Which oil should I give my dog? Coconut oil or salmon oil? The truth is, both oils have nutritional assets to offer your dog.
Salmon Oil
Salmon oil, a long chain fatty acid, is an Omega-3 polyunsaturated fat. Fish oils are comprised of essential fatty acids EPA and DHA. Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that dogs must get from their diet because they are required for good health but cannot be synthesized by animals (or humans). So it is important then to supplement your dog’s diet with these beneficial fats.
Salmon Oil has proven to support older dogs as well as puppies. Because DHA is a building block of tissue in the brain and retina of the eye, younger dogs are helped by promoted brain and eye development. Older dogs can benefit from salmon oil’s anti-inflammatory abilities. Studies show that Omega-3 fatty acids may help dogs with osteoarthritis by improving mobility and reducing inflammation and joint pain.
Due to the ability of Omega 3’s to improve immune function, adding salmon oil reduces skin allergies and allows for fewer problems with dry, itchy skin. Because it nourishes the skin and coat, it decreases shedding. Perhaps the feature you will find most noticeable within a very short time is the healthy skin and glistening coat of your pet.
Omega 3’s not only improve immune function but also regulate the immune system for dogs with allergies or autoimmune disease.
Salmon oil may help against heart disease and cancer. EPA and DHA are converted into hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which regulate cell activity (helps promote cancer cell differentiation) and healthy cardiovascular function (lowers blood pressure and triglycerides).
Omega 3’s provide support for dogs with kidney disease. Additionally, they aid in the prevention of diabetic neuropathy. Also, salmon oil helps achieve weight loss in overweight dogs. And energy and stamina are renewed by the use of fish oil.
Fish oil should be protected from light, heat, and air. Store liquid fish oil in the refrigerator. Purchase amounts that can be used within two months to avoid rancidity.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil, a medium-chain fatty acid, is a saturated fat and contains mainly lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid. Saturated fats are stable and not prone to oxidation or free-radical formation. For years, we’ve been told that saturated fats are bad for us and for our pets but it’s now accepted and known they are indeed beneficial. To date, there are over 1,500 studies proving coconut oil to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet.
Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fats, which actually do not harm the blood lipid profile like previously thought. Saturated fats raise HDL (the good) cholesterol and change the LDL cholesterol to a benign subtype.
The fatty acids and breakdown products in coconut oil can kill harmful pathogens, like bacteria, viruses and fungi, potentially helping to prevent infections.
Coconut Oil produces longer sustained energy and increases metabolism. In dogs, the medium chain fatty acids (MDFAs) in coconut oil balance the thyroid, helping overweight dogs lose weight and helping sedentary dogs feel energetic.
Coconut oil is easy to digest. It may help improve your dog’s bad breath!
Coconut oil does not need to be refrigerated. It is very stable with a shelf life of at least two years.
When it comes to salmon oil and coconut oil, we can’t suggest one is better than the other. They both contain different types of fat with different properties. We recommend using both, but not too much. Perhaps give the two oils at different feeding times. Be sure to follow dosage instructions by the manufacturer. Too much oil can cause weight gain, loose stool, and diarrhea; also, can lead to a vitamin E deficiency if you don’t supplement with additional vitamin E. Because fish oil is a natural blood thinner and anticoagulant, the supplement decreases the formation of blood clots. If your pet is going to have surgery, it’s best to stop the oil for a week or two before and after the operation.
And all oils are not created equally. If the coconut oil is partially hydrogenated, it is just as harmful as other highly processed oils containing trans fats. And refined oil is extracted from chemically bleached and deodorized coconut meat.
Look for Virgin coconut oil, removed from the fruit of fresh mature coconuts without using high temperatures or chemicals.
Look for Salmon Oil from clean and sustainably fished sources. It should be fully certified to be 100% pure; non-GMO; free of PCBs, heavy metals, pesticides, and dioxins, ensuring care, freshness, and quality all the way from the sea to your pet’s food bowl.
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