Fish oil as a dietary supplement for dogs and cats
This fish oil is a liquid supplement for dogs and cats, not for humans. It delivers the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which fish absorb through their food, and which most dry foods contain too little of to cover a full requirement. You pour the oil directly over the daily portion, and the animal takes it in along with the food. The product comes in three sizes: THE OMEGA 3 OIL 500ML for a smaller dog or a cat, THE OMEGA 3 OIL 1L for larger or multiple animals, and THE OMEGA 3 OIL, 1L x 3 for those who give the oil regularly all year round and would like to bring home several bottles at a time. If you choose the size based on how many grams you actually use per week, you avoid the oil sitting too long and going rancid.
The difference between fish oil and omega-3
Omega-3 is the name of a group of fatty acids, not a single substance. The most important ones for dogs and cats are EPA and DHA, which are found in the greatest amounts in fish oil from oily fish. A third omega-3 fatty acid, ALA, is found in plant oils such as flaxseed, but dogs and cats convert only a very small part of it into EPA and DHA. That is why fish oil is a more direct supplement than a plant oil: the animal gets the active fatty acids that the body can use straight away, instead of a precursor that first has to be converted. So when we talk about 'fish oil', it is the content of EPA and DHA that determines how much omega-3 the animal actually gets, not the number of millilitres of oil.
What fish oil does for coat, skin, joints and circulation
EPA and DHA are part of cell membranes throughout the body, and that is why a supplement can be noticed in several places. Many people give the oil for the sake of the coat and skin: a dry, dull coat or itchy, flaky skin is often the first thing owners react to, and omega-3 supports the skin barrier and a glossy coat. EPA also has a dampening effect on inflammatory reactions in the body, which is why fish oil is often recommended for older dogs and dogs with stiff or sore joints. DHA is a building block in the brain and retina and is therefore of particular importance for developing puppies and for pregnant and nursing bitches. If you want to combine omega-3 and joint support in one, there is the mobility blend, which is composed with the joints specifically in mind.
How to dose according to the animal's weight
Dosing of fish oil follows body weight, not a fixed amount for everyone. A small cat needs far less than a large breed, and too much fat on top of the food adds unnecessary calories and can loosen the stools. So follow the dosing instructions on the bottle and base it on the animal's weight rather than guessing. Better to start at the low end and build up slowly over the course of a week, so the stomach gets used to the extra fat. If the animal already gets a food with a high content of omega-3, the supplement should be smaller than if the base food is lean on fish fat. If the dog is overweight or on a weight-loss diet, the oil counts towards the overall fat budget, and here it fits with a low-fat plan such as Contour - Kibble.
How long it takes before you see a difference
Fish oil is not something that works from one day to the next. The fatty acids have to be built into the cells before the effect shows, and on skin and coat it typically takes several weeks, often six to eight, before the difference is clear. A glossier coat and less itching are among the visible signs, while the effect on joints and general condition can take even longer and is harder to read with the naked eye. This argues for giving the oil regularly rather than in short periods. If you see no change after a couple of months with correct dosing, it is worth reviewing the food's overall composition with your vet rather than simply increasing the oil.
How to avoid rancid oil and poor quality
Omega-3 fatty acids are delicate and go rancid when exposed to air, light and heat. Rancid oil smells sharp and unpleasant, and most dogs and cats reject it before you even notice yourself. So store the bottle cool and dark, close it properly after use, and buy a size you use up within a reasonable time. This is also the reason to choose the size based on consumption rather than always taking the largest: a cat that gets a couple of millilitres a day takes a long time to empty a one-litre bottle. Quality also depends on how pure the oil is, that is, that it is free of heavy metals and made from fish, and that the content of EPA and DHA is high enough that a sensible dose actually covers the requirement.
Fish oil together with food that already contains fish
Several of Essential Foods' recipes are based on fish and therefore have a natural content of omega-3 before you even add oil. Nautical Living - Kibble is a fish-based dry food, and the entire FISH range brings together meals and treats where fish is the mainstay. If you already feed fish-based, the oil works as a targeted extra supplement that you can turn up and down as needed, for example during shedding periods or with an older dog. If, on the other hand, you feed a food with a different protein source, the oil makes a bigger difference, because it adds fatty acids that the base food does not contribute to the same degree on its own.
