We call dogs our best friends for a reason. They give us companionship, love, and occasionally barf on our carpets. But what a lot of dog owners don’t know is that their furry friends need good nutrition just like people do! This includes giving their dogs supplements when they need them.
With so many dog supplements available, finding the perfect one for your dog can be challenging.
To choose a supplement that will give your dog the most nutrition, make sure you know what ingredients to look for and how they work. Among the most essential components to consider: omega-three fatty acids.
Salmon and other fatty fish oils are some of the best sources of omega-three fatty acids. Without adequate omega-3s in their diet, your dog may.
Giving your dog salmon oil supplements is an easy way to make sure they get all the nutrients they need to live a long and healthy life.
Today, we’re going to talk about the top four benefits of salmon oil for dogs and answer some very important questions, like “What does salmon oil for dogs do?” and “Why use salmon oil for dogs?”
Shedding is a natural process for dogs, but excessive shedding can be frustrating for pet owners. As a dog owner, you want your furry friend to have a healthy, shiny coat. But constantly cleaning up tufts of fur is no fun. So what causes shedding, and can supplements like salmon oil help?
This article will talk about why dogs shed, discuss the science behind omega-3 fatty acids and salmon oil, and show how salmon oil can help dogs stop shedding too much.
What Causes Dogs To Shed?
Before looking at solutions, let’s understand why dogs shed in the first place. There are a few key reasons dogs lose hair:
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Breed characteristics: Some breeds are programmed genetically to be heavy shedders. Double-coated breeds like German Shepherds and Huskies blow their coat seasonally.
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Temperature regulation Dogs will shed their winter coats in the spring to stay cool in summer. In the fall they’ll shed to make room for their thick winter coat.
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Pregnancy/nursing: Hormonal changes during pregnancy and nursing can cause shedding. This is temporary.
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Stress: Anxiety, change in environment, new pets, etc. can trigger excess shedding due to stress.
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Poor nutrition: Low quality or imbalanced diet leads to dull fur and increased shedding.
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Health problems: Hormonal imbalances, infections, parasites and other medical issues may cause abnormal shedding.
So while some shedding is perfectly normal, excessive hair loss is often a sign of an underlying problem. Let’s look at how salmon oil can help.
What Is Salmon Oil And Why Is It Good For Dogs?
Salmon oil is a supplement derived from salmon fish. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA, which have incredible health benefits for dogs
Here are some of the top reasons vets recommend salmon oil for dogs:
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Supports skin and coat health: Omega-3s nourish the skin, reduce inflammation and dryness, and promote shiny coats.
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Eases joint pain Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory, helping dogs with arthritis and joint issues
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Boosts immune system: Omega-3s support immune function and response.
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Promotes heart health: EPA and DHA support cardiovascular function.
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Supports brain health: DHA boosts cognitive function and development.
Now let’s look specifically at how salmon oil helps with shedding…
How Salmon Oil Reduces Shedding In Dogs
The omega-3s in salmon oil provide tremendous skin and coat benefits for dogs:
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Moisturizes skin: Omega-3s increase fatty acid levels in skin cells, preventing dryness and itching.
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Reduces inflammation: Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory, soothing inflammatory skin disorders causing shedding.
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Promotes hair growth: Omega-3s nourish hair follicles and stimulate growth of healthy new fur.
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Makes fur shiny: Omega-3s condition fur from the inside out, increasing shine and luster.
These effects help minimize excessive shedding by treating it at the root cause – optimizing skin and coat health.
Research also backs this up. Studies show that adding omega-3 supplements leads to noticeable improvements in dogs’ coats, including reduced shedding.
What Type Of Salmon Oil Is Best?
Look for salmon oil made from wild-caught fish vs farmed. Wild salmon oil has higher omega-3 content since wild salmon eat a natural diet of algae and krill.
The product should also be purified to remove any contaminants. Third party testing ensures safety and purity.
Liquid salmon oil makes it easy to add to your dog’s food. Look for a pump bottle to control dosage. Avoid capsules which dogs may struggle to digest.
My Top Salmon Oil Pick
My top choice is Brilliant Salmon Oil. It’s made from wild Alaskan salmon, triple purified, and formulated specifically for pets.
I like that it undergoes rigorous third party testing for purity and freshness. The pump bottle makes dosing easy. And it contains a guaranteed minimum EPA/DHA content.
How Much Salmon Oil Should I Give My Dog?
Follow dosage guidelines on your specific product. The amount depends on your dog’s weight and needs.
For reference, general dosage guidelines are:
- Small dogs under 25lbs: 1/2 teaspoon daily
- Medium dogs 25-50lbs: 1 teaspoon daily
- Large dogs 50-90lbs: 1 1/2 teaspoons daily
- Giant dogs over 90lbs: 2 teaspoons daily
Start low and gradually increase to the target dose over 2-3 weeks. This allows your dog’s body to adjust.
