Dog Community

Got Fish Oil

Posted : 8/1/2008 9:44:02 AM

So, I was in Walmart yesterday (which is a big feat with my back issues right now) and needless to say, they had a pretty limited choice of fish oils. Only two brands - but, 14,000 different formulations within each brand!!! UGH.... So, I stood there for what seemed like an eternity going over the labels. Many of them recommended that you take 2-3 capsules per day and I didn't want that. So, I ended up getting Spring Valley Brand, 1 per day, 1200 mg fish oil (Anchovy, Sardine) and soy. Combined EPA & DHA is 684. But, they are enteric coated and I'm wondering if this could be an issue with the dogs??? Does anyone know??

Once my back is better and I can walk more, I will go to a health food store and see what they've got and/or research it online first.

audkal

Posted : 8/4/2008 9:55:52 PM

I think that's the one I use and I was actually wondering the same thing. :-P

chelsea_b

Posted : 8/5/2008 1:32:57 AM

Sunshinegirl
But, they are enteric coated and I'm wondering if this could be an issue with the dogs??

Yep, sure can be. Dogs often can't digest the enteric coating. If you can poke the capsules with a pin or something and squeeze the oil onto their food, that'll work.

hdkutz

Posted : 8/5/2008 7:56:48 AM

There`s a lot of debate over enteric coated pills. Each coating dissolves at a different rate so some meds may get through and others may wind up in the brown pile in the front yard. Fish oil capsules IMHO are better, squeeze them on their food and as far as aspirin, use buffered.

erica1989

Posted : 8/5/2008 8:50:58 AM

make sure you add Vit. E with the fish oil!!!

I've got Derma-3 caps for Casey - which has fish oil/vit. E all combined in one capsule. Your vet should have them - they are made specifically for dogs. I just like these better since you don't have to mess with adding the right amount of fish oil vs. vit. e

Sunshinegirl

Posted : 8/7/2008 6:42:50 PM

Layla seemed to have a difficult time digesting it. Besides her poo being really dark and oily, she had a difficult time passing it and a big glop was stuck on her butt. It was a mess!!!!! Not to be gross, but I practically had to pull a portion of it out and it was stuck on her hair big time!!!!! Abbie seemed to have no difficulty. I tried pricking a capsule previously and squeezing it out onto their food, but it stunk so bad, they wanted nothing to do with it!!! Maybe I'll try the non-enteric coated type. :( I will ask my vet about the Derm-3.

brookcove

Posted : 8/7/2008 7:15:24 PM

Oh. Sorry, no one warned you to start out slow and work up to the full dose. Stick out tongue That's what happened, and it's likely to happen no matter what brand or form you use if you go right to the full dose right away. Start out at half dose and go from there. You'll probably have to get a capsule with a small amount.

willowchow

Posted : 8/7/2008 7:16:49 PM

erica1989
I've got Derma-3 caps for Casey - which has fish oil/vit. E all combined in one capsule.

Willow gets these too. She really likes to play with them like they are a very small ball before she eats it though, LOL!

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/7/2008 7:24:28 PM

Sunshinegirl
I tried pricking a capsule previously and squeezing it out onto their food, but it stunk so bad, they wanted nothing to do with it!!!

Part of the problem is that often the oil is rancid inside the capsules. my holistic vet has been kind of at war about this -- she told me before I even took any MYSELF to *** it and see if it smelled decent.

That's why I'm still using sardines and jack mackerel most of the time. It's natural and they love it. Anchovy paste is also good with a dollop on top.

You don't have to give Omega 3's every day. I rotate around -- sometimes I do ground flax, sometimes fish body oil, sometimes just plain fish.

jessies_mom

Posted : 8/7/2008 8:45:13 PM

I don't buy fish oil made for pets anymore unless it's have been tested for purity; seapet is a good brand;

http://www.seapet.com/Oil.htm;
Oils
All Sea Pet fish oils are molecularly distilled and are completely tested for
heavy metals, PCBs, furans and dioxin. They surpass
all international standards for purity.

All bottles of Sea Pet oils are flushed with nitrogen during the filling process
to reduce oxidation and to preserve the integrity and potency of the oils

Wild salmon oil is a good choice because it won't have pcb's and other contaminants.

I also use jack mackeral and sardines like Callie does. One ounce of jack mackerel has 385mg of omega 3; a can has 4970mg. A can of sardines has 1362mg.