How Fish Oil Benefits Your Dog

Written by GCP
Updated June 3rd, 2020 | 8 Minute Read

You’ve heard the names, and you might know that omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are found in many foods.

However, you might not know that omega-6 fatty acids are the most common in doggy diets – and unless your dog lives with Eskimos and eats fish and seafood all day, your dog might need more omega-3 fatty acids.

There are several fatty acids that are important to doggie health. While omega-3 fatty acids such as ALA can also be found in plant-based oils (e.g. flaxseed oil), the most beneficial omega-3 fatty acids - EPA and DHA - are found in fish oil. EPA and DHA have been shown by many clinical studies to have more health benefits than both ALA and omega-6 fatty acids.

Here are 5 reasons why omega-3 fatty acids are great for pups!

1. Inflammation? Not for Long.

It all starts with easing inflammation. It gets pretty science-y, but omega-3 fatty acids can help out quite a bit with your pooch’s pain problems.

Omega-3 fatty acids integrate into cell membranes throughout the body, where they can compete with omega-6 fatty acids to encourage or prevent inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids tend to have a more ‘pro-inflammatory’ effect than omega-3 fatty acids.

In addition to being ‘less inflammatory’, the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA sometimes go further than just prevention. A steady intake of fish oils rich in omega-3s can sometimes even reduce inflammation after it has already started.

2. It’ll Reduce Joint Pain, Too

Don’t let those doggie joints ache! Give your pup enough omega-3 fatty acids, and ease any joint pain they might experience now, or later.

Osteoarthritis and joint pain can affect young dogs suffering from developmental problems, as well as older dogs who are suffering from natural wear and tear that occurs with age. Fortunately, fish oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help ease the discomfort experienced by dogs with osteoarthritis.

3. Give Your Doggo Healthier Skin!

Reducing inflammation isn’t the only way omega-3 fatty acids can help out your pup! Aside from reducing joint pain, a steady intake of fish oils and omega-3s can be good for their skin.

When humans and animals consume a diet that is low in fats and oils, the skin becomes dry and flaky. Ingestion of good quality oil is essential for skin health. Omega-3 fatty acids also assist in wound healing - a great added benefit for healthier skin that repairs faster!

4. An Omega-3 Brain Boost

Fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also help your doggo’s brain – especially if it’s given to them when they’re still young.

Omega-3 fatty acids can play a key role in the brain development of puppies, and may also aid in minimizing the effect of aging on the brain of older dogs. When Omega-3 fatty acids are integrated into the retina, they can optimize eye function and vision.

5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Can Help with Other Health Problems, Too

Fish oil has been shown to provide beneficial effects to dogs with other types of illness. Aside from providing an anti-arrhythmic effect, it can also protect the heart.

Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids can help counteract the rapid weight loss that comes with cancer, and supports kidney function as well.

The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are considered ‘essential oils,’ meaning that they cannot be synthesized within the body of the dog, and must be regularly ingested.This means that regular supplementation of fish oil to the diet - ideally throughout the lifetime of the dog - will provide continuous beneficial effects that may even help prevent some diseases in older age.