Fish oil has become immensely popular in the last few decades as it has been found out to be very effective in curing and controlling various diseases. The benefits of fish oil were highlighted, when it was found that the Greenland eskimos, despite consuming a high fat diet, had very low cases of heart diseases and other problems. After extensive research by medical experts it was found that the chemical composition of fish oil (fish being the staple food there) is the reason for this, and since then it has become popular worldwide.

Fish oil has innumerable health benefits for human beings, however now, it has also been found that fish oil is equally good for pets like cats and dogs. Fish oil for dogs is effective in many ways. Let's discuss its benefits by understanding the important constituents in it:
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
  • Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
These 3 important constituents of fish oil make it an obvious choice for maintaining your pet's dog health. The omega 3 fatty acids are a requirement for the proper functioning of the various cells the dog's body. The eyes, the brain, nervous system, hormones and organs all require adequate levels of fats in the body. The omega-3 fatty acids in the fish oil help to reduce the bad cholesterol levels and problems of blood pressures. EPA , the omega fatty acid has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It prevents the body from developing arthritis, cystitis etc. Fish oil is beneficial for dogs in ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. By strengthening the immune system, fish oil prevents the dogs from auto-immune related diseases. Besides these, the omega-3 fatty acids have been found to help the nervous system of dogs, leading to improved grasping power and intelligence while training and other purposes.

For Dogs with Cancer
Studies have revealed that dogs that are fed with high doses of fish oil have better control over cancer cell proliferation. The benefits of omega acids are phenomenal and dogs that have been fed by fish oil for considerable time, have shown reduced risk of developing cancer.

For Dog Allergies
Many dogs have allergies related to skin. Proper amount of fish oil can help the dogs to reduce the risk of dog allergies. It has been found that along with the fish oil, dogs may also need a supplement of GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid that helps the skin to become better. While treating dogs for allergies, with fish oil, you need to be patient as it may take 2 - 3 weeks to notice prominent changes on the skin.

For Dog Skin
Dry skin is a common problem among dogs and fish oil has been found to be very effective in curing the dry skin problems in dogs. The omega-3 constituents help the skin tissues to heal and improve the circulatory system of the dog. Fish oil is good for dogs as the omega 3s are easily broken by the digestive system of the dog.

Undoubtedly, fish oil is very beneficial for dogs. However, the amount of doses must be determined by an expert veterinarian. You can go for the check up of your dog and after analyzing its health, the veterinarian will advise proper dosage of fish oil in your dog's food. As we can see, there are various advantages of fish oil for pet dogs and it is recommended in their diets. The issue of side effects of fish oil in dog's diet have been rarely reported, however, as aforementioned, consulting a veterinarian and taking proper dog care is always safe.