topic Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules? in Community Chat

Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

CalminHeart — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 16:10:32 GMT

Hi. My dog has contact allergies.....primarily on his feet since they are what have contact with grass and dirt. Someone told me to give him fish oil capsules (like people would take) and they'd help his skin, fur and contact allergies. Have you ever done that? If so, am I correct you go for a low dose? What else have you done? Thanks!

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

Another new name Sue — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 17:33:27 GMT

I have given the capsules from the vet called Free Form Snip Tips (kinda expensive) and I also have given the Alaska Natural Wild Salmon Oil, in a squirt bottle (Amazon). It's difficult to say if it has helped my dog's itching or not, but it's definitely not hurting anything, and the Alaska Natural is affordable. As for dosage, follow the instructions on the container.

You could ask your vet for a medicated shampoo and wash his feet at the end of the day or end of the time he's outside. I use Keratolux, but I'm sure there are many others. Why do you think it's a problem with his feet? Does he bite his feet?

Is your pup a terrier? Mine is a Westie, and they are known for awful itchy skin problems. There is a Westie website with a lot of good information about treating skin problems which could be helpful to you whether or not you have a Westie. Food allergies could be in play for your dog. http://www.westierescueoc.com/the_westie_diet

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

gazelle77 — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 02:05:11 GMT

Yes. Three 1000 MG soft gels.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

CalminHeart — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 12:04:01 GMT

On 9/13/2014 happygal said:
I have given the capsules from the vet called Free Form Snip Tips (kinda expensive) and I also have given the Alaska Natural Wild Salmon Oil, in a squirt bottle (Amazon). It's difficult to say if it has helped my dog's itching or not, but it's definitely not hurting anything, and the Alaska Natural is affordable. As for dosage, follow the instructions on the container.

You could ask your vet for a medicated shampoo and wash his feet at the end of the day or end of the time he's outside. I use Keratolux, but I'm sure there are many others. Why do you think it's a problem with his feet? Does he bite his feet?

Is your pup a terrier? Mine is a Westie, and they are known for awful itchy skin problems. There is a Westie website with a lot of good information about treating skin problems which could be helpful to you whether or not you have a Westie. Food allergies could be in play for your dog. http://www.westierescueoc.com/the_westie_diet

Hi. Thanks for the info. I'll check out the website. Yes, he's part terrier. I do rinse off his feet after we've been outside and it has helped just a little.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

shamalamadingdong4 — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 21:14:40 GMT

Yes, I give my dogs one 1200 mg fish oil capsule a day.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

marmot24 — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 18:33:36 GMT

I also have a terrier with allergies. I give him one fish oil capsule, along with one half teaspoon of flax seed. It helps somewhat, but I still usually have to take him to the vet if the itching gets bad. If we can get thru the next two months, we should be fine.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

chickenbutt — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 18:51:27 GMT

Maybe I need to be doing this, also. His food has it in it but maybe it's not enough. I don't want to go crazy on supplements, but if it's appropriate I'm for it.

He is a 90# golden retriever and he does get Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM, per doctor's recommendation. He has a proclivity for ligament pulls and we are afraid he will end up with a tear. I started doubling the Glucosamine/etc, in hopes that it will help to preclude another incident.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

colliemom4 — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 20:54:18 GMT

I've thought about trying this. I'm going to go ahead and do it now that I've read these posts.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:55:01 GMT

Like chickenbutt, I have a big Golden Retriever. I give him a dog multi-vitamin and glucosamine & condroitin every day, but never considered fish oil. I'm really devoted to him and try to do everything I know of that's good for him. If he should have the fish oil, I'm all for it. I'm going to get him started on this.

Thanks for bringing this up. I wouldn't have known otherwise.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

free-spirit — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:05:47 GMT

You MUST use a fish oil intended for a dog. DO NOT use human capsules.

Dogs need extra vitamin E when taking fish oil capsules or it can cause an imbalance in their bodies.

I learned this is a cancer forum when Daisy was battling the beast.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

pommom — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:53:16 GMT

The vet recommended olive oil for skin irritation and allergies. Works like a charm. One tsp w/meals.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

chickenbutt — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 17:42:14 GMT

Free-spirit & Pommom - Thanks for the valuable information! I might try giving him a little olive oil. I hope Jean Louise sees what you've written, too!

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

qualitygal — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 18:18:58 GMT

I'm sorry but ever time I read this it's like "dog-fish", oil capsules. I do every time I go by it!!

LOL

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

DoubleDog2 — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 16:24:16 GMT

On 9/19/2014 free-spirit said:
You MUST use a fish oil intended for a dog. DO NOT use human capsules.

Dogs need extra vitamin E when taking fish oil capsules or it can cause an imbalance in their bodies.

I learned this is a cancer forum when Daisy was battling the beast.

