What Is The Best Fish Oil For Your Dog?

A healthy diet is vital for your dog, and keeping him or her healthy is one of the best ways to do that. But just because you feed your pooch a delicious stew or let her chase after a passing fish doesn't mean you can't help boost his orher health with the right supplements. Unfortunately, not all dog supplements are the same. For example, a dog food supplement is a completely different product than a supplement for a cat.

How do you tell which is best for which dog? That’s where we come in. We want to make your shopping experience easier so we do our homework for you. If you‘re ready to buy a fish oil supplements, take a look at the product list above for our top five recommendations.

If you want more information on what to look for before you buy, continue reading this shopping guide.

Fish Oils for Dog Tips

Dietary supplements for pets are available in a variety of forms. The brands we recommend here are specially formulated to meet the needs of dogs and cats with special diets. Many brands also make supplements that are suitable for pregnant or lactating women. Also, supplements vary in their overall cost. You can find some great options for both dogs (and cats) here.

When you're choosing a pet supplement, it’s important to consider the brand name, active ingredient, dosage, and the ingredients themselves. Check the label to determine whether any of the included ingredients are vegetarian or vegan. Some supplements are formulated for specific dietary needs, such as for a dog with sensitive skin or a cat with an allergy.

In addition to a brand's active ingredients, you may also want to check the ingredient list, because some manufacturers add ingredients to their formulas that aren‘t listed. For example, some fish oils contain fish DNA, which some people believe can be harmful to dogs.

However, the American Pet Products Association notes that there is no conclusive evidence that fish oil can cause any health problems for either humans or dogs. Fish oil capsules are easy to take. Place a few capsules in your hand or on a piece of paper towel before you begin your daily schedule. While these are convenient, they're not as rich in omega-3 fatty acids as a daily supplement.

If you re going to be making a supplement in addition, choose a capsule with a higher concentration of omega 3s. BPA-free oils are easier to apply and easier for children and pets to swallow. Bear in mind that you must supervise your pet while it is using a Bisphenol A- or BHA-Free oil.

Fish Oils for Dog Considerations

There are so many options when it comes to dog food, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some things to consider before you buy fish oil.

• Type of food

Fish oil is available in several different forms. Fish meal is the most common. It's made from small, hard fish like salmon or trout and is usually a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acid. This type of fish food is very high in fat.

Dried fish meal can also be labeled as fish lipid meal. Mealworms are tiny invertebrates that can easily be ground into a powder form. They can replace a large portion of the dry food in your dog's diet.

Oils derived from algae are not generally used for dog foods. The oil may contain trace amounts of algae, but the rest of it is generally harmless. You may be able to buy algae-derived oils in supplements.

• Healthy fats

The omega 3 and 6 fats in fish oils are beneficial to dogs, as well. Inulin and alpha-linolenic acid are examples of healthy fats. Check the label to be sure the oil you're considering is healthy. Many people choose to avoid high-fat foods in their dogs' diets, so they’ll also avoid supplements containing omega oil.

• Meat

Most dog diets contain meat, and this can have an effect on the omega fatty content of a dog supplement. Some formulas contain more meat than others, which could lead to an imbalance in the fatty-acid composition of your pet's diet.

Note that a balanced diet is key, not just a high fat diet for your four-legged friend.

Fish Oils for Dogs Prices

Fish oil is a relatively inexpensive supplement for your dog. You could get a bottle of 60 capsules for under $5, or you could pay $20 for a two-ounce bottle (which is what I did).

Here’s what to expect price-wise for the most popular types of dog supplements.

• Flaxseed oil

You can get either 100% pure flaxseeds (the source of omega-3 fatty acids) or 100” capsules of pure omega 3 fatty acid concentrate. Pure flakka oil usually costs about $13. Fish oil supplements that contain omega fatty Acid D are usually a bit more, usually $15 to $17. (Note that you should check the label to make sure the D in the supplement is actually DHA, rather than something else.) For a four-pack of supplements, you‘d usually pay about the same as you would for one bottle.

