Salmon oil for dogs benefits, dosage, where to buy, best product

The importance of omega 3 fatty acids in humans and pets has long been recognized. Salmon oil is one of the best and most popular sources of omega 3 fatty acids, along with krill and sea algae oils. This brings us to the the question, “Is salmon oil good for dogs or bad?” Well, salmon oil is not just good for dogs, it is recommended. Here is more on using salmon oil for dogs’ health and well-being.

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Benefits of Salmon Oil for Dogs – Why Salmon Oil is good for Dogs

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Salmon oil benefits for dogs are majorly hinged on its abundance of the long chain EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) omega 3 fatty acids. Otherwise known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), omega 3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids since they cannot be synthesized by the body. Of all the omega 3 acids, EPA and DHA are the most important fatty acids for dogs, having been have been shown to have the highest health benefits.

Although the dog’s body can convert a small amount of ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid) omega-3 fatty acid (from sources such as flaxseeds, walnuts, vegetable oils and dark leafy vegetables e.g. spinach, etc.) into EPA and DHA, the conversion is very inefficient. It is thus imperative for your dog to obtain additional EPA and DHA from other sources and salmon oil supplement is a great way to go about it.

Below are some of the most important benefits of salmon Oil for Dogs:

Salmon Oil Improves the Appearance of a Dog’s Coat and Skin

The omega 3 fatty acids in salmon oil helps to improve your dog diet’s oil, leading to a softer, shiner coat and skin. It also helps to combat dry skin in dogs as well as the itching associated with it.

It Helps to Reduce Shedding and Dandruff

Another reason to use salmon oil for dogs is its ability to control shedding of dead skin cells and fur. According to PupppyWire.com, salmon oil helps to reduce inflammation at the cellular level with then lessen the rate of fur shedding.

Salmon Oil Helps to Improve and Heal Dog Joint Problems e.g. Arthritis

You will see many resources recommending salmon oil for dog arthritis and there is a good reason for that.

Salmon oil helps to heal inflammation in joints and other symptoms associated with arthritis including tenderness, pain and stiffness. Omega-3 fatty acids hinder inflammatory responses while omega-6 fatty acids promote them.

By reducing joint inflammation, salmon oil not only helps to cure arthritis but also prevent its occurrence in the first place.

Other than joint problems due to arthritis, salmon oil can relieve the joint discomfort associated with the natural ageing process.

Salmon Oil Reduces the Risk of Kidney Disease

According to Dr. Lisa of doctor-recommended-stress-relief.com, giving the omega-3 rich salmon oil to your dog helps to balance the ratio of omega 3 to omega-6 in your dog’s body. This then helps to lower your dog’s risk of kidney problems. This is particularly important given the fact that most commercially available dog foods contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids.

Salmon Oil Helps to Treat Canine Allergies

For a long time, vets have recommended using salmon oil for dogs with canine allergies. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, salmon oil helps to control the inflammation typical of allergy-related canine conditions.

Other benefits of Salmon Oil for Dogs

Here are more benefits of salmon oil fatty acid supplements for dogs:

• Salmon oil helps with brain and bone development in puppies and younger dogs.
• It can also help to keep the brain sharp in older dogs.
• Salmon oil helps to boost your dog’s immune system, in turn making it more capable of fighting off infections such as kennel cough.
• Salmon oil helps to prevent cancer as well as slow down the development of cancerous cells when it occurs while reducing muscle wastage (cachexia) associated with it.
• Salmon oil helps to reduce blood pressure and the accumulation of triglycerides in the blood.

As you can see, the health benefits of salmon oil for dogs are far reaching.

Should You Use Salmon Oil For Puppies

The DHA omega-3 fatty acid in salmon oil and other fish oils such as tuna, sardine, and mackerel has been shown to promote brain development in fetus as well as puppies. Giving salmon oil to your puppy is thus beneficial. Some dog food companies in fact already add salmon oil to their puppy dog food formulas.

Best Salmon Oil for Dogs

You should always look for wild Alaskan salmon oil for dogs but that is just part of the equation. As with most products, salmon oil is not created equally.

If highly processed, especially at high temperature, salmon oil can lose its molecular structure and become oxidized, not to mention carry impurities such as saturated acids. Other than the processing mechanism used, you will want to ensure that the salmon oil is 100% pure.

With so many positive reviews (as of this date), Grizzly Salmon Oil Dog Food Supplement is the best bet for the best salmon oil for dogs. This all natural product is extracted from wild Alaskan salmon fish by cold pressing method to ensure minimal distortion of the oil’s natural fatty acids mix. This also ensures retention of naturally occurring vitamin E to protect the oil’s lifespan.

Native Alaskans have recognized and made use of the health benefits of salmon for centuries to boost their immunities and prevent ad control various medical conditions.

Grizzly Salmon Oil Dog Food Supplement has over 15 varieties of omega 3, omega-6, and Arachidonic fatty acids. It also contains Rosemary extracts to keep the natural balance of the oil and prolong the lifespan.

Other fatty acid supplements for dogs in the wild Alaskan salmon oil category to look out for if still not sure Grizzly Salmon oil is the right choice for you include Alaska Naturals and Zesty Paws. NuLife Natural Pet Health and Furever Friendz salmon oil capsules (softgels) may also suffice it you want to go the capsules route.

Where to Buy Salmon Oil for Dogs

Regards the best places to get high quality, pure salmon oil for dogs, Amazon, Walmart, and Petco are all great starting points. Your local dog supplies store may also have it in stock. Just make sure that you look around to get the best prices.

Salmon Oil for Dogs Side Effects

Salmon oil is a very healthiest oils for dogs but it is not without its limitations. Even good salmon oil brands such as Grizzly may be associated with adverse side effects. In particular, you should be aware of the following potential side effects:

• Bad breath: When used over a long period of time, salmon oil can trigger bad breath in dogs. Cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly will help.
• Weight gain: Your dog may embark on a weight gain projectile after you start giving it salmon oil. If that happens, help your dog lose weight with a combination of exercises and diet control.
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Stomach ache

Each dog will respond to salmon oil differently. So don’t be surprised if your dog shows none or all of these side effects. In worst case scenarios, withdraw salmon oil form your dog’s diet and instead try other omega-3 fatty acid sources such as cod liver oil, sea algae, and krill oil among others.

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How Much Salmon Oil for Dogs

Very high amounts of salmon oil can make your pooch add weight dramatically along with promote inflammation and reduce the blood’s clotting abilities. Very low amounts on the other hand will beat the purpose of giving salmon oil supplements to dogs.

Coming with a specific salmon oil dosage for dogs is tricky because different salmon oils come with different composition depending on factors such as locations where the salmon was obtained (wild Alaskan salmon for example has relatively higher EPA and DHA compositions by percentage), extraction method applied, storage methods used, etc.

The Whole Dog Journal Recommends a dosage of 100-150mg of EPA and DHA per day per 10 pounds of body weight. This applies to healthy dogs only. For dogs with health complications, you may raise this up to 300mg per 10 pounds of body weight.

Different manufacturers of salmon oil for dogs will give different directions depending on the specifications of their product.

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