Omega 3 For Dogs is often recommended as a supplement for our beloved pets because of the omega-3 fatty acids. However, there are questions about the safety of this fish oil for family pets because there is no conclusive evidence that it actually does help the body. For example, one study done by the University of Wisconsin suggests that high doses can lead to liver failure in older dogs. But that’s not even close to the amounts of PCBs, dioxins, and other contaminants that are constantly being dumped into our water supplies. Many of these contaminants mimic estrogen in human bodies. So while estrogen may be beneficial to us, it could be harmful to our canines.

PCBs have been linked to various cancers, including renal failure, liver disease, and multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of white blood cells. And although we may rarely see these kinds of cancers in our pets, they are still a concern. Fish oil may contain significant amounts of dietary fats that are not good for human consumption, especially when they increase cancer risk.

In general, we may think of fish as very low in fat and therefore good for us. But fish contains both fatty acids and cholesterol. And the higher the levels of EPA and DHA, the better it may be for your pet dog. Like all fats, EPA helps protect membranes. But too much of it can lead to inflammation and chronic illness, including heart disease.

The next question is, how much fish oil should you give your pet? Most experts agree that at least 15% of his or her diet should come from oily fish oil. It’s also advisable to give your canine something besides fish oil. Some vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy products contain the same fatty acids found in fish oil.

One way to make sure your pet gets all the fatty acids he or she needs is to choose quality ingredients. Many pet foods actually contain only one or two fatty acids. This means that your pet is getting a tiny bit of something that could be healthy. But it’s still considered to be poor quality. By the way, this same situation applies to commercial lotions and body washes, and any skin products containing alcohol. They may sound good, but they are not good for dogs.

The best choice for these products is to find a product that contains the right combination of fatty acids. The kinds of fatty acids that you want your canine companion to get are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosenecoylmethane (DMO), and linoleic acid (Lauric Acid). You can find these fatty acids in several products. Some are better than others.

For example, one supplement from Nature’s Way uses rancid fish oil and uses the EPA in large doses. This supplement claims to be more effective at supporting the proper balance of vitamins and minerals in your dog’s body than other commercial supplements. Another company, I’ve mentioned before, uses polar bear oil extract in their supplement. The supplement claims to prevent canine health problems like flatulence, diarrhea, coat condition, liver disease, heart disease, and cancer.

You must use a high-quality supplement like this one. A supplement with just the EPA and some linoleic acid is useless for a dog. Your dog needs the full combination of fatty acids. It would be in your best interest to check out the entire line of supplements by now and pick the best one for your dog.