[dalefelton450]

Like any other member of your family, you only want the best for your furry little friend, but did you know that your dog may be missing out on essential fatty acids? Even though modern pet foods are supposed to be well balanced, it is still apparent that most dogs are low on omega 3 and omega 6, which affect several parts of your dog’s healthy life. This problem is easily countered with the addition of fish oil for dogs to their usual diet. Nutri-Vet Alaskan Salmon Oil for dogs is just the product you will need, and is easily integrated into your dog’s day to day diet.

 

[Knute]

Hmmm......I've always had a nagging question in my head about this subject. Yes, I know the dogs need the Omega 3 and 6.

My question is about the source.

Are fish part of the dog's natural prey diet? Do wolves go fishing for salmon? I know bears fish for salmon during the salmon mating season.

 

[DaySleepers]

The 'natural' way wild canids get a healthy Omega 6:Omega 3 balance is by eating... wild prey. Largely ungulates, if we're looking to wolves as reference. Grain-fed meat animals have very high Omega 6 levels with very low Omega 3, when you really want a balanced ratio. Unfortunately, most of us don't have the means or the lifestyle to feed our dogs completely on hunted or grass-fed meats, so imo salmon oil is the next best thing, and has worked well for my boys. It's animal derived, when most other omega 3 supplements are from plants (flaxseed, mostly).

Though feral dog populations display more scavenging behaviors than pure hunting, and can digest starches somewhere around seven times better than modern wolves, so there's some difficulty in comparing domestic dog diets and modern wolf diets. And that's coming from someone who feeds raw.

 

[Sanne]

Yea I am not one to really look to wolves on how to feed my dogs (half raw feeder though!) They are dogs, not wolves, I don't personally believe my dogs need to eat the exact diet of a wolf. Region also matters a lot too on what is "natural". My country borders the North Sea, so before dog food, dogs ate a largely fish based diet here (actually us humans here do too ? we practically live off of fish). So I wouldn't call fish unnatural for dogs in general. Dogs are very adaptable and thrive on what is "normal" for the area.

I feed my dogs cooked salmon or haring when I can, other times I use fish oil. Works great for my dog who used to be very crusty lol

 

[Knute]

Sanne. Agreed. Dogs are not Wolves, but their teeth and digestive systems have very minor differences. Yes, I understand the diets will have regional influences.

Dog food was invented in the early 1900's by an American electrician after he observed dogs eating the dried biscuits that were discarded by sailors after he arrived in London by ship. Prior to that.....dogs were eating what humans would discard or what they could scavenge. Dogs have evolved with humans for the last 30,000 some odd years. Dry dog food has been around for a little over a century. After WW1, Ken-L-Ration was raising herds of horses to supply meat in their canned dog food.

Anyhow, back the Omega 3 and 6. I know my dog needs these supplements, but I'm not able to find a reliable source for a supplement. Is there a food source, other than fish, that could supply the requirement?

Sorry, I don't have confidence in the fish in this area. I have seen and smelled the pollution level in the lakes, rivers and ocean in this area. Can't imagine what is concentrated in the fish flesh. We don't even drink the tap water. We are at the bottom end of the Pearl River, the Pearl delta is only a few kilometers from here.

 

[Sanne]

Hmm that is tough! The only animal sources of Omega 3 I am aware of are fish and grass fed meat. Lamb is usually the highest in omega 3s compared to other meats, even when not fully grass fed.

And I agree, I would rather get no Omega 3 than regularly feed fish from polluted waters. It takes quite a lot of fish to equal the same amount of O3s in the average supplement. If you can find a fish oil supplement sourced from somewhere else that would probably be your best bet. I think if the only alternative is polluted fish, your dog would be better off without though.

 

[Knute]

Any thoughts on Alaskan krill oil in a liquid pump bottle?

I've been doing research on this topic. There is much information available on the web. Tough part is sifting Marketing blather from fact. I spoke to my Chinese Vet about dosage, advantages and disadvantages. Unfortunately, she was not able to help. She only knows what is told to her by the Pet Food sales rep..... Apparently, pet nutrition is low on the Veterinary college education in this country.

I have been able to cipher from the multitudes of websites that my dog should receive about 250-500 mg/day of krill oil. I will error on the low end and begin with 1/2 dose to monitor for side effects. BTW, dosage is dependent on dog weight and concentration of O6 & O3 in the supplement. Also, krill oil appears to have better characteristics than fish or salmon oil. My research indicates the plant based oils for O6 & O3 is not absorbed very well by dogs, but is absorbed by humans. All point to animal based oils for dogs and cats.

The pump bottles will deliver a measured amount per stroke so the dosage can be controlled. Most liquid-caps have too high a concentration for the size of my dog. It is also difficult to fraction a liquid-cap and I'm sure messy......then to preserve the unused portion. Chewables are also too high of concentration. I must be careful with the fatty acids in my dog's breed, he is susceptible to pancreatitis.

I can place an order online, ship to a colleague, they can transport on their next business trip. Shipping cost is a few beers and a dinner. Meanwhile, I hunt for a source here in China.

Yeah, definitely prefer to not supplement with fresh fish from the surrounding waters. I deal with pollution on a daily base, certainly don't want to be feeding it. Shoot, I don't eat fish from this area.

During my research I was able to answer my own questions about the natural diet of Wolves. The answer is yes, some artic wolves will hunt salmon alongside of bears during the salmon spawning season. Some wild dogs will consume fish, but it is not a normal prey item.

Hope this answers some questions besides my own.

All I can say is do your research, sift the facts, talk to your Vet, make your choice.

 

[hanksimon]

I agree. Just to add a little more detail:
1. Roughly 100 - 150mg [each] of EPA & EHA per 10lbs of weight of your dog. Human quality is good.
2. If the dog gets a good diet with some protein from meat sources, he should get adequate Omega-6.
3. Plant-based Omega-3 is short chain. Animal-based is long chain, which is what dogs and people need. People can convert short chain to long chain. I don't know about a dog's metabolism for the conversion.
4. I agree about pancreatitis and fat. But, I don't know if Omega-3 will contribute to pancreatitis?
5. Any animal source of long chain Omega-3 should be OK, but manufacturer purity to remove pollutants and mercury vary a lot. Personally, I use Dr. Sears Zone OmegaRX2, which is highly refined and very expensive.

However, I did use butter oil and Omega-3 supplements when I first got my rescue. I stopped, b/c my dog started to lick himself ... possibly due to mild diarrhea or clogged anal glands. Licking stopped immediately when I stopped dosing. I switched to food with Omega-3 and that seems fine. With the switched food, his coat shines and his energy increased. I could probably do more.

As someone else suggested, a little pasture-fed beef, lamb, or chicken as a daily topper on your dog's food may provide adequate Omega-3 supplement.