As dog owners, we constantly seek ways to improve our pets' health and well-being. One supplement that has gained significant attention in recent years is fish oil, known for its numerous health benefits for dogs. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), fish oil can support various aspects of a dog’s health, from enhancing their skin and coat to improving joint health and boosting the immune system.

In this comprehensive handbook, we look into the different benefits of fish oil for dogs, highlighting its anti-inflammatory properties, potential side effects, appropriate dosage guidelines, and top recommended products. Understanding these aspects can help you make informed decisions about incorporating fish oil into your dog’s diet, ensuring they reap the maximum health benefits from this slippery substance. 

Is Fish Oil Good for Dogs?

Given the number of dog joint supplements, foods, and the latest trends in dog care, it makes sense that a dog owner would ask the question, “Is fish oil good for dogs?”

Fish oil is a popular addition to dog diets everywhere because of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are a “good” type of fat that has many benefits to your dog’s body and brain health (which we discuss in more detail in the sections below). 

There are four types of dietary fats that are found in dog food, which include:

1. Trans fats: These are artificially created fats through a process called hydrogenation, which makes liquid oils solid at room temperature. Trans fats can sometimes be found in low-quality dog treats and processed dog foods.

2. Saturated fats: These fats come from animal products and some plant oils. Saturated fats are necessary in moderate amounts for energy and cellular functions, but excessive intake can lead to obesity, heart disease, and pancreatitis in dogs.

3. Monounsaturated fats: These are fats that are liquid at room temperature but solidify when chilled. They are considered healthier than trans and saturated fats. Monounsaturated fats benefit heart health, reduce bad cholesterol levels, and provide essential fatty acids for skin and coat health.

4. Polyunsaturated fats: These fats remain liquid at room temperature and when chilled. They include essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, which dogs cannot produce on their own. These fats reduce inflammation, support brain function, and promote healthy skin and coat. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids must be balanced in the diet to prevent health issues.

Although regular dog food technically contains everything your dog needs to live a healthy life, giving your dog an extra boost in their diet with fish oil is not a bad thing. The omega-3s in fish oil also help balance out omega-6 fatty acids found in processed foods or grains. So, if you give your dog a few extra treats, the fish oil can technically help balance out their diet so that omega-6 doesn’t affect them as much.

What Does Fish Oil For Dogs Contain?

Most brands of fish oil for dogs contain the following ingredients, which are a mix of different fatty acids that provide various health benefits for your dog:

Forms of Fish Oil for Dogs 

Fish oil for dogs comes in a variety of different forms of administration to make it easier for you to choose the one that will be the easiest for you to give your dog. These different forms include:

Fish Oil for Dogs Benefits

Obviously, there’s a reason people (including you) are interested in feeding their dogs fish oil. And that’s because it has a lot of benefits for your dogs. This is largely due to what a wonderful source of omega-3 fish is (just like it is for humans and cats). So, if you’re wondering, “what does fish oil do for dogs?” here’s a quick list:

1. Healthy Joints

2. Shiny Coat & Healthy Skin

3. Heart Health 

4. Boosts Immune System 

5. Brain Development (in Puppies)

6. Soothes Itchy Skin

Healthy Joints

Healthy joints are an important part of being a healthy dog. Every time a dog moves, it uses its joints, and it needs to be active to be healthy. 

However, as dogs age, they can begin to have issues with their joints. They may develop dog arthritis, for instance. Arthritis happens when the cartilage between the bones of a joint wears away, so the bones grind on each other each time the joint is used. Obviously, this can be very painful for a dog. 

Fish oil for dog joints is a common solution. The omega 3’s in the fish oil can help with joint issues, or at least help manage the pain that comes with it. As reported by Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE), omega-3s provide your dog with the EPA and DHA that it needs to lower inflammation caused by arthritis. 

However, it’s important to remember that things like fish oil, turmeric, CBD for dogs, and NSAIDs do not treat the underlying joint condition; they only assist in managing pain. To treat underlying arthritis or joint degradation in dogs, you need a supplement like TRI-ACTA, which contains natural ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) that your dog’s body isn’t producing enough of on its own (TRI-ACTA H.A. adds in hyaluronic acid, which aids in joint mobility by providing more lubrication). TRI-ACTA is different because it treats the underlying joint condition that your dog is experiencing rather than only providing pain relief. You can also safely use TRI-ACTA with the components above (fish oil for dogs, CBD, etc.) without worrying about side effects. 

