I Almost Killed My Dog With Fish Oil

In this research I will discuss “How I Almost Killed My Dog With Fish Oil“.

Our dogs diet should include fish oil since it is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. 

In fact fish oil is extremely beneficial for dogs and has many potential health advantages. 

Dogs consume a lot of omega-6 fats from their processed food so a healthy amount of omega-3 is required to counteract the inflammatory effects of excess omega-6. 

There are many health benefits associated with fish oil for dogs and it is highly recommended.

However before you give your pet fish oil overboard you should also know that it has many side effects; especially vitamin E deficiency when taken in excess. 

Check out the following information before you give your dog fish oil supplements.

Is fish oil toxic to dogs?

Dogs cannot be poisoned by fish oil. Pet owners give it to their pets as a supplement and it is generally safe for both dogs and cats. 

Fish oil is a very beneficial source of omega-3 fatty acids for dogs according to numerous studies. 

One of these benefits includes anti-inflammatory properties as well as improved skin and coat quality.

How does fish oil affect dogs?

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are found in fish oil making it a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

The anti-inflammatory properties of EPA and DHA are excellent for boosting the nutritional value of your dogs diet.

A dogs response to fish oil will be largely dependent on his overall health and diet.

Fish oil supplements can dramatically improve the appearance of a dog with an inflammatory skin condition and dull coat within a few weeks. 

Fish oil can be beneficial for dogs suffering from arthritis diabetes kidney disease heart disease or cancer. 

Improves the cognitive function of older dogs with cognitive dysfunction. 

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help puppies develop their eyes and brains as well as boost their immune systems. 

Fish is rich in anti-inflammatory agents and can be an excellent ingredient for your dogs food especially if your pet eats dry food. 

Last but not least heres a quick rundown of how fish oil can help your dog;

• Boosts the immune system and fights inflammation
• Improves skin and coat quality of dogs as well as reducing allergies
• Decreases the risk of cancer heart disease kidney disease etc.
• Promotes the health of the eyes and the brain
• Joint and bone health is improved as well as arthritis relief
• Defends against inflammatory bowel disease and improves gut health.

Fish oil can have some positive effects on your dog but it can also be very dangerous. Fish oil is a great product. However giving your pet too much of it could cause a deficiency in vitamin E in their body causing symptoms such as lameness severe pain premature aging muscle atrophy edema and weight loss.

How do I tell if my dog needs fish oil?

So you have heard a lot about Omega-3 fats and how the best way to provide Omega-3 fats to your pet is through fish oil. 

You can not help but wonder whether your pet needs some of this goodness and how you can tell if it will benefit them. Its likely that your dog needs fish oil supplements if he eats mostly kibbles and dry food. 

The vast majority of processed dog food is made from grains refined oils and meat from grain-fed animals all of which are high in Omega-6 fatty acids with little or no Omega-3 fatty acids. 

You should supplement your dogs diet with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in order to achieve a healthy balance. A great option is fish oil. 

Alternatively if you feed your dog a raw diet of meat and grass-fed animals or occasionally substitute any fish into their diet as long as they get their Omega-3 from food then they may not need fish oil for extra Omega-3.

It may also be a sign that your pooch needs more omega-3 if they have dry or dull coats and flaky skin arthritis or joint stiffness skin allergies and brittle/poor nail quality. 

Here are some of the obvious signs that your dog may need fish oil supplements. 

Additionally if your dog has special needs such as an illness fish oil supplements can be helpful. 

If you are giving fish oil supplements to your canine companion you should keep these things in mind: 

1. To avoid heavy metal toxicity make sure you only use fish oil from reputable sources
2. If your dog has a blood-clotting disorder or is taking anticoagulant medications you need to be extra careful when giving them fish oil. Supplements containing fish oil tend to increase anticoagulant activity.
3. Consult your veterinarian before giving your dog fish oil shots if she is pregnant
4. Fish oil supplements should also be avoided if your pet has a history of pancreatitis or oil sensitivity. 
5. Last but not least strictly adhere to the recommended dosage.

Can a dog overdose on fish oil?

In fact dogs can overdose on fish oil and giving them a very high dosage of fish oil may cause some side effects. 

Some of these symptoms can be caused by overdosing on fish oil;

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• An oily coat or flaky skin
• Blood clotting is reduced
• Healing of wounds is delayed
• Bleeding inside
• Lameness
• Gaining weight
• Alterations in immune function etc.

Between 20 and 55 mg of combined EPA and DHA is a safe dose for dogs says the National Research Council. 

There are no special needs for dogs who are not suffering from serious health conditions. 

Fish oil supplements for dogs also come with dosage and administration guidelines so pet parents can use them safely.

Please consult your veterinarian for dosage recommendations before adding fish oil to your pets food because dogs vary in size weight age and breed. 

Can fish oil become rancid and poisonous?

Fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) which are polyunsaturated fats that are very unstable. 

Fish oil is therefore unstable and quickly oxidized. A major disadvantage of fish oil supplements is that it becomes rancid when exposed to oxygen. 

It can however be preserved much longer when properly stored in dark containers and away from light. 

The fish oil should be covered and kept refrigerated when in use to prevent oxidation.

We do not recommend giving your pet rancid fish oil because it smells and tastes bad. 

Radicchio fish oil is toxic causing organ damage when consumed. 

If your fish oil tastes or smells rancid its bad and should be thrown away.

What is the best type of fish oil for dogs? 

Choose only the highest-quality fish oil supplements when you are shopping for them. 

The best quality does not always mean most expensive as there are several fish oil supplements that are budget-friendly and offer excellent quality. 

It is important to remember that supplements that come from unknown sources may contain toxins and heavy metals such as lead and mercury absorbed by fish from ocean contaminants. 

Fish species with heavy metal deposits and contaminants tend to be more prevalent than others.

There are three types of fish oil available and here are some to keep an eye out for:

1. Triglyceride oil is the purest and most natural form of fish oil but not necessarily the purest. Additionally it is the easiest for the body to absorb.
2. Fish oil derived from ethyl ester is a natural semi-form. For purity it is refined and concentrated.
3. The synthetic form of fish oil is synthetic triglyceride oil which is the least absorbable. 

Here are two budget-friendly recommendations for natural fish oil for your dog:

• Made from wild anchovies and sardines taken from the cleanest waters Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Pets Supplement is made in the USA. There are many positive reviews on Amazon for this product since it comes in triglyceride form for optimal absorption.
• The Sea Pet Omega Plus Fish Oil with Natural Vitamin E contains concentrated human-grade omega-3 and 200 UIs of natural vitamin E per teaspoon sufficient for your pets body to use as an antioxidant. Sardines and anchovies are also used.

Best and safest alternatives to fish oil

Fish oil the actual source of fish oil is the safest and best alternative to fish oil. 

Whole food is better than food that has been isolated processed and mass-produced into pills. 

Dogs do not need large amounts of omega-3 in their diets and including oily fish at least once or twice a week is better than giving them any fish oil. 

Among the best oily fishes for dogs are salmon tuna mackerel anchovies whitefish herring cod whiting and carp. 

Omega-3 fats are essential for our health and these fish are considered to be very nutritious.

Conclusion

Dogs have tremendous health benefits from fish oil which is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. 

You can provide fish oil supplements to your dog as a way to ensure he gets omega-3 but make sure you consult your vet and follow the recommended dosage. 

This is because an excess of fish oil in your dogs diet can also lead to vitamin E deficiency among other issues. 

You should feed your dog high-quality food that is rich in vitamin E or give them vitamin E supplements to prevent this problem. 

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.

I Almost Killed My Dog With Fish Oil (Watch Video)