Thinking about adding a fish oil supplement to your puppy’s diet? The experts here at Angell Petco explain the benefits of these supplements and answer the question on everybody’s mind: “is salmon oil good for puppies?”
Of all the fish oils, salmon oil is a great supplement for your dog’s diet. Whether you have recently had a litter or you’ve just taken home a new puppy, you should consider the benefits of salmon oil for your puppy’s healthy development.
Is Salmon Oil Good for Puppies? Why Use Salmon Oil for Puppies?
Fish is highly nutritious for puppies and mature dogs alike. Much like how humans take fish oil supplements, the benefits extend to canines.
Salmon oil generates many positive long-term benefits for puppies and can make a significant difference to a puppy’s wellbeing after just a few weeks of use. Some of the key benefits are:
- Salmon oil helps brain and eye development in puppies, helping your dog to learn more from you and develop good eyesight.
- It helps growing joints, meaning you have a happier, healthier dog that is eager to go on walks.
- It enhances the puppy’s immune system and its response to vaccinations, helping your puppy create a higher number of antibodies after being vaccinated.
- Anti-inflammatory properties promote a healthy coat and skin, protecting your puppy’s skin from irritation –– an inflammatory response to allergens and irritants –– and giving your dog a smooth, glossy coat.
- Salmon oil has a higher yield of Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 than other fish or other plant-based oils — dogs can’t produce these naturally, but are highly important for a puppy’s early development.
- Our 100% pure Scottish Salmon Oil is of the highest quality and is free from additives (vitamin E is commonly added to substandard salmon oil to stabilise it).
- It’s an easy, hassle-free way to improve your dog’s health and wellbeing. Simply pour a small amount of oil over your puppy’s regular food and mix it in.
- You’ll see results quickly — your dog’s coat and energy can noticeably improve in as little as two weeks.
Salmon Oil, Omega-3 and Fatty Acids
Salmon oil is particularly rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids — as well as Omega-9. These properties help to support your puppy’s immune system, heart health and cognitive function –– all are essential to your puppy’s early development –– with Omega-3 being the key compound.
Fish oils contain different kinds of Omega-3, but there are two main “long-chain” fatty acid compounds:
- EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
- DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
Our high-quality Scottish Salmon Oil contains the highest levels of these compounds. Regular cod liver oil and other fish oils have both of these but in far lower levels. They are typically higher in other vitamins — such as vitamin A — which is unlikely to be required when there is a sufficient amount in a dog’s normal diet.
DHA and EPA also help to reduce inflammation by lowering histamines that are released from white blood cells, preventing your dog from needing to itch and scratch. These properties have another positive effect –– they help form a layer of moisture that protects the surface of the skin from future irritation, so your puppy will be doubly protected.
At a molecular level, these Omega-3 acids are important to the structural components of healthy cell membranes. Omega-3 fatty acids also decrease the potential development of skin allergies and kidney disease later in life. All the more reason to invest in your puppy’s early development!
Why Not Other Fish Oils or Plant-Based Oils?
Plant-Based Oil
As well as “long-chain” fatty acids, there are also “short-chain” fatty acids found in the Omega-3 group — the main compound being ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). These are found in plants such as flaxseed, which is commonly used for humans as a plant-based alternative to fish oil. Although they are beneficial to human and canine health, ALA fatty acids have less potent health benefits than EPA and DHA. Your puppy would need to eat a lot more to gain the same benefits as it would from fish in much smaller portion sizes.
Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil is made from the pressed liver of the cod (which filters toxins), whereas our 100% Scottish Salmon Oil is made from the whole pressed fish — ensuring purer and more efficient nutrient delivery. The quality of the fish oil is also very important. Higher quality oils — like ours — contain fewer impurities than lower quality oils. This means they will taste a lot better for your puppy, as they have less of a rancid taste than lower quality brands.
How To Use Salmon Oil
Salmon oil is particularly good for puppies as it is very easy to administer: simply pour a small amount of oil over your puppy’s food and mix it in. Angell Petco’s 100% Scottish Salmon Oil comes with a flip-top cap for easy dispensing, making the whole process a lot easier to manage on a daily basis.
Dogs love the taste of fish, so they will no doubt enjoy the added flavour with their meals. For smaller breeds, as little as one teaspoon per day should be enough for your puppy to reap the benefits. For medium-sized dogs, two teaspoons per day will be plenty. For larger dogs, three teaspoons per day should be effective.
Our Scottish Salmon Oil can be ordered in bulk, meaning you’ll never run out. It can also be ordered on a subscription basis if you prefer (from four weeks to 12 weeks) so your supply will arrive as and when you need it, without the hassle of reordering. We guarantee delivery in two working days, but 88% of our customers receive their parcel the next day.
Angell Petco 100% Scottish Salmon Oil
At Angell Petco, our 100% Scottish Salmon Oil is made from the finest fresh Scottish salmon. Not only is it hypoallergenic — with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives — and exceptionally rich in Omega 3, but a little goes a long way. Just a few drops of salmon oil on your puppy’s food can give them the best start in life. The results are often noticeable in just two to four weeks!
IMPORTANT: You should never feed your dog raw fish, as it can contain parasites and be extremely harmful. Stick to natural fish supplements, such as those found in Angell Petco’s Superior Puppy dog food.
Disclaimer: As with anything that can affect your dog’s health, speak to your veterinarian about supplementing your dog’s diet with fish oils before proceeding.
