Fish oil supplements?

[IceyBlueSibes]

Can any of you guys give me some good advice on what oil supplements to use? I know fish oil is best, and was actually told that the products that are "made for dogs" are just to get extra money and I can buy the regular capsules that humans take...?

I'd like to start supplementing this in their diet. Anything else that might be beneficial to them (besides adding real meats of course)?

[calgal]

Human grade is the best. Try the salmon oil gel caps. It has Omega 3 and 6, and is exactly what dogs need. Watch out for itching. Some dogs are allergic to fish.

[GSD]

I'd get the human grade, less contaminants

[IceyBlueSibes]

Alright, thanks

calgal: If any of the dogs do infact show allergic signs to the fish oil, is there another type of oil I can use?

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

Icey, I buy whatever's on sale (human formula) at Walgreens or Rite Aid and they're just called "Fish Oil" with Omega 3 and 6s like Calgal mentioned. I wait for them to go on sale buy one get one free. I'm going to start buying them at Costco though as they're cheaper there. They come in 1,000mg capsules and I give Aysa 3 a day (I found that was the optimal amount to make his coat shiney and also read 3,000mg a day can be renoprotective which is important due to his apparent kidney issues). Trixie's eaten a pill of his with no ill effects like diarreah, but they say you should work them up to it so it doesn't go right through type thing. Aysa started with one capsule in the AM and one in the PM when he gets fed and then I gave 2 in the AM and one in the PM.

Salmon oil would probably work just as well if not better. I've thought of trying it instead but haven't done it yet. I thought about getting the liquid so I could give the little dogs less, too.

[Rivsky]

If your dogs aren't allergic to seafood you can try giving them sardines too - River absolutely loves them and I swear that's what helps keep his coat so shiny.

[gaddylovesdogs]

Fish oil is a great supplement, but it increases the need for vitamin E, so make sure you add that as well. 100 IU per 25 lbs. of weight.

[Sophie45]

Pitcairn recommends cold-pressed Cod Liver Oil, or also strongly recommends Udo's Choice, which you can find online and in many natural food stores.

[Sophie45]

Oh-I've also heard that bee pollen granules are really good for dogs, but don't know much about it personally.

[calgal]

Originally Posted by IceyBlueSibes

Alright, thanks

calgal: If any of the dogs do infact show allergic signs to the fish oil, is there another type of oil I can use?

Generally the signs of allergy is the itching. If they show this or other signs of allergy to the salmon oil then I'd suggest getting the Omega 3 and 6 by feeding food that contains these fatty acids.
Omega-6 is found in safflower, sunflower, corn, evening primrose and borage oils. (you can get evening primrose in gel caps as well, and is what I give my dogs). It is also found in poultry fat and pork fat (not much in beef or butter).
Omega 3 (besides fish oils) is in canola and flax oil, flax seeds, walnuts, soybeans, and freshly ground wheat germ. Dried beans (great northern, kidney, navy, and soybeans) are inexpensive sources of both omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids.

[calgal]

Originally Posted by Sophie45

Oh-I've also heard that bee pollen granules are really good for dogs, but don't know much about it personally.

Yes your right. The other fish source containing omega 3 is cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, and herring.
Fish that are very high in omega-6 and omega-3 are sardines, herring, lake trout and albacore tuna.

Go easy with feeding the fish till you know they have no problem with allergy.

Some of the supermarkets will even give or sell very cheap, scraps of the fish they display. Ask the butcher about getting some for the dogs and then just put in the 400 degree oven for a few minutes or broil for a few seconds if your not comfortable feeding raw.

[SpringerLover]

I've been told that dogs don't need any extra O6s... so I just give WalGreens FBO... regular kind. Bailey gets 1 a day (she also gets SeaMeal) and Buzz gets 4 or 5.

[oc_spirit]

I feed whichever brand is on sale at my local drugstore but I do try to look for the gel capsules (dunno if they come in anything else?). I feed one a day throughout the year and two a day throughout blowing season (cuts down on dander that they seem to get a bit of during this time).

I also feed 1 glucosomine capsule every day since I do pulling sports with my two. I have contemplated feeding Esther C but will probably hold off for now.