Add This Supplement to Your Dog’s Diet for a Nutritional Boost!
We love having a multi-generational dog family! Our oldest boy, Jackson, is 12; our weimeraner, Finley, is in his adolescent phase, and our youngest Miles, is still just a puppy. As you probably know by now, we adjust each of our dogs’ meals with supplements that address their unique needs. For each of our boys, we use a blend of our favorite Mercola supplements to keep them active and healthy. One supplement we use for all of our boys is fish oil.
You may even take fish oil for yourself! Commonly found in both liquid and capsule form, fish oil is a supplement that provides a whole host of health benefits for those who consume it. For dogs, fish oil provides support for the heart, skin and coat, joints, and immune systems.
Why is Fish Oil So Great?
Fish oil is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are “good” polyunsaturated fats that support both the body and the brain. Dogs and humans alike can’t produce omega-3 fatty acids on their own, which is why taking a supplement is critical for their overall health and wellness. Fish oil can be used as a temporary booster or as part of a comprehensive health and wellness plan for your dog. As with any new supplements or diets, be sure to consult with your veterinarian before you start giving your dog fish oil.
How Does Fish Oil Benefit My Dog?
As we mentioned above, fish oil offers a plethora of nutritional benefits to dogs and humans alike. Often, if a supplement promises to help too many different systems at once, the professionals dismiss it as snake oil, but the benefits of fish oil are easy to see once they’ve been added to your dog’s diet.
Fish oil is one supplement that can benefit a dog from puppyhood all the way through its senior years. For puppies, this supplement helps direct proper development of the brain and eyes. It helps your dog maintain cognitive function throughout adulthood. For seniors, it has been shown to help combat canine arthritis and chronic kidney disease. At every age, it also helps improve the appearance and quality of their skin and coat and wards away flakes and itchiness.
What Should I Look For in Fish Oil for My Dog?
According to the AKC, fish oil is commonly available in 3 varieties: natural triglyceride oil, ethyl ester oil, and synthetic triglyceride oil. Each variety comes with its own benefits and setbacks that affect ease of absorption and bioavailability of nutrients. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend the right type of supplement for your dog based on their lifestyle, size, age, and breed.
For dogs who refuse to take supplements, our bone broth is a miracle worker. Simply mix in the proper supplements with your dog’s food and pour a little bone broth over the top. Our dogs love it and eat all their supplements without batting an eyelash! If you give fish oil to your dog, leave us a message on our Facebook page!