Your dog ate fish oil pill, and now you don’t know about to do about it. Is it going to hurt your dog or is it fine? Keep reading to find out if you should be concerned.
Dog Ate Fish Oil Pill – What to Do About It
If your dog ate fish oil pill, your dog is most likely going to be okay. Many dog owners give their dog fish oil supplements to support their pup’s overall health.
The only time when you should be concerned about your dog eating fish oil pills is when he/she has consumed a lot of them.
What Happens When a Dog Overdoses on Fish Oil Pills
According to PetMD, a dog should only consume 20-55 mg of EPA and DHA per pound of a dog’s body weight. An overdose of fish oil or high doses of it can cause serious illness, according to Dr. McCullough of Fetch Pet. The most common medical illnesses that occur from fish oil overdose are liver disease, pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Symptoms of Fish Oil Overdose in Dogs
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Delayed Wound Healing
- Sleepiness
- Fishy Odor Breath or Skin
- Itchy Skin
- Oily Coat
- Skin Flakes
If your dog begins to suffer from any of the above symptoms after consuming fish oil, please reach out to your veterinarian immediately.
About Fish Oil
Since your dog ate fish oil pill, you might as well learn about the benefits of it. Of course, consuming one fish oil pill won’t do much, but you may want to start your pup on a regimen after learning about how much it can support a healthy mind and body.
Fish oil contains two omega3s:
- docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
- eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Omega-3 is a fatty acid that comes from fatty fish. Examples of fatty fish are salmon, mackerel, trout, and shellfish.
When Dogs Don’t Get Enough Omega 3
Fish oil should be a normal part of a dog’s diet. Since many dogs (and humans) eat a lot of processed foods, they don’t consume enough omega fatty acids.
Deficiencies in omega fatty acids can lead to:
- Heart Problems
- Skin Allergies
- Joint Pain
- Cognitive Impairment
- Blood Pressure Issues
- Excessive Shedding
Dog Ownership Guide recommends a fresh raw dog food diet for all dogs, especially adult and older dogs.
How Fish Oil Works in a Dog’s Body
Fatty acids create membranes that protect cells in a dog’s body. This protective membrane helps fight off diseases.
Health Benefits of Fish Oil
- Omega 3s can also improve heart and lung functioning and boost the immune system because the body is energized by the essential fatty acids.
- The moisturizing effects of fish oil support healthy skin and coats for dogs, which reduces shedding. It’s better than Vitamin E because it provides more benefits to the body with the DHA and EPA.
- It helps reduce atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat.
- Fish oil decreases the production of prostaglandins, which is why it has an anti-inflammatory effect. Older dogs benefit from this as it can support good hip and joint health.
- EPA DHA helps with brain health. In puppies, it can help their brain development and it can make potty training easier. Older dogs can benefit from sustained cognitive function as they age.
- Blood pressure issues can occur in dogs, too. It can prevent the consequences of high blood pressure, such as kidney disease and heart disease.
How to Give Your Dog Fish Oil
Giving your dog fish oil supplements is one way of giving your dog omega fatty acids, but the best way is by adding them to your dog’s diet. It’s not hard to add fish oil to your dog’s diet. It can be found in dog-friendly foods like:
- Salmon
- Cod
- Sardines
- Ground Flaxseed
- Chia Seeds
The skin on the above fish is beneficial so don’t skip out on giving your pup the skin.
For pet parents who are not interested in giving their pup fresh or raw dog food, fish oil pills will work.
What to Look for in Fish Oil Pills for Your Dog
While your dog ate fish oil pill, you can’t give him/her your fish oil pills. The ones you give your dog should be made for pets. Many of them have other types of fish oil in them like krill oil and cod liver oil.
The best ones will be high quality and have high levels of EPA and DHA. The company you purchase from should be reputable as you would never want to give your dog subpar supplements that could have harmful additives.
Best Fish Oil Pills for Dogs
The following fish oil pills are great for dogs. Follow the instructions on the back of the bottle to know how much to give your dog.
TerraMax Pro Premium Liquid Omega-3 Fish Oil for Dogs
How to Give Your Dog Fish Oil Supplements
You can give your pup fish oil pills in a couple of different ways.
The fish oil is inside the pills. If your dog will swallow it, you can simply give the number of pills to your pup by mouth.
If your dog won’t take it by mouth, you can always break it open and pour the fish oil onto your dog’s food. Many pet parents put sauce on top of their dog’s food, so it’s just the same with liquid fish oil.
You can also add liquid fish oil to treats or make dog treats with it as an ingredient. Just be sure to know how much is in each treat, so you don’t end up giving your dog too much or not enough.
When to Start Fish Oil Supplementation
You can start fish oil supplementation as soon as 8 weeks. The beneficial effects of omega-3s cannot be denied. Just ask your veterinarian before starting to make sure she/her agrees that it would be a good thing for your unique puppy.
Now you know when and when not to be concerned over when a dog ate fish oil pill. If your pup consumed a high dose of fish oil, look for signs of an overdose and call the veterinarian or the ASPC animal poison control center for advice at 888-426-4435.
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