Fish Oil for me... Fish Oil for my dog

Hard to believe spring is just around the corner, but with spring also comes seasonal allergies, and not just for humans, but for dogs too!  We don't know about your dogs, but Sam, our Golden Retriever and Chief Tasting Officer, loves to roll around in dirt, grass, hay, weeds, just about anything!  But during the spring, we noticed that her coat would get a little dull looking, and she would crouch down into a down-dog yoga position to rub her face on the ground.  So, what did we do to alleviate her seasonal dog allergies?

Well, in addition to giving her a few extra Skin + Coat Dog Treats, which contain over 1.5 ounces of Salmon, and almost an ounce of Ground Flax Seed per box which are both super high in Omega 3 fatty acids (the same ones found in fish oil) - we also started giving her 2 - 1200mg frozen fish oil capsules.  Yes, frozen.  It helps keep that smelly, fishy breath and burps to a minimum after taking fish oil pills.

Why is fish oil so good for your dog?  One of the main benefits that fish oil has for your dog is alleviating common allergies like itchy paws and dry skin.  It does that by "lubricating" their skin cells which helps keep the histamines down.  It also provides overall anti-inflammatory effects which can reduce the risk for heart disease, and also keep their joints moving smoothly, increases their immunity, and decreases shedding.

How can I tell if my dog has allergies? Dogs don't scratch themselves the same way that humans do.  Instead, they will rub their face, or lick their paws.  But remember, even if your dog doesn't suffer from itchy paws, skin, or allergies, fish oil does good for the whole body!

How much fish oil should I give my dog?  The general rule is to give your dog 20mg of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) fish oil per pound of body weight, 2 times per day.  Most fish oils will contain DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) too, which is fine - both EPA and DHA are types of Omega 3 fatty acids.  Because your dog's diet is already high in Omega 6 fatty acids, try and find fish oil pills heavy on the Omega 3 (EPA & DHA).  So, if you have a 50 pound dog, they should get one 1000mg EPA capsule two times per day.  You don't necessarily have to worry about overdosing your dog on fish oil, but if you notice their stools getting soft, cut back a bit.  Try giving your dog fish oil for at least 3 weeks, and we bet you'll notice a difference in their coat and skin!

*Please always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any supplements.