However, if you get more than a couple bottles, it's not a bad idea to go with one of the inexpensive brands.

• Glucosamine and chondroitin

These are two of your most important dog vitamins. Most brands have 100- to 200-count packets of these two. The downside to a large amount of glucosine is that it can make you feel sluggish, which is why many dog owners prefer to take smaller amounts. For about a $8 to 10 per bottle, however, a dog owner could probably get enough of this ingredient to keep his dog happy for several months.

• B12 and folic acid

This is another common ingredient in dog health supplements and is required by law in some states. In general, the more this supplement costs, though, perhaps because of its nutritional importance, your chances of getting enough are better. Vitamin B-12 is an easy vitamin to find in a pill or capsule size, and even more so in larger quantities.

Folic Acid, on the other hand, is harder to come by but it helps prevent birth defects in women who conceive through in vitro fertilization.

Bosch Fish Oil Buying Features

The dosage of fish oil supplements for canine health depends on the size of the bottle. Smaller dosages are generally recommended for those with smaller dogs or pets, while larger dosances are recommended if you want to use them for a long time.

• Serving Size 

Always read the serving size because it's the easiest way to figure out how many servings you will get per bottle/pack. A serving is the amount of a supplement that you take once per day.

• Quantity 

When it comes to the quantity of an omega-3 supplement, it is better to choose a multipack than buying one large bottle with a few small bottles. This way, you get a good ratio of omega fatty acids to vitamins and minerals.

• Ingredients 

Look out for ingredients that are plant-based as this gives you more options when it come to choosing the best one for your pet. Choose fish-oil supplements that have as few GMO ingredients as possible. The best products don't contain any artificial additives.

• Pet Professionals 

If you are buying a fish supplement for pets that work with you, look out to see if the company is a professional pet trainer or veterinarian. It is best to get fish supplements from companies that specialize in this field.

• Amount Per Serving 

Determining the per-serving amount for fish is very important, especially if it’s a high-quality omega fish food. You should always check the label of any supplements you‘re considering, since the exact amount per serving depends solely on how they are formulated.

About Fish Oils for Dogs

Aromatherapy has been around since ancient times. In ancient Rome, the practice of aromatherizing was considered a luxury good, and only the most well-connected Romans were allowed to use these devices.

Today, we’ve come a long way since then, as we now have a plethora of safe and natural aromas to choose from. Some of the best aromatics for your dog include the following

• Lavender 

While your pet might not love the scent, it can help you calm anxiety and tension.

• Chamomile 

This relaxing herb can be used to soothe aching muscles and reduce inflammation.

• Eucalyptus 

A popular and therapeutic essential oil, this plant oil smells great when applied topically to clean and dry skin.

• Peppermint 

Used to treat the ailments of allergies, peppermint can also help calm a stressed-out dog.

• Sandalwood 

Bringing a sense of calm and relaxation to your pooch, sandalwoods can sooth and soothes a dog who‘s got an upset tummy.

• Cedarwood/Jasmine 

If your pup s favorite scent is the combination of fresh and clean, give her a cedarwood or jasmin tree oil or two.

• Ginger 

Whether your pups are nervous about a new puppy or achy joints, a ginger oil can calm your mind and help your little one relax.

• Hyssop 

For dogs with joint pains and soreness, hyssopus oil is a great option to help relieve the discomfort.

• Tonka bean 

Your pooches probably aren't fans of tonka beans, but they can relieve joint pain and inflammation, making this a very useful ingredient in any pet's medicine cabinet.

Lavendula angustifolia 

Think of lavender tea and you might picture a lavendar plant, right? Lavenders have antibacterial properties, so adding a drop of this essential to any water will treat your furry friend's skin and relieve itching.

• Neroli 

Named after the rose bush in France, Nerolus glabra is an invigorating oil that calms, relieves, treats and encourages exercise.