Last updated: July 7, 2011

The Truth About Fish Oil For Dogs

Fish oil for dogs and Omega-3 supplements are a healthy trend in the dog and pet industry right now. The truth is, fish oil for dogs and Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential supplement for dog health and has reached billion dollar proportions in the pet nutrition and dog food industry. With numbers like these, its no doubt that many brands are jumping on the "gravy-train" to get a piece of these fish oil dollars. It seems that a host of brands are adding fish oil to their dog food and treats. In fact, new fish oil brands and Omega-3 treats for dogs are showing up all the time. We wanted to know:

• Which fish oil brands can we trust?
• What should we look for in a supplement for our dogs?
• Which is better, fish oil liquid, capsules, treats, or dog food with fish oil?
• What about flaxseed oil vs fish oil for dog omega-3 supplements?

Safety Concerns... Now Read This:

Not all fish oil brands are alike. Many cheaper brands of fish oil and Omega-3 supplements for dogs are not third party tested for contaminants, such as, mercury, PCBs, or other cancer causing agents. Even in the human nutrition industry as recently as March of 2010, several major brands of fish oil (Omega 3 supplements) were found to have contaminants by an independent third-party test. If several major brands in the human nutrition industry were found to be contaminated, what then of the fish oil offered to dogs in a much less regulated industry?

What is the best fish oil for dogs?

While the benefits of fish oil for dogs are vast, choosing the right fish oil is the difference between giving your dog the benefits of fish oil and a complete mystery. Here is what we look for when selecting the best fish oil for dogs:

• Know the type of fish your oil is made from.
  Salmon, tuna, sardines and anchovies are the richest sources, however, smaller sources, such as sardines are more desirable as they generally contain less contaminants to begin with. Larger species, such as salmon, contain a very high level of mercury and other toxins.
• Fish must contain omega 3 fatty acids.
  Plain "fish oil" does not necessarily contain desired levels of omega-3.
• Dog fish oil supplements should list the total amount of EPA, DHA, and other Omega-3 amounts on the label.
  Fish oil for dogs that do not state the individual amounts may contain filler oils. In a word, GROSS! Also, make sure that the DHA an EPA levels add up to the total amount of Omega-3.
• Know where the fish oil is manufactured.
  You may want to avoid fish oil that is manufactured in suspect areas. We're not going to point any fingers, but in our research, the best fish oil comes from Norway.
• Fish oil for dogs should be 100% pure.
  The best guarantee comes with a test by a third party. Making sure that the fish oil for your dog is pure means that he'll get all the benefits of fish oil without cancer causing and disease agents, such as, mercury, and PCBs.
• Fish oil for dogs should be manufactured in a GMP facility.
  Just because he's a dog, doesn't mean he's entitled to lower quality. With the low level of regulation in the dog nutrition industry, ensure that you are giving your dog the best possible product. GMP facilities meet strict guidelines related to ingredients, processing, and packaging.
• Fish oil for dogs should not taste too fishy.
  This may seem like strange requirement, but omega-3 fish oil has a low threshold for product oxidation and spoilage. A fishy or rancid smell is your first indication of a bad bottle of omega-3 fish oil.

If your fish oil meets these requirements, you've made a good choice. Our recommendation has also met this criteria. See below for product information:

We think you'll like...

Note: Please use the coupon code at checkout to receive your discount. Thank you.

Coupon code: dogfish22
Code reported as valid last on: 03/20/2012 worked

Celavin ™ Ultra Pure Omega-3 Fish Oil (200ml)