Salmon oil is a product that, in recent years has become very fashionable in both human and canine food. It contains an outstanding ingredient – the famous omega 3 fatty acid.
It is true that its consumption offers benefits for your dog, but it is essential to take care of the proportion in which it is administered. Let’s see everything Salmon oil can do for your dog.
What is Salmon Oil?
Salmon oil is obtained from the tissues of this fish. Therefore, it can be consumed directly through eating salmon or as a food supplement in liquid or in capsules. Some dog foods include salmon oil among other ingredients.
The most prominent component of salmon oil is the essential fatty acid known as omega 3. Specifically, eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid or DHA are concentrated. It is polyunsaturated fats which makes it healthier for consumption.
They are called essential because the body is not able to produce them by itself, so they must be consumed through the diet. The essential fatty acids contained in salmon oil bring numerous benefits to the dog’s body.
Properties and Benefits of Salmon Oil
These are the main benefits that Salmon oil can offer us:
- Salmon oil contributes to cardiac and renal health by promoting blood flow.
- It has an anti-inflammatory action because it inhibits the synthesis of certain chemical mediators that participate in inflammatory processes. This is the property that is related to the treatment of dermatological problems.
- It also produces an anticoagulant effect.
- Reduces the risk of the appearance of tumors.
- It favors cerebral oxygenation, which is especially useful in elderly dogs that may present difficulties in this area.
- It improves the learning capacity of puppies and the results of dogs dedicated to the practice of sports.
Can Ingesting too Much Salmon Oil Harm Your Dog?
The problem with consuming salmon oil is that there is an imbalance between the intake of omega-3 and omega-6. If the amount of omega-6 exceeds that of omega-3, the dog can suffer inflammatory processes and arteriosclerosis.
That is why we insist on the importance of not giving your dog salmon oil on your own. Therefore, to avoid taking risks, you should always consult with the dog’s veterinarian.
What is the Proper Dose of Salmon oil?
Despite the benefits of salmon oil, if you exceed the dose appropriate to the size and characteristics of your dog, adverse effects such as diarrhea, nausea, gastrointestinal disorders, or obesity can occur.
On the other hand, there is no fixed-dose, since it depends on multiple factors related to the dog and the supplement itself.
The dose will also depend on the format of the supplement that your veterinarian indicates since you can choose it in capsules or in liquid.
The dose also depends on the quality of the product you acquire. Normally, each manufacturer will indicate on the package the dosage recommended for their product.
Even so, it is the veterinarian who must prescribe the most appropriate amount, taking into account the characteristics and peculiarities of your dog.
