Dog owners around the world care for their pets as members of the family. As a pet owner you may worry about your pet’s health. Increasingly owners are using organic supplements, and fish oil is a natural and strongly beneficial supplement suitable for dogs. Here are 6 reasons why you should consider fish oil for your dog.

6 Great Benefits of Fish Oil for Your Dog

One of the best dietary supplements for your dog is without a doubt a fish oil. Due to the fact that it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil in particular is beneficial for your dog’s overall health. However, for it to have the desired effect, it has to be taken in the right dosages.

What Is Fish Oil?

This oil is extracted from fish tissue. Most of the time, herring, tuna, and anchovies are the main source of this supplement. The fish oil supplements will provide your dog with the necessary amount of omega-3s. The main omega-3s are eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) and they are the main cause of numerous health benefits your dog will experience once it starts taking them.

Let’s see what are the main benefits of these dietary additions.

1. Good for Their Heart

The benefits of fish oil have been known for quite some time. It’s recommended for both humans and pets when taken in a proper dosage to improve their health. The researches have shown that it reduces the heart’s vulnerability to developing an irregular rhythm of this organ in dogs. Also, it also acts as an anticoagulant and prevents blood clots from forming.    

2. Boosts Immune System in Older Dogs

The immune system is important in all living creatures, including our pets. That’s the body’s natural defense mechanism and it’s necessary to keep it as strong as possible. The strong immune system is especially significant for older dogs as they are more prone to inflammation and infection. 

So, there is no doubt they will benefit from the intake of omega-2 fatty acids. Inflammations are very often having a significant role in degenerative brain diseases and this supplement can lessen or even reverse this negative process.     

3. Makes Skin and Coat Better

Fish oil will make your dog’s skin and coat much better. As stated by the experts from paramountpethealth.com/products/omega-3-fish-oil-for-dogs-cats, if your pet is fighting some sort of allergies, itchiness, and has problems with dry skin, this food supplement will omega-3 fatty acids will significantly improve their situation. There are different brands on the market but make sure you get the one that has passed veterinary studies with flying colors.

It has been proven that fish oil promotes shiny and healthy coats and reduces shedding and dry skin, among other things. So, if you want to support your dog as it enters its senior years, adding this supplement to its diet is definitely a way to go.    

4. Helps with Arthritis

Getting older is not easy as it brings more challenges and health problems for all living creatures. As dogs grow older, they have to deal with pain in their joints and arthritis is not unusual. If you start giving them fish oil, it will decrease the production of potent prostaglandins that stimulate inflammation in the joints. Also, by adding omega-3s to their food, you will make them feel more comfortable.    

5. Improves Dog’s Mental State

In 2012, a Hill’s Pet Nutrition study found that providing puppies with DHA increased their ability to learn and retain certain skills when compared to those that were not receiving this supplement. Also, the research has shown that older dogs suffering from cognitive dysfunction were able to recognize their family members after starting to take fish oil.

When it comes to behaviour, the ways omega-3s affect that part of the dog’s life is not researched enough but it has been proven that it modulates neurotransmitters. There is evidence that fatty acids and anti-anxiety medications influence the same pathways in the brain. A study conducted on 24 Labradors in 2016 has shown that they have a calming effect. Also, there are good indications that it can relieve pets of depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity.

6. Slows Down the Progression of Kidney Diseases

If your dog is suffering from chronic kidney disease, fish oil will be able to help them with this problem. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are rich in EPA and DHA. These constituent ingredients have very positive effects on dogs with failing kidneys. Introducing this supplement in their diet may also lower elevated blood pressure. In addition it will decrease undesired protein loss in urine, and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory substances that aggravate these organs. 

If you’re hoping to improve your dog’s overall health, introducing fish oil to its diet is an excellent start. For quite some time, omega-3 fatty acids found in this product have been known to have beneficial effects on your pet’s health. From boosting their immune system to improving their mental state, there are many perks a pup will experience for eating this supplement.   

Further reading about dogs and dog care

At Housesitmatch.com we always try to share useful and informative blogs and practical advice with our members. Read on to find some helpful articles with useful tips for dog owners and dogsitters about dogsitting.

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