TRI-ACTA for Pets

A proactive approach for developing and younger adult pets to maintain optimal joint health mobility, minimize inflammation and fend off age-related ailments.

Learn More

Shiny Coat & Healthy Skin

You can tell a dog’s skin and fur aren’t doing well. The fur begins to look dull, the skin becomes red and irritated, and it could be too oily or dry. This can cause issues because you don’t want your dog to develop any sort of skin infection due to an issue with its skin or because it was scratching at irritation and caused a wound that got infected. 

Luckily, fish oil for dogs can help with that and keep your pooch looking and feeling great. 

Although it is obviously not a cure-all and can’t be used in place of a proper grooming routine, fish oil can help bolster the health and appearance of your dog’s fur and skin. 

Heart Health 

The desire to keep your dog heart-healthy and strong is a clear one. Heart issues can be very serious and even fatal. Heart diseases and abnormalities, even if they aren’t fatal, can change the way your dog is able to function. It’s important to try and keep your dog’s heart as healthy as possible, and if your dog does develop any sort of health issue, then find ways to manage and treat it so your dog can still live as long, happily, and healthily as possible. 

However, it seems the omega-3s in fish oil can aid the heart health of your pooch, even if it’s already suffering from heart disease. A paper submitted on Tufts HeartSmart states they had potential benefits in reducing inflammation and arrhythmia. This paper even specifically states that fish oil supplements for dogs must be administered since, typically, not enough fish oil will be naturally in the diet. 

This just supports the idea that fish oil is a great way to bolster a dog’s heart health. And who doesn’t want their dog to have great heart health?

However, it’s important to note that if you suspect your dog has a heart issue, you must take it to the vet. Listen to your vet's treatment plan if an issue is found. You can always inquire about fish oil, but if your vet says not to use it for any reason, listen to your vet. 

Boosts Immune System 

A dog’s immune system is an important part of their bodily functions, as, like humans, it helps prevent and fight illness. A strong immune system will better be able to fight off infections and diseases. 

Fish oil can help dogs bolster their immune systems and even fight cancer. 

Again, just like with heart issues, if you suspect your pup is ill or has a disease or infection, take it to the vet to be examined. Once your vet identifies the issue and develops a treatment plan for your dog, listen to that plan. If you wish to inquire about whether fish oil would benefit your dog, feel free. However, if your vet advises against using it, we’d advise you to listen to them. 

Brain Development in Puppies

Obviously, if you’re raising a new puppy, you want to give its little brain the best odds of developing properly. And part of that is making sure your pup gets the right nutrients. 

Omega-3 is one of the nutrients a dog needs for brain development, particularly due to the DHA we’ve previously mentioned. So, it seems like fish oil may be an important part of that equation. Omega-3 also plays an important role in brain and eye development in young animals. 

However, you don’t want to give your little puppy too much fish oil because, as you will see in the section below, that can have negative effects. So, if you’re unsure what dosage of fish oil you should be feeding your baby pooch, don’t be afraid to ask your vet. 

Fish Oil for Dogs Side Effects

With the good, we must also take the bad, and there are some side effects of fish oil for dogs, although these are typically associated with high doses. Some of those side effects include

1. Diarrhea

2. Wounds take longer to heal

3. Fish smell

4. Oily skin

5. Prevents proper blood clotting

Diarrhea

Although fish oil for dogs is generally considered safe, feeding your dog too much may lead to certain side effects, like diarrhea. 

Ensure you keep your dog as hydrated and comfortable as possible, as diarrhea can be dehydrating and uncomfortable. Your dog may be exhibiting signs of not feeling well due to this diarrhea, like lethargy. 

If your dog begins to experience diarrhea, speak to your vet about the best course of action. They may simply recommend a lower dose of fish oil for your dog, or they may recommend you stop administering fish oil to your dog at all. 

