Is Fish Oil Safe for Dogs? What Vets Want You to Know About Omega-3

Apr 12, 2025
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fish oil dog
Table of Contents
  1. Is Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Worth It? A Vet’s Honest Review
    1. Dogs and Fish Oil
    2. Fish oil is a powerful addition to your dog’s diet. It supports heart health, helps maintain a shiny, healthy coat, and soothes dry, itchy skin. It’s also known to ease joint discomfort, reduce allergy symptoms, and boost the immune system. Some studies even suggest it may aid in the fight against canine cancer (Omega-3 fatty acids have multiple anti-cancer effects. If your dog is having trouble eating, supplementing your dog's diet with omega-3 fatty acids can help improve their appetite and reduce cachexia (wasting).They increase the immune system's ability to find and kill cancer cells.
    3. Is Fish Oil Good for Cats?
    4. Fish oil has been shown to help decrease a cat’s blood pressure and help prevent protein loss into the urine, thus slowing down the progression ofkidney disease in cats.One studydetermined that cats with kidney disease that ate diets with a high EPA content experienced longer survival times.
  2. What Is Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet?
    1. Is Fish Oil Good For Dogs and Why I Recommend It to My Clients
    2. ⚠️ A Few Things to Keep in Mind
    3. What’s Inside?
    4. What I’ve Seen in Practice
    5. Final Thoughts
  3. Where to Buy

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. This site is not intended to provide financial advice and is for entertainment only. 

Is Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Worth It? A Vet’s Honest Review

When it comes to supporting our pets' overall health — from shiny coats to strong joints and even better brain function — omega-3 fatty acids are a game changer. One of the most trusted names in the omega-3 world is Nordic Naturals, and their Canine Omega-3 supplement and Feline Omega-3 has become a go-to for many pet parents.

But does it live up to the hype? As a veterinarian, I’ve recommended this product in countless cases — and in this post, I’ll break down why I think it’s one of the best omega-3 options out there for both dogs and cats.

oil

Dogs and Fish Oil

  • Fish oil is a powerful addition to your dog’s diet. It supports heart health, helps maintain a shiny, healthy coat, and soothes dry, itchy skin. It’s also known to ease joint discomfort, reduce allergy symptoms, and boost the immune system. Some studies even suggest it may aid in the fight against canine cancer (Omega-3 fatty acids have multiple anti-cancer effects. If your dog is having trouble eating, supplementing your dog's diet with omega-3 fatty acids can help improve their appetite and reduce cachexia (wasting). They increase the immune system's ability to find and kill cancer cells.


Is Fish Oil Good for Cats?

Fish oil can be a good fatty acid supplement for cats, but it should only be given under the guidance of your veterinarian. Fish oil can benefit cats with certain health concerns, including:

Skin Allergies and Skin Disease

Fish oil is commonly given to cats with allergic or inflammatory skin disease. It can help reduce itchiness by decreasing the production and release of inflammatory stimulators called cytokines and improve a cat’s dry, flaking skin.

Arthritis and Joint Disease

For cats with arthritis, fish oil can help decrease inflammation in the joints. Studies show that cats given both EPA and DHA supplements in their diet, along with green-lipped mussel (a glucosamine/chondroitin source), had a noticeable improvement in their mobility.

Kidney Disease

Fish oil has been shown to help decrease a cat’s blood pressure and help prevent protein loss into the urine, thus slowing down the progression of kidney disease in catsOne study determined that cats with kidney disease that ate diets with a high EPA content experienced longer survival times.

Heart Disease

Fish oil can help lower and regulate a cat’s heart rate, thus lowering the risks of atrial fibrillation (a potentially fatal heart arrhythmia). Omega fatty acids for cats are also thought to help decrease triglycerides in the body, which can contribute to heart disease in cats. Fish oil may also help prevent blood clots.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Fish oil is known to decrease potentially harmful triglycerides and promote less inflammation, which can help with both inflammatory bowel disease and pancreatitis in cats.

Epilepsy, Seizures, and Brain Health

DHA is important for promoting brain health and development in cats. For this reason, fish oil for cats has been shown to be helpful both in developing kittens and in older felines with cognitive dysfunction.

Diabetes and Obesity

Diets containing DHA and EPA have been known to help make insulin more effective in obese cats with or without diabetes. This helps decrease body fat and allows cats to use glucose more effectively when they have diabetes. In overweight cats without diabetes, fish oil has been associated with decreasing the risk of developing diabetes.