Mix the oil in your dog’s food at mealtimes. Salmon oil can cause stomach upset on an empty tummy.
Monitor your dog after starting salmon oil. Look for improvements in their skin, coat, joints or other issues. Adjust the dosage up or down accordingly.
And as always, check with your vet, especially if your dog has medical conditions or takes other medications.
7 Other Tips To Control Dog Shedding
While salmon oil helps reduce shedding internally, you can also take some additional steps to manage loose hair:
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Brush regularly: Regular brushing removes loose hair before it sheds all over your home.
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Bathe when needed: Bathing lifts dirt and loose hair. But don’t over-bathe, as this strips healthy oils.
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Use deshedding tools: Deshedding brushes and rakes help remove loose undercoat hair.
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Clean bedding: Use washable bed covers and launder frequently to remove shed hair.
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Add air filters: HEPA air filters capture airborne pet hair in the home.
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Give fatty acids: Along with salmon oil, foods rich in omega-6 fatty acids support skin health.
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See your vet: Rule out any underlying medical issue causing excessive shedding.
The Bottom Line
While all dogs shed, excessive hair loss is often a sign of skin problems or poor diet. By nourishing your dog’s coat from the inside out, salmon oil can get shedding under control.
Look for a pure, high-quality salmon oil to maximize the omega-3 benefits. Follow dosage guidelines based on your dog’s size. And couple supplementation with good nutrition and grooming tools to keep shedding at bay.
Your dog’s luscious, healthy coat will thank you! Just be prepared to still keep that vacuum handy – shedding is a part of life with dogs. But salmon oil can help make it much more manageable.
Benefit #3: Sustains Strong Immune Systems for Dogs
A strong immune system is key to keeping your dog healthy and happy. Conversely, a weak immune system leaves your pup susceptible to infection and disease.
Some of the common signs of a weak immune system, especially in senior dogs, include:
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Frequent infections
- Slow wound healing
- Hair loss
Omega-three fatty acids found in salmon oil play a vital role in maintaining a strong immune system. These nutrients will support your dogs immune system responses by:
- Getting rid of inflammation all over the body: Chronic inflammation in dogs can cause autoimmune diseases like arthritis if it is not treated.
- Controlling the production of immune cells: salmon oil helps the dog’s body make more white blood cells, which fight off infections.
- Improving the effectiveness of vaccines: Omega-3s improve the effectiveness of vaccines by making immune cells better able to respond to a vaccine.
Its worth noting that some dogs are born with a weaker immune system than others. These pups are already at a higher risk of developing allergies, infections, and autoimmune diseases.
Your pet will get better faster from illness if you give it salmon oil. It works by boosting the immune system and making these conditions less severe.
Tip: If your dog hasn’t been taking salmon oil before, start with half the recommended dose and slowly increase it over time. This will allow their body to adjust to the new supplement, and help prevent any digestive upset. Alternatively, you can mix their salmon oil with food to make it even tastier!.
Does salmon oil reduce dog shedding?
Yes. If you want to cut down on the amount of fur your dog sheds, salmon oil for dogs to stop shedding works well. The omega-three fatty acids in the oil help improve the health of your dogs skin and coat. This leads to less shedding and a shinier, healthier coat.
Benefits of Fish Oil for your dogs? | Veterinary Approved
Is salmon oil good for dogs?
It is said that salmon oil can help prevent canine cancer and help slow the growth of cancer once it has begun spreading. It certainly also helps with conditions caused by cancer, such as cachexia. Improves Overall Health. In addition to the above benefits, the omega-3s, EPA, and DHA help maintain a healthy heart, kidney, and liver function.
Is salmon fattening or good for health?
No one food has the ability to be fattening by itself. It is the entirety of a person’s regular diet that can contribute to weight gain. While salmon itself is not fattening, some fatty fish like salmon are uniquely rich in both healthy omega-3 fats as well vitamin D. Both are nutrients that are essential to health. Consumed 2-3 times per week, salmon is a healthy choice. There are a variety of ways to eat salmon; cooked from fresh, canned, smoked, and raw in sushi. Wild salmon is generally the healthier choice, however, some fish farms are becoming more sustainable and provide quality products. For those looking for wild salmon only, canned red or sockeye salmon sold in supermarkets is typically more affordable than fresh. It cannot be farmed and is all wild.
Can senior dogs eat salmon oil?
Supplementing your dog’s diet with salmon oil can help to improve their skin and coat condition, reduce inflammation and joint pain, and boost their immune system. Omega-3 fatty acids are also beneficial for cognitive function and brain health, making salmon oil an ideal supplement for senior dogs.
Can a dog eat too much salmon oil?
“Too much salmon oil given at once can cause stomach upset in dogs, which can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, compromised immune system and delayed wound healing,” Dr. Crow said. There are some things you should consider when choosing a salmon oil supplement to make sure you’re getting the right one for your pup and that it’s high quality.