Wounds Take Longer to Heal

The EPA and DHA in fish oil may prevent a dog’s wounds from healing as quickly as they should, which it points out could be an issue if your dog had surgery, for instance. 

Therefore, if your pet begins to show signs of not healing properly, speak to your vet about the best course of action. This can be particularly important if your dog has surgery coming up. Even if you haven’t noticed signs of your pup healing more slowly, you may want to discuss your dog’s fish oil usage and which dosage before your dog’s surgery. 

Fish Smell 

If you notice your dog has started to develop a fishy odor, it may be time to reduce your dog’s fish oil intake. 

Again, this doesn’t necessarily mean you must stop giving your dog fish oil entirely. This is something you can speak with your vet about. 

Not that dogs typically smell amazing, but fish can be a particularly brutal smell. Plus, you don’t want to wait until the side effects turn into something worse. 

Oily Skin 

Another side effect you’ll see commonly listed around the internet (including on the last cited VCA Animal Hospitals article) is oily skin or fur on your dog. This may not seem like a large issue; however, you don’t want to compromise the health of your dog’s skin and fur, which can promote infection. This is especially true if your dog’s skin becomes irritated, and so your dog scratches it, which can penetrate the skin and introduce bacteria into it. 

And again, you don’t want to wait until a bigger side effect appears. 

Prevents Proper Blood Clotting

Speaking of bigger side effects, too much fish oil for dogs may cause issues with blood clotting. It’s important to note that the previously cited VCA Animal Hospitals article lists this as a cat-specific issue. However, the previously cited PetMD article has it listed as an issue for pets, without cats being specified, and Petfinder also lists it amongst its side effects for fish oil for dogs. 

The concern is that essentially (according to the PetMD article), your dog’s blood won’t clot properly if there’s an injury, leading to a higher degree of bleeding than there would otherwise be. This is another situation that could cause issues with a surgical procedure. 

However, you can always speak to your vet if you're concerned about this.  

How Much Fish Oil for Dogs?

The optimal fish oil dosage for dogs depends on several factors, including the size of your dog, how much fish oil or omega-3s are already in your dog’s diet, the food you feed your dog, any medication your dog may be taking, and the amount of fish oil in the supplement you’re feeding your dog. 

So, what we’re saying is we can’t give you a definitive answer for how much fish oil you should be giving your dog. What we can say, though, is that typically, most supplements will come with a general guide on the best fish oil dose for dogs, depending on their size.

To minimize the risk of side effects, it is important to:

• Consult Your Veterinarian: Before starting fish oil supplements, discuss the appropriate dosage and potential risks, especially if your dog has pre-existing health conditions or is on medication.

• Start Slowly: Introduce fish oil gradually into your dog’s diet to allow their system to adjust.

• Monitor Your Dog: Watch for any signs of adverse reactions, such as digestive upset or changes in behavior, and adjust the dosage accordingly.

By carefully monitoring your dog’s response to fish oil and consulting with a veterinarian, you can help ensure that your dog reaps the benefits of this supplement while minimizing potential side effects.

Salmon Oil vs Fish Oil for Dogs

Comparing salmon oil for dogs vs. fish oil might seem like comparing two different types of apples. At the end of the day, they are both apples, and provide the same nutritional and overall health benefits. The only real difference is the taste and texture of the fruit. The same thing more or less applies to salmon oil for dogs and fish oil; they are basically the same thing, but with a few minor differences:

• Salmon oil for dogs tends to include more fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, which both promote skin and heart health as well as more general benefits to internal organs. 

• Salmon oil for dogs tends to have less of a “fishy” smell and taste, which may be beneficial for dogs that turn up their noses at other types of fish oil.

• Salmon oil tends to be a higher-quality product overall compared to generic fish oil, but it’s still important to research the manufacturer and only purchase from a reputable company.

• Overall, the nutritional and health benefits of salmon oil for dogs vs. fish oil for dogs is similar enough that both are effective choices for giving your dog an extra health boost.

One important thing to remember when it comes to choosing a fish oil product for your dog is that different brands will have different concentrations of ingredients, which can affect the efficacy of the product. Most of the comparison information online between fish oil for dogs vs. salmon oil for dogs refers to specific brands and the ingredients they use, rather than the comparison of the two different oils in a general sense. It’s important to carefully read the ingredients and seek out information from the manufacturer regarding the health claims of the fish oil product you choose (typically found on the manufacturer’s website).

