Omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in enhancing the well-being of canine companions, and fish oil is a good source of these essential acids. Enriched with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and ALA (alpha-lipoic acid), fish oil contributes to reducing inflammation, alleviating itchy skin, and promoting overall heart health in pets, among other significant health benefits.
If you've considered adding fish oil to your dog's food, you may be curious about the best way to incorporate it into their diet. Let's take a closer look at the various forms of fish oil available and the proper methods for administering them to your furry friend.
Where Can Dogs Get Fish Oil?
The most common sources of fish oil for dogs include capsules or pills, cooked fish, and liquid and chewable supplements.
- Fish oil capsules or pills are ingested, instantly giving your canine their dose of the supplement.
- Cooked fish, including salmon, cod, anchovies, and sardines, is also a great way of giving fish oil to dogs. We recommend buying fish with shorter lifespans. Tuna, swordfish, and other longer-living fish contain more heavy metals that can negatively affect your canine’s health.
- You can also have your pet fish consume oil through a liquid supplement. If you choose this source of fish oil, be sure to measure the recommended amount, and your canine should take that dosage.
- Chewable fish oil supplements come in various formulations, designed to cater to different preferences. Whether in treat-like chews or other chewable formats, they aim to combine nutritional benefits with a tasty experience.
Alternatively, you can buy over-the-counter fish oil supplements with the necessary ingredients for your canine. Your options include natural triglyceride, ethyl ester, and synthetic triglyceride oil.
How Much Fish Oil Should I Give to My Canine?
After choosing your dog’s source of fish oil, you must give them the right dosage.
Ideally, canines should consume 75 to 100 milligrams/kilograms of EPA/DHA daily. Experts from the Canine Arthritis Resource and Education (CARE) website recommend that dogs be given around 100 mg/kg of EPA/DHA, with the maximum daily dose at 310(kg)¾.
Remember that your pet’s daily omega-3 intake depends on their weight, age, size, nutritional needs, and health condition. If your canine is diagnosed with a pre-existing condition, giving them fish oil isn’t advisable.
How Do I Determine the Right Omega-3 Dosage for My Dog?
You’ll need your pet’s body weight in kilograms (kg) to determine their daily omega-3 dosage, which you can get by dividing their weight in pounds (lb) by 2.2.
Here’s how CARE determined a 50-lb canine’s daily omega-3 intake:
50 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 22.7 kg
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22.7 kg × 100 mg/kg = 2,270 mg (recommended daily fish oil dosage for a 50-lb dog)
As for the maximum dose, 50-lb canines should take around 3,200 mg of omega-3 a day.
CARE has also provided dog owners with dosing charts by weight, which you can see below.
Recommended Omega-3 Dosing for Dogs Weighing 5-50 lbs
|
Body Weight (lbs) |
Body Weight (kg) |
Recommended Dosage (100 mg/kg) |
Maximum Daily Dose |
|
5 |
2.3 |
230 mg |
574 mg |
|
10 |
4.5 |
450 mg |
965 mg |
|
15 |
6.8 |
680 mg |
1,308 mg |
|
20 |
9.1 |
910 mg |
1,623 mg |
|
25 |
11.4 |
1,140 mg |
1,919 mg |
|
30 |
13.6 |
1,360 mg |
2,200 mg |
|
35 |
15.9 |
1,590 mg |
2,469 mg |
|
40 |
18.2 |
1,820 mg |
2,730 mg |
|
45 |
20.5 |
2,050 mg |
2,982 mg |
|
50 |
22.7 |
2,270 mg |
3,227 mg |
Recommended Omega-3 Dosing for Dogs Weighing 50-100 lbs
|
Body Weight (lbs) |
Body Weight (kg) |
Recommended Dosage (100 mg/kg) |
Maximum Daily Dose |
|
50 |
22.7 |
2,270 mg |
3,227 mg |
|
55 |
25 |
2,500 mg |
3,466 mg |
|
60 |
27.3 |
2,730 mg |
3,700 mg |
|
65 |
29.5 |
2,950 mg |
3,924 mg |
|
70 |
31.8 |
3,180 mg |
4,153 mg |
|
75 |
34.1 |
3,410 mg |
4,374 mg |
|
80 |
36.4 |
3,640 mg |
4,590 mg |
|
85 |
38.6 |
3,860 mg |
4,804 mg |
|
90 |
41 |
4,100 mg |
5,014 mg |
|
95 |
43.2 |
4,320 mg |
5,222 mg |
|
100 |
45.5 |
4,550 mg |
5,427 mg |
Recommended Omega-3 Dosing for Dogs Weighing 100-150 lbs
|
Body Weight (lbs) |
Body Weight (kg) |
Recommended Dosage (100 mg/kg) |
Maximum Daily Dose |
|
100 |
45.5 |
4,550 mg |
5,427 mg |
|
105 |
47.7 |
4,770 mg |
5,629 mg |
|
110 |
50 |
5,000 mg |
5,829 mg |
|
115 |
52.3 |
5,230 mg |
6,027 mg |
|
120 |
54.5 |
5,450 mg |
6,222 mg |
|
125 |
56.8 |
5,680 mg |
6,415 mg |
|
130 |
59.1 |
5,910 mg |
6,607 mg |
|
135 |
61.3 |
6,130 mg |
6,797 mg |
|
140 |
63.6 |
6,360 mg |
6,985 mg |
|
145 |
65.9 |
6,590 mg |
7,171 mg |
|
150 |
68.2 |
6,820 mg |
7,356 mg |
How Much Natural Fish Oil Should I Give to My Pet?
If you want to add natural fish oil to your canine’s diet, CARE’s dosing recommendations below may help you determine their daily intake.
Will My Pet Experience Side Effects From Taking Fish Oil?
Your pet should experience minimal side effects when they consume the right dosage of fish oil. If your canine gets the supplement from dog food with fish meal or omega-3, consider adjusting their intake. You’ll want to ensure your dog takes the proper amount of fish oil, though.
Insufficient or excessive doses of the supplement may cause vomiting, diarrhea, changes in platelet and immune function, slow healing of wounds, and weight gain. Additionally, your pet may feel drowsy, develop fishy-smelling breath or skin, feel extremely itchy, or have an oily coat and flaking skin from consuming fish oil.
Keep Your Canine Healthy with Sufficient Amounts of Fish Oil
Whether it’s in capsules, cooked fish, or liquid or chewable form, fish oil can help your pet stay healthy. It is important to learn how to give this supplement to dogs and how much of it they should take. Proper dosage ensures your canine enjoys the health benefits of fish oil to the fullest.
Need more expert tips on dog health and nutrition? Visit the Stryde blog today.