Cancer

DHA has an ability to shrink tumors, and studies have shown that it can help work against cancer by not allowing cancerous cells to divide.

  • All these amazing benefits come from one key ingredient: omega-3 fatty acids—a type of healthy fat your dog’s body truly needs. Just like humans, dogs can’t make omega-3s on their own, so they must get them through their diet. If you're thinking about adding fish oil to your dog’s daily routine, here’s everything you should know to do it safely and effectively.



We found that supplementation significantly improved the Omega-3 Index in all dogs, pain scores in small and medium-sized dogs, and quality of life scores in smaller dogs.(pubmed)

 What Is Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet?

Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet is a high-quality fish oil supplement designed specifically for pets. It’s made from wild anchovies and sardines — small, oily fish that are naturally rich in omega-3s. The oil is distilled for purity and third-party tested to ensure it's free from heavy metals and environmental toxins.

The best part? It’s unflavored and easy to mix into your pet’s food, best fish oil for dogs.


Is Fish Oil Good For Dogs and Why I Recommend It to My Clients

Here’s what I love about it as a vet:

  • Great for pets with skin issues or allergies: If your dog is constantly itchy or has a dull, flaky coat, adding omega-3s can help calm inflammation and improve skin health.


  • Supports joint health in aging pets: Many senior dogs (and even active younger ones) benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of EPA and DHA.


  • Brain and heart support: Omega-3s are essential for cognitive function and cardiovascular health, especially in older animals.


  • Clean and trustworthy: Nordic Naturals is one of the few companies that offers a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for every batch — that’s transparency I appreciate.

  • Safe for cats and dogs: One bottle for both species is a win if you’re a multi-pet household.

dog and cat

⚠️ A Few Things to Keep in Mind

No product is perfect, and this one has a couple of small drawbacks:

  • It needs refrigeration after opening to maintain freshness.


  • The bottle is made of glass, so be careful handling it (especially if you have clumsy hands like me).


  • Some pets may need a few days to get used to the taste or texture — start with a small amount mixed into their food.


 What’s Inside?

In each 1,000 mg serving, you get:

  • EPA: 304 mg

  • DHA: 204 mg

  • Other Omega-3s: 112 mg

These levels are great for most pets and deliver a solid anti-inflammatory effect.

fish oil

 What I’ve Seen in Practice

I’ve used Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet with dogs suffering from chronic allergies, older pets with mobility issues, and even cats with kidney disease (under proper vet guidance, of course). In many cases, pet parents reported a noticeable difference within 2–4 weeks — shinier coats, less scratching, better energy.


And the best part? Most dogs and cats accept it with little fuss when mixed into their regular meals.


 Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a clean, effective omega-3 supplement that’s vet-trusted and pet-approved, Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet is a fantastic choice. It may be a little more expensive than some generic brands, but in my opinion, the quality and safety are worth every cent.

Whether your pet has itchy skin, stiff joints, or you just want to support their long-term health — this product belongs in your pantry.


 Where to Buy

You can grab it online at:

Just make sure you’re getting the pet version, not the human one!


Let me know if you’ve tried this supplement — or if you’d like me to review another one. I’m here to help you make informed, vet-approved choices for your furry friends!

 



Table of Contents
  1. Is Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Worth It? A Vet’s Honest Review
    1. Dogs and Fish Oil
    2. Fish oil is a powerful addition to your dog’s diet. It supports heart health, helps maintain a shiny, healthy coat, and soothes dry, itchy skin. It’s also known to ease joint discomfort, reduce allergy symptoms, and boost the immune system. Some studies even suggest it may aid in the fight against canine cancer (Omega-3 fatty acids have multiple anti-cancer effects. If your dog is having trouble eating, supplementing your dog's diet with omega-3 fatty acids can help improve their appetite and reduce cachexia (wasting).They increase the immune system's ability to find and kill cancer cells.
    3. Is Fish Oil Good for Cats?
    4. Fish oil has been shown to help decrease a cat’s blood pressure and help prevent protein loss into the urine, thus slowing down the progression ofkidney disease in cats.One studydetermined that cats with kidney disease that ate diets with a high EPA content experienced longer survival times.
  2. What Is Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet?
    1. Is Fish Oil Good For Dogs and Why I Recommend It to My Clients
    2. ⚠️ A Few Things to Keep in Mind
    3. What’s Inside?
    4. What I’ve Seen in Practice
    5. Final Thoughts
  3. Where to Buy

Disclosure:  Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. This site is not intended to provide financial advice and is for entertainment only.