Should You Give Your Pets Fish Oil?

Are you wondering if your pet should be taking fish oil?  Fish oil can help your pet in so many ways such as help support healthy skin, coat, heart, brain, eyes and joints!!

Fish oil supplements are an ideal complement to your pet’s diet because they supply omega-3 fatty acids, which your dog or cat’s body cannot sufficiently produce on its own.  Still not sure?  Here are some of the top reasons why it’s important to give your dog or cat fish oil.

1. Burn Fat More Efficiently

The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements help improve the metabolism of a dog and cat’s body in a natural way and cause body fat to burn more quickly.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of EPA from fish oil supplements, the discomfort in your pet’s joints and muscles may actually decrease. What you will notice is that over time your pet will be more active and enjoy walks and games with you.

3. Improved Performance

Omega-3s in fish oil supplements improve the functioning of the lungs. For our active agility dogs, runners, Frisbee dogs, swimmers and mountain hiker companions, fish oil will help your dog keep up with you.

4. Healthy Skin and Coat

Like many fat supplements, it promotes a shiny, healthy coat, and reduces shedding. For cats, this may also mean fewer hairballs, since your cat won’t pick up as many loose hairs while grooming.

5. Optimized Immune System Functioning

A daily supplement of omega-3s from fish oil supplements help the white blood cells perform their anti-inflammatory function optimally. This helps your pet’s defense against diseases and other ailments by strengthening the immune system.

6. Better Heart Health

The omega-3s in fish oil supplements help keep cholesterol levels at a healthy level and help keep this vital muscle healthy.

7. Beneficial for Pregnant or Nursing Pets:

DHA, the other omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil, is important in brain and eye development in puppies and kittens. Giving fish oil to pregnant or nursing pets can benefit the babies once they're born.

But, before you run out to purchase fish oil....

Not all fish oil is created equal.    

Although there are very good products available, the downside is figuring out which fish oil supplement to choose for your family. Because the majority of fish in our oceans are contaminated, it stands to reason that oil from the fish are subject to the same contaminants.

The good news is that high-quality fish oil is processed several times to concentrate and purify the oil so that it is safe and effective. So if you are looking for a fish oil supplement, ask if the oil is tested for quality, purity and concentration by an independent third party, such as the IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards). And don't hesitate to ask if the results of those tests are published for everyone to see.

The IFOS Consumer Reports page can be found here.

If you want to learn about the fish oil that I use for my pets, contact me at healthyproducts4pets@gmail.com or you can find me on Facebook.   The fish oil that I use is 5-star rated by the IFOS for purity.

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