Fish Oil For Dogs – My Less Than Scientific Experiment

Article by R.D. Hawkins

I have been silent on the subject of fish oil for dogs while I have been doing my own personal experiment. As you may know when possible I try products myself to see if they really work, how they are packed, delivery time, and whether or not the companies I represent live up to their promises. But since fish oil for dogs has not become mainstream, at least as of yet, my approach needed to modified a bit using fish oil for humans instead of a product formulated specially for dogs.

My non scientific study has lasted for 10 weeks giving the larger of my two animals (age 9) 700 mg of DHA/EPA per day. This is about the dosage suggested for a healthy adult and about 200 mg less than that suggested by the American Heart Association for adult with a history of heart and artery disease.

At this point maybe I should back up and explain exactly what DHA and EPA represent. These are what are known as essential fatty acids. They are produced in very small quantities in both dogs and their two legged masters and are acquired through either diet or omega 3 supplements such as fish oil. They are known to help reduce overall inflammation in the body and help with over 60 different condition both physical and mental. The primary natural sources for DHA/EPA are cold water fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel. OK back to my unscientific study of fish oil for dogs.

You are probably thinking that my dog will start looking at the fish aquarium much differently and find a sudden affinity for feathered creatures. Maybe, even join the canine swimming team. Well so far so good. No fish or bird fatalities, and the diving board of the pool doesn’t have Alpo stickers plastered on it, at thus far in my experiment. But what I have seen is a noticeable improvement in energy and possibly joint health. There seem to be a obvious improvement in happy behavior such as tail wagging, running, and wanting in to go outside to play. Less, than scientific to say the least but my pet’s results do seem to jive with what current research studies are telling us about the benefits of pure fish oil supplementation in humans.

One last note. Many experts believe that reducing omega 6 and increasing omega 3 may improve overall health. This may be an important point in the discussion of fish oil for dogs due to the high concentration of omega 6 in red meat and chicken. With dogs eating diets low in omega 3 and high in omega 6 they may be setting themselves up for early onset diseases such as cancer and arthritis. At this point no one really knows but scientists are exploring the possibility.

If you would like to learn more about fish oil for and the benefits fish oil may provide both for pets and their two legged masters click here.