Salmon Oil for Cats and Dogs: Benefits, Dose and Side Effects

Omega-3 is one of the things customers search for most on our shop, usually because a cat's coat has gone dull or a dog will not stop scratching. Salmon oil is one of the richest natural sources of the two omega-3 fats that matter for pets, EPA and DHA. It is a genuinely useful supplement, but it is not a cure-all, and the dose matters more than the brand.

What Salmon Oil Can Help With

• Skin and coat. The most common reason people use it, and the most visible result: a softer, glossier coat and less flaky, dry skin. Expect to wait a few weeks to a couple of months of daily use before judging it.
• Itchy skin. Omega-3 calms inflammation, so it is often part of a vet's plan for allergic skin. It supports the treatment; it does not replace finding the cause, which is often fleas, food or the environment. Our guide to dog skin problems covers the usual suspects.
• Stiff joints. Older dogs with arthritis are where the evidence is strongest. It works slowly, alongside weight control and whatever the vet prescribes.
• Dry seasons. Pakistan's dry winters, and long hours in air-conditioning in summer, leave many pets with dry skin; this is when a supplement is most noticeable.

How to Start It

Every product has a different strength, so follow the dosing directions on the bottle for your pet's weight. Then start lower: give a quarter to half of the label dose for the first week, mixed into food, and build up over two weeks. Starting at the full dose is the usual cause of loose stools.

Brilliant Salmon Oil 100 ml (Rs. 1,800) is the salmon oil we stock; its dosing directions are on the bottle.

Side Effects to Watch For

• Loose stools or vomiting when it is started too fast. Go back to a smaller dose.
• Fishy breath. Common and harmless.
• Weight gain. Oil is concentrated calories; on a pet that is already heavy, reduce food slightly.
• Slower blood clotting at high doses. Tell your vet your pet takes it before any surgery or dental work.

Pets with a history of pancreatitis, a bleeding disorder, or on blood-thinning medicine should only start it on a vet's advice.

Salmon Oil Is Not Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil is rich in vitamins A and D as well as omega-3. Given regularly at fish-oil amounts it can push those vitamins to harmful levels, so the two are not interchangeable. Human fish-oil capsules are dosed for an adult person and some contain added vitamins or flavourings; ask a vet before using them for a pet.

Storing It in Pakistan's Heat

Fish oil goes rancid with heat, light and air, and rancid oil does more harm than good. Close the bottle tightly after every use, keep it in a cool, dark cupboard, and follow the label on whether to refrigerate after opening. If it starts to smell sharp or paint-like rather than simply fishy, throw it away.

Food Comes First

A complete and balanced food already provides the essentials, and many premium foods include fish oil; check the label before adding more. A supplement works best on top of good nutrition, so if the coat is poor, look at the bowl first: our cat food and dog food ranges list the brands we stock with current prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give my cat or dog human fish oil capsules?

Not without a vet's dose. Human capsules are made for a 70 kg adult, and some contain added vitamins or flavourings.

How long does salmon oil take to work on the coat?

Usually a few weeks to a couple of months of daily use.

Is salmon oil safe for kittens and puppies?

Ask a vet first. Growth formulas already contain the fats young animals need, and the dose for a small animal is very small.

Can salmon oil replace flea treatment for an itchy pet?

No. If fleas are the cause, the itching continues until the fleas are treated; see our flea and tick guide.