As a pet parent, you might find yourself looking for supplements for your furry-buddy’s well-being.
Unfortunately, a lot of dog supplements on the market are either not natural or have side effects. And this often limits your options to expensive and hard-to-source dietary products.
But what if I told you that there’s one supplement that’s packed with essential nutrients and is easily available too.
I am talking about salmon oil, a rarely thought of pet nutrition source that carries a ton of health benefits.
Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
Read on, as I detail science-backed benefits of salmon oil for dogs and how you can make high fiber dog food using it.
Benefits of salmon oil for dogs as per science
1. Improved cognitive function
Improved brain function is among the most talked about salmon oil for dogs benefits. So much so that pet nutrition experts claim it can almost double your pet’s cognitive abilities.
How?
You see, salmon oil is rich in Docosahexaenoic Acid or DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that’s crucial for brain health. And not only does this support neural development in puppies but it also maintains cognitive function in adult and senior dogs.
In fact, make fish oil a regular part of your dog’s diet and it will improve their memory, sharpen learning abilities, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline as they age.
2. Better joint health and mobility
Is yours a senior pet who faces joint pain and difficulty moving around?
If yes, then salmon oil might be that antidote you’ve been looking for.
Arthritis and joint pain are among the most common problems both larger breeds and aging dogs experience. And oftentimes all we are left with are expensive sessions with a canine physical therapy.
However, the Eicosapentaenoic Acid or EPA found in salmon oil has great anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate joint pain and stiffness in no time.
The result: Your pet’s mobility improves and they’re able to enjoy their daily activities without discomfort.
3. Stronger heart
Did you know that over 10 percent of all dogs examined by vets have some cardiac issues or the other?
Thankfully, one of the benefits of salmon oil for dogs is that it can maintain your dog’s heart health naturally.
Here, the omega-3 fatty acids help regulate cholesterol levels, reduce triglycerides, and prevent the formation of arterial plaques. And this ensures optimal blood flow and reduces the risk of heart-related problems.
4. Immunity boost
Just like us humans, a robust immune system is vital for your dog’s overall health. And to that end, I can’t overstate salmon oil benefits for dogs.
You see, the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3s in this fish oil works a great deal to strengthen immune response. This, in turn, makes your pup less susceptible to infections and diseases.
Awesome, right?
5. Skin and coat improvement
Nutritional deficiencies are commonplace in dogs and they show up in the form of dry and itchy skin or a lackluster coat, among others.
In fact, no matter how well-balanced a diet you feed to your pup, they can still end up with these issues.
Now, as a natural supplement, salmon oil provides essential fatty acids that nourish dog skin from within. And this reduces dryness, alleviates itchiness, and improves coat.
The best part: Add a few drops of salmon oil in de-frozen fresh pet dog food and your pup can get a healthy coat in a matter of weeks.
6. Lower risk of eye disorders
It isn’t just the brain health that fish oil benefits for dogs apply to as the Docosahexaenoic Acid or DHA in salmon oil also improves your dog’s retinal health.
And as per PubMed, it does so by maintaining correct disc morphology in the retinal photoreceptor cells of animals, including dogs.
So, as you regularly supplement your pet’s diet with salmon oil, their vision clarity improves. Also, it reduces the risk of age-related eye disorders significantly.
Research apart, pet parents have also shared firsthand accounts where they admitted regular salmon oil supplementation helped their dogs maintain a good eyesight throughout their lives.
7. Reproductive health benefits
Dog salmon oil benefits are particularly notable among breeding dogs. Here, the fatty acids support reproductive health by enabling healthier to healthier litters and improved fertility rates.
So, if a dog pregnancy test kit has confirmed that your dog is pregnant and on the way to motherhood, you should add a little salmon oil to their diet.
Drawbacks of salmon oil for dogs
Although there are plenty of salmon oil benefits for dogs, it’s important that you’re aware of its downsides too. After all, not every dog tolerates it well and an overuse or a lower-quality can have side effects.
Overall, here are some drawbacks of using salmon oil as a supplement for your dog:
1. High caloric content
Salmon oil is a highly calorie-dense supplement, which means it can add significant amounts of calories to your dog’s daily intake.
So, over-supplementing your dog’s meals with salmon oil can lead to an unhealthy increase in their body fat.
2. Allergic reactions
As with any fish-based product, some dogs might have allergic reactions to salmon oil. And this could show up in the form of gastrointestinal upset, itching, rashes, or other skin conditions.
For instance, you could find redness or rashes behind the ears or elsewhere as you do a dog ear wash.
Note: I suggest you consult with a veterinarian before introducing salmon oil to ensure that it is safe for your dog. More so if they have had a history of food sensitivities or allergies.
3. Quality concerns
The quality of salmon oil varies widely between brands and products. Even worse, some salmon oils might even contain contaminants like mercury.
So, it’s important you source high-quality, purified, and preferably cold-pressed salmon oil.
How to add salmon oil to dog food?
Adding salmon oil to your dog’s is easy, all you’ve got to do is drizzle a few drops over their food.
But it is also essential that you don’t end up overdoing it. So, here’s how you can bring out maximum benefits of salmon oil for dogs minus the side effects:
your pup gets the most out of salmon oil:
- Before you add salmon oil, or any other supplement, to your dog’s diet, I suggest you consult with a veterinarian.
- A general rule of thumb, give 1 teaspoon of salmon oil for every 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight every day.
- Start with a smaller amount, preferably 1/4 or 1/2 of the recommended dosage, and monitor your dog for any signs of adverse reactions. You can slowly increase the dose to full if no problems arise.
Frequently asked questions about salmon oil benefits for dogs
Can puppies benefit from salmon oil?
Absolutely!
The Docosahexaenoic Acid or DHA in salmon oil supports brain and eye development in puppies and is a great addition to their regular diet.
Are there any side effects of salmon oil?
In some cases, dogs might experience fish oil side effects like diarrhea or fishy breath. And that’s exactly why it is important to start with a lower dose to help mitigate these effects.
Can salmon oil replace other supplements?
While salmon oil offers numerous benefits, it is not a replacement for a balanced diet and other necessary supplements.
To sum up
As you can see, there are countless benefits of salmon oil for dogs that your pup can take advantage of.
And the best thing about this fish oil is that it’s affordable and super easy to add to dog meals.
So, before you prepare the next meal for your pup, you’d like to get some salmon oil from your local store and add a few drops over your pup’s food.
Got more questions about your dog’s diet or looking to buy them clothes instead?
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