Fish oil, for example oil from farmed salmon, contains several different omega 3 fatty acids. Vegetable oils such as flaxseed oil also contain omega 3, but they are different types. In fish oil, both EPA and DHA are present and these two substances are both very important for your dog. This has been demonstrated by a series of scientific studies.

Heart and vascular diseases

You have probably heard that fish is good for heart and vascular diseases. This is not only true for humans, but also for dogs. Fish oil has a proven effect on heart arrhythmia. Dogs with heart failure who received omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil in a study had less muscle loss in the heart, thus maintaining a better heart function. In a study with boxers, it became clear that heart arrhythmias improved with fish oil, but not with flaxseed oil.

Osteoarthritis and joint problems

Fish oil in small amounts gives dogs a better immune response and allows the body to combat inflammation more effectively. This has been shown in joint inflammation conditions such as osteoarthritis. Research has shown that a supplement of fish oil in the diet of dogs with joint inflammation after 63 days showed significantly more EPA and DHA in the blood plasma and joint fluid. More joint fluid was produced, resulting in dogs with more flexible joints and less pain. The biomarker for inflammation had also decreased significantly. Another study showed that dogs receiving omega-3 in their food in the long term were able to get up more easily, play more actively, and walk more, compared to dogs not receiving this addition. In another study, the dogs had more weight-bearing capacity and walked less lame by adding fish oil to their diet. Fish oil can help reduce pain and inflammation in cases of joint issues.

Skin and coat

Adding healthy fats to your dog's diet helps improve skin and coat health and fight skin inflammation. Your dog will have a shinier coat and minor wounds will heal faster. The fatty acid EPA is responsible for this. Plant-based oils have not shown any effect on skin health.

Kidneys

Fish oil also helps maintain normal kidney function in dogs. Dogs can sometimes have problems with urination (too much or too little) or with kidney stones. The omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil can support your dog in these cases. Have your veterinarian perform a blood and urine test if you suspect kidney problems. This can often prevent worse problems, possibly with a special diet.

Development and behavior

The effect on the development of puppies and young dogs has also been studied. The fatty acid DHA is crucial for the development of the nervous system. Fish oil is a better alternative for this than, for example, flaxseed oil. Additionally, this oil has a beneficial impact on the vision development of young dogs. Research into dog behavior also shows that aggressive dogs often have lower levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their blood. A supplement may also have a positive effect on behavior.

Fish oil, not flaxseed oil!

For the optimal effect of omega 3 fatty acids, it is important to add not only ALA fatty acids but also EPA and DLA fatty acids to the diet. ALA can be converted into EPA in the body, but this conversion is often quite inefficient. It has been discovered that fish oil works much better than flaxseed oil for several conditions. Therefore, researchers recommend using fish oil as a supplement for dogs with ailments such as arthritis and other immune diseases. Stick to the recommended dose of fish oil, as a very high dose of fat in general can have negative effects on the pancreas and the vitamin E level in the blood. Additionally, be careful with fish oil from wild-caught fish, as it often contains higher levels of contaminants such as PCBs and heavy metals compared to oil from farmed fish. Oil from farmed salmon is highly suitable as a supplement for dogs due to the beneficial amounts of EPA and DLA.

Sources:

Bauer, J. E. (2007). Responses of dogs to dietary omega-3 fatty acids. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 231(11), 1657-1661. Retrieved Aug 25, 2023, from source

Lenox, C.E. and Bauer, J.E. (2013). Potential Adverse Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dogs and Cats. J Vet Intern Med, 27: 217-226. source

Roush, J. K., Dodd, C. E., Fritsch, D. A., Allen, T. A., Jewell, D. E., Schoenherr, W. D., Richardson, D. C., Leventhal, P. S., & Hahn, K. A. (2010). Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 236(1), 59-66. Retrieved Aug 25, 2023, from source

Re, S., Zanoletti, M. & Emanuele, E. Aggressive dogs are characterized by low omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status. Vet Res Commun 32, 225–230 (2008). source

Roush, J. K., Cross, A. R., Renberg, W. C., Dodd, C. E., Sixby, K. A., Fritsch, D. A., Allen, T. A., Jewell, D. E., Richardson, D. C., Leventhal, P. S., & Hahn, K. A. (2010). Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 236(1), 67-73. Retrieved Aug 25, 2023, from source

Smith, C.E., Freeman, L.M., Rush, J.E., Cunningham, S.M. and Biourge, V. (2007). Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Boxer Dogs with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 21: 265-273. source