Fish oil benefits for dogs and cats

Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oils offer a range of benefits for your dog or cat’s skin, joints, brain, heart, and overall health.

You’ve probably heard about the health benefits of fish oils. They’re not just good for humans, but also our dogs and cats. In fact, holistic and integrative veterinarians often recommend fish oil supplements for animals. Learn about fish oil benefits for dogs and cats, and what to look for when choosing a supplement.

What makes fish oils so good for dogs and cats?

Fish oils are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids offer a variety of health benefits for both dogs and cats.

Check it out: Omega-3s, including EPA and DHA, help reduce inflammation in the body.

“Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for energy production, the nervous system, heart, skin, joints, brain, and more,” says Jody Griffiths of Standard Process. “Because dogs and cats cannot produce Omega-3s on their own, they must obtain them through their diet.”

“Omega-3 fatty acids support joint health, brain function, and a healthy immune response to seasonal challenges,” adds Joseph Cool of NOW Pets. “Since Omega-3s in pet food degrade over time, they need to be supplemented in your dog or cat’s diet.

“A good Omega-3 supplement from fish oil can help bridge the nutrition gap. It will also support your animal’s health as they age.”

Let’s take a look at what fish oils can do for various parts of your dog or cat’s body.

Skin: Dogs and cats often suffer from skin inflammation, including allergies. This can lead to discomfort such as itchiness, dryness, and hotspots. Fish oils can improve your animal companion’s skin by decreasing inflammation and improving the overall health of her coat.

Kidneys: Studies show that fish oils help cats with kidney disease or failure by lowering blood pressure. Fish oils can also decrease protein loss through the urine and reduce the inflammation that aggravates an animal’s kidneys.

Joints: Omega-3s in fish oil reduce prostaglandin production, a major cause of joint inflammation. You can use fish oil to help combat arthritis in your dog or cat, improving mobility and easing pain.

Brain: Studies show that DHA helps puppies learn faster and retain new skills. Omega-3 fatty acids also slow cognitive decline in senior dogs. Fish oil can help animals that suffer from anxiety, since it has a calming effect on hyperactivity and depression, especially in dogs.

Heart: Fish oil benefits your pet’s cardiovascular system in several ways. It lowers blood pressure and reduces the inflammation associated with heart failure. Fish oil lowers triglyceride levels in the blood, helping animals with inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, or heart disease.

Check it out: Fish oil benefits cats with heart disease by acting as an anticoagulant. It helps prevent blood clots and reduces muscle loss associated with heart failure.

How to choose the best fish oil for your dog or cat

Now that you know the benefits of fish oils for dogs and cats, you need to choose the right supplement for your own animal. Not all products are alike, and you need to be aware of the differences between high and low quality fish oils.

Go for good quality

Like human supplements, pet supplements vary in quality. That’s why you need to do your research. Choose a pure fish oil supplement to avoid heavy metals and other contaminants.

“Fish oils fall into three categories: pet grade, human grade, and pharmaceutical human grade,” says Guillermo Goni of Iceland Pure. “Filtration, deodorization, and winterization distinguish the different grades of fish oil.”

Check it out: Fish oil needs to be in natural triglyceride form, not synthetic form, so your dog or cat can absorb it easily.

Look at the ingredients

High quality supplements usually have minimal ingredients, with the star of the show being fish oil – e.g. from salmon, sardine, anchovy, krill, etc. Other common ingredients include gelatin, water, or glycerin, which are all safe for your dog or cat.

Avoid fish oil supplements that come with synthetic ingredients, colorants, or artificial flavors.

Check it out: Avoid products containing cod liver oil – it has high vitamin A levels that could be toxic for your dog or cat.

Look for details about where the fish oil comes from. Companies like Standard Process, Iceland Pure, and NOW Foods make fish oil supplements from wild-caught fish to ensure higher levels of Omega-3s.

Check the company’s website for information on sourcing and ingredients. If not listed, contact them directly to ask questions.

Consider what form the supplement comes in

Both dogs and cats can be picky, which is why you need to find a form of fish oil supplement they’ll take regularly.

Softgels can be given directly to your dog or cat or opened and poured over their food.
Pure oil can be poured by dose over food or treats.

There are many fish oil benefits for dogs and cats. A fish oil supplement makes a great addition to your animal’s diet, no matter what her age. Be sure to choose a pure, high quality product and watch it improve your dog or cat’s well-being.

When should you start giving your dog or cat fish oils?

“Dogs and cats can start taking fish oil at a young age,” says Joseph. In puppies and kittens, the Omega-3s in fish oil help support the joints and brain development.

Fish oils benefit dogs and cats at any age, so if your animal companion is already an adult, you can still start him on a supplement for daily health maintenance. Follow the company’s dosage instructions.