5 Best Fish Oil for Dogs 

These fish oils for dogs were chosen based on popular brands and top ratings on Google.

The fish oils for dogs are listed in no particular order. 

1. Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Fish Oil for Dogs

Source

* Prices as of July 2024.

2. Welactin Canine Omega-3 Supplement Fish Oil for Dogs

Source

* Prices as of July 2024.

3. Zesty Paws Skin & Coat Omega Bites™ Alaskan Fish Oil for Dogs

Source

* Prices as of July 2024.

4. Bayer Free Form Snip Tips Gel Capsules, Omega-3 Fish Oil Oil for Dogs

Source

* Prices as of July 2024.

5. EicosaDerm Omega 3 Liquid Fish Oil for Dogs and Cats

Source

* Prices as of July 2024.

You’ll note that most supplements on this list boast small ingredient lists, suggesting fewer filler ingredients. Look for this when choosing a supplement, fish oil or otherwise, for your dog. 

If you’re unsure about the quality of a supplement or whether it’s right for your dog, ask your vet for their opinion. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Give Human Fish Oil for Dogs? What is the Dosage? 

As we mentioned in our Fish Oil for Dogs Dosage section, the dosage you should give your dog depends on various factors, so we recommend speaking to your vet about the right amount for your pooch. 

However, if you’re giving your dog human fish oil, it is important to check the ingredients list to make sure there’s nothing in it that could potentially harm your pet. If you’re unsure, again, we recommend that you speak to your vet. If there is anything harmful in it, they may be able to direct you to a safer fish oil option. There are many great options that are specifically formulated for pets.

Is Fish Oil Bad For Dogs?

Fish oil is generally considered beneficial for dogs due to its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which can support joint health, skin and coat health, and overall well-being. However, as with any supplement, it is important to be aware of potential side effects and administer it appropriately.

• Gastrointestinal Upset: Some dogs may experience diarrhea, vomiting, or an upset stomach when first introduced to fish oil. This can often be mitigated by starting with a smaller dose and gradually increasing it.

• Increased Bleeding: High doses of fish oil can increase the risk of bleeding, especially in dogs with clotting disorders or those taking anticoagulant medications.

• Weight Gain: Fish oil is calorie-dense, and excessive use can contribute to weight gain if not accounted for in the dog’s overall diet.

• Bad Breath and Fishy Odor: Some dogs may develop bad breath or a fishy odor from the oils.

• Altered Immune Function: Excessive doses of omega-3 fatty acids can potentially suppress the immune system, making dogs more susceptible to infections.

Key Takeaway on Fish Oil for Dogs

Do you smell that? It smells like keeping your dog healthy. 

Fish oil for dogs is a great addition to your dog’s diet, so you can help keep it happy and healthy. So, if you’re looking to give it a try, we’ll go through the brands we recommend one more time

1. Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet

2. Welactin Canine Omega-3 Supplement

3. Zesty Paws Omega BitesTM for Dogs

4. Bayer Free Form Snip Tips Gel Capsules, Omega-3 Fish Oil

5. EicosaDerm Liquid for Dogs and Cats

Just make sure you’re feeding your pooch the proper dosage! 

When it comes to joint health, fish oils can be beneficial. In particular, they can have anti-inflammatory benefits. However, while they can help address symptoms of immobility, they cannot address the issue's root causes. Joint supplements like TRI-ACTA and TRI-ACTA H.A. for Pets work to repair the cartilage, prevent further deterioration, and reduce inflammation, thereby treating the cause AND the symptoms when there is a mobility concern. Including this type of supplementation along with fish oil can have complimentary benefits that go a long way in supporting their health.

If you’re interested in maintaining your pet's health with other types of supplements, you can shop our joint supplements here. 

TRI-ACTA H.A. for Pets

Our maximum strength formula is optimally designed to accelerate the formation of cartilage, minimize inflammation, expedite the healing process, and improve joint conditions.

Learn More

If you’re looking for more information on your dog’s health, check out our pet health blogs or our resources page.