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Woman feeding her dog Paramount Pet Health Fish Oil

Salmon Oil vs. Fish Oil for Dogs: A Detailed Comparison

Helping your dog live a long, healthy life starts with what’s in their food dish.

Not only does a well-rounded diet improve your dog’s overall well-being, it can play a big role in keeping the immune systems strong. 

One of the ways to ensure your dog is getting the appropriate nutrients? Supplementing with fish oil.

Fish oil is packed with nutrients known as ‘“fatty acids”: in particular, two types called omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. 

But not all fish oil is created equal. Some products have fillers that dilute the effectiveness of their active ingredients, while others might even be contaminated with trace amounts of heavy metals or other noxious substances.

Let’s dive into the factors at play with the different fish oil products on the market.

Click on any benefit below and jump right to it! Or just tell me how to choose!

The Benefits of Salmon Oil and Fish Oil

Two dogs on a boat ready to catch some fish

Supplementing your pet’s nutrition with salmon oil allows your pup to reap all the benefits associated with eating wild salmon — including skin hydration, heart health, joint health, and even eye development!

Did you know? Just like humans, dogs need omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for their joint health and overall well being.

Our Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil and Fish Oil are both packed with these essential fatty acids. In fact, both oils are similar in terms of the nutrients they offer your pup.

To make an educated choice for your dog, lets first take a look at the shared benefits of wild Alaskan salmon oil and fish oil.


Shared Benefit #1: Healthier Skin and Coat

Both oils are great for your furry friend’s skin, especially if they suffer from dry skin.

The first sign of dry skin is excessive scratching, which can lead to further dermal irritation if left unattended. 

Itchy and dehydrated skin is a common issue for pets — and most of the time, it’s due to environmental or food allergies. In fact, environmental allergies are among the most common types of skin conditions in dogs.

Luckily, a good fish oil supplement can help heal your dog’s flaky skin from the inside out. 

The right product will have high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are two types of omega-3 fatty acids that play important roles in healing and soothing skin irritation. 

Our Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil contains 423mg of EPA and 465mg of DHA for a potent dose of both of these skin-saving omega-3s, while our high potency Fish Oil contains 800 mg of EPA and 525 mg of DHA.

After a couple weeks of use, most pet owners see their dog’s dryness, flakiness, and irritation start clearing up! Best of all, pups stop suffering from endless itchiness.


Shared Benefit #2: Decreased Inflammation from Arthritis

As previously mentioned, the EPA and DHA contained within both Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil and fish oil help support the health of animals and humans alike.

Along with helping rehydrate dry skin and soothe itching, these oils offer inflammation-reducing properties that can ease stiffness and soreness from old age, arthritis, and other degenerative conditions.

Have you noticed your old pal limping or moving stiffly? Are they reluctant to move, or seeming more tired than ever? These are some of the main indicators of arthritis. 

Your dog doesn’t have to suffer from joint pain from here on out. Supplementing their diet with fish oil can be a simple but effective way to bolster their joints.

As mentioned, fish and salmon oil alike are rich in EPA and DHA, which can help decrease the inflammation caused by arthritis.

Try a fish oil supplement like ours, which is packed with 800 mg of EPA and 525 mg of DHA, to soothe stiffness and improve your pup’s joint mobility.


Shared Benefit #3: Improved Immune System

Did you know? In part because of their anti-inflammatory benefits, high-quality fish oil products have been shown to be effective against autoimmune diseases. Fish oils can also help maintain a healthy immune system.

The omega-3 found in fish oil products is among the best natural immune boosters for dogs. This is especially true for DHA -and EPA-enriched fish oil.

While fish oil rich in DHA and EPA had been reported to prevent disease by reducing inflammation, in the early