Fish oil comes from oily sea fish. That's the simple version of the answer, but behind that short sentence lies a journey from the sea to the bottle standing next to your dog's meal. The oil is extracted from the fish's fatty tissue and liver, and this is precisely where the valuable omega-3 fatty acids are found. The two most important ones are called EPA and DHA, and they are what give fish oil its place as one of the most widely used dietary supplements for both humans and dogs.

When we at ESSENTIAL FOODS work with oil from the sea, it's about bringing exactly those fatty acids into the dog's everyday life that a varied diet doesn't always deliver in sufficient quantities. To understand why the oil is so sought after, it's worth taking a closer look at which fish it comes from, how it is made, and what it means for your dog's coat, joints and daily wellbeing.

Which fish is fish oil made from?

Fish oil comes from oily fish species, precisely because it is in the oily fish that the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids are found in the greatest quantities. The classic sources are herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines and anchovies, and in addition there is cod, where the oil is traditionally extracted from the liver. What they all have in common is that they live in cold sea water and build up a rich store of fat from which the oil is extracted.

The reason it is sea fish and not plants that become real fish oil is the particular fatty acids. Plants such as flax and rapeseed contain a type of omega-3 called ALA, but the body converts only a very small part of it into the long-chain EPA and DHA that the dog can actually use. Only sources from the sea, that is fish and algae, deliver EPA and DHA directly and in the form the body puts to use straight away.

The distribution between EPA and DHA varies from species to species and depends, among other things, on where the fish lives and the season in which it is caught. That is also why the quality of a fish oil is closely linked to which fish lie behind it and how the oil has been handled along the way.

How is the oil extracted from the fish?

The path from sea to bottle begins with the catch of the oily fish itself. The fish is then gently pressed and heated so that the oil can be separated from the flesh and the solid parts. The oil is cleaned and filtered so that impurities are removed, and it ends up as a clear, golden oil that is either bottled in liquid form or packed into capsules.

A central point in the process is the refining, where the oil is cleaned of any unwanted substances that may accumulate in the sea's food chain. This is precisely why the smaller fish such as anchovies and sardines are often used, as they are low in the food chain and thus accumulate fewer impurities than the very large predatory fish. Quality fish oil is processed under controlled conditions, so that both purity and omega-3 content are ensured all the way through.

Omega-3 fatty acids are delicate and react to light and heat. That is why a good oil is preferably bottled in dark packaging, and it should be stored cool and away from sunlight, so that the fatty acids retain their quality until it ends up in your dog's bowl. It is the same care we put into our own oil, The Omega 3 Oil, which is designed as a daily supplement that pours pure sea omega-3 directly over the meal.

What does fish oil contain, and what do EPA and DHA do?

The main component of fish oil is the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). They are what most of the research revolves around, and what gives the oil its well-known properties. EPA and DHA are fatty acids that the body does not produce itself in sufficient quantities, and which must therefore be supplied through the diet or a supplement.

For the dog, they are linked in particular to a healthy and glossy coat, a well-functioning skin and support of the joints. DHA also plays a role in the development of the brain and vision, which makes omega-3 particularly interesting for growing puppies. If you want to delve into the puppy's everyday nutrition, we have gathered the advice in our carefully thought-out Puppy universe, where the guidance comes directly from ESSENTIAL FOODS.

Because omega-3 is present in many of the sea's ingredients, your dog can also get some of the fatty acids through the meal itself. Several of our fish-based meals, such as Essential Nautical Living, are composed with exquisite ingredients from the sea, so that some of the good stuff comes in that way every day. If you want to give extra focus to the joints, The Mobility Blend has been developed precisely to support the dog's mobility.

How much fish oil does the dog need?

The amount of fish oil depends on the dog's size, age and everyday life, and there is no single figure that suits everyone. A dog with a high activity level and a dog with a more moderate everyday life do not necessarily have the same needs, and the same applies to the growing puppy compared with the dog in its golden years. The most important thing is not the amount of oil itself, but the content of omega-3, that is how much EPA and DHA the oil actually delivers.

If your dog already gets a meal that is rich in fish, part of the need is covered through the diet, and a supplement then becomes an extra help rather than the entire foundation. If you are unsure how fish oil fits into your particular dog's daily feeding, our nutrition advisers are ready by phone, chat or email to help you find the right balance between meal and supplement. They advise on feeding, food and nutrition, while questions about health belong with your veterinarian.

If you want to make omega-3 a fixed part of everyday life, you'll find oil and supplements gathered in our collection of daily dietary supplements, where the products are chosen with the dog's daily wellbeing in mind. In this way, a few drops of oil from the sea become a small but well-considered part of the meal you set out every day, and a direct line back to the oily fish where it all begins.