Many human fish oil supplements also contain vitamin E. The concern for imbalance is only if the dog is taking large doses of fish oil. My dog is on a therapeutic dose which is 1000mg per 10 pounds of body weight. Fish oil is good for the heart, kidneys and joints; it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 19:04:08 GMT

On 9/19/2014 chickenbutt said:
Free-spirit & Pommom - Thanks for the valuable information! I might try giving him a little olive oil. I hope Jean Louise sees what you've written, too!

I just made it back to this discussion.
I feed my boy a decent grain free dog food, but also supplement with a canine multivitamin and canine glucosamine & chondroitin (because the breed can be prone to his issues). I started giving him people Omega-3 fish oil, but when I read the comment a few posts up, I ordered a canine version. Guess what? It's got the same ratios as the one my DH and I take. I hadn't read anywhere about the Vitamin E requirement before this. He's a healthy 2 1/2 yr. old, but I want to keep him that way...forever, if I could. I don't object to the addition of Vitamin E, and will likely start giving it to him just because it sounds like a good idea, for the antioxidant benefits. One thing I have noticed...he's always had a soft coat except for this coarse area on his back. Since getting him on the Omega-3, he's even softer, including that area of his back.

Glad I found this discussion. I want to do everything I can for the best health possible for my sweet boy.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

mousiegirl — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 20:42:39 GMT

On 9/13/2014 happygal said:
I have given the capsules from the vet called Free Form Snip Tips (kinda expensive) and I also have given the Alaska Natural Wild Salmon Oil, in a squirt bottle (Amazon). It's difficult to say if it has helped my dog's itching or not, but it's definitely not hurting anything, and the Alaska Natural is affordable. As for dosage, follow the instructions on the container.

You could ask your vet for a medicated shampoo and wash his feet at the end of the day or end of the time he's outside. I use Keratolux, but I'm sure there are many others. Why do you think it's a problem with his feet? Does he bite his feet?

Is your pup a terrier? Mine is a Westie, and they are known for awful itchy skin problems. There is a Westie website with a lot of good information about treating skin problems which could be helpful to you whether or not you have a Westie. Food allergies could be in play for your dog. http://www.westierescueoc.com/the_westie_diet

The white dogs with pink skin have the worst issues. I once had a Gr. Pyrenees, and he was constantly chewing his skin and causing hot spots. I didn't know that terriers in general had itchy skin.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

mousiegirl — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 20:44:15 GMT

On 9/19/2014 free-spirit said:
You MUST use a fish oil intended for a dog. DO NOT use human capsules.

Dogs need extra vitamin E when taking fish oil capsules or it can cause an imbalance in their bodies.

I learned this is a cancer forum when Daisy was battling the beast.

I doubt it. The majority of meds used on animals, if not all, are human meds.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

mousiegirl — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 20:47:00 GMT

On 9/19/2014 pommom said:
The vet recommended olive oil for skin irritation and allergies. Works like a charm. One tsp w/meals.

I have heard this also. Is it one tsp twice a day, as mine eat twice a day, or just once a day?

ETA: Small dogs, as with cats, should only have a few drops a day, learned this by googling.

Re: Does anyone give their dog fish oil capsules?

chickenbutt — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 21:37:31 GMT

On 10/2/2014 JeanLouiseFinch said:
On 9/19/2014 chickenbutt said:
Free-spirit & Pommom - Thanks for the valuable information! I might try giving him a little olive oil. I hope Jean Louise sees what you've written, too!

I just made it back to this discussion.
I feed my boy a decent grain free dog food, but also supplement with a canine multivitamin and canine glucosamine & chondroitin (because the breed can be prone to his issues). I started giving him people Omega-3 fish oil, but when I read the comment a few posts up, I ordered a canine version. Guess what? It's got the same ratios as the one my DH and I take. I hadn't read anywhere about the Vitamin E requirement before this. He's a healthy 2 1/2 yr. old, but I want to keep him that way...forever, if I could. I don't object to the addition of Vitamin E, and will likely start giving it to him just because it sounds like a good idea, for the antioxidant benefits. One thing I have noticed...he's always had a soft coat except for this coarse area on his back. Since getting him on the Omega-3, he's even softer, including that area of his back.

Glad I found this discussion. I want to do everything I can for the best health possible for my sweet boy.

Hi JLF! Oh wow, I've been giving my guy the Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM that my husband brings home from Whole Foods. I wonder if it's as good a choice as using one that is made especially for canines. I just hope he doesn't end up with a tear, because his doctor said that would be a $6,000 operation. But mainly, I just want him to be healthy and happy.

Actually, before this thread, I never even knew there were separate canine versions of supplements. I just thought the only adjustment would be by dose.

One thing I like about this particular one is that they are capsules so I can pull them apart and empty the powder on his dry food at breakfast time. Then I add a spoonful of pumpkin puree, a splash of warm/hot water, and stir it up well.