puppy parents don’t notice that it has been helping until the supplement is stopped suddenly!  It is well worth the extra effort to seek out transparent, simple ingredients that can boost your dog’s health for a lifetime.

 

 

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The most natural source of omega fatty acids for your dog you're not using:

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Resources

  1. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/
  2. Roush JK,et al. Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010;236(1):67–73.
  3. Bauer JE. Therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals.J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011;239(11):1441–1451.
  4. Ziykovic, A., et al., Dietary omega-3 fatty acids aid in the modulation of inflammation and metabolic health. Calif Agric (Berkeley). 2011 July-September; 65(3):106-111.

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Dr. Deborah Shores
Dr. Deborah Shores is a graduate of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She has many years of experience working in animal hospitals and clinics from Virginia to South Carolina, treating mainly dogs and cats. She has a special interest in nutrition and holistic veterinary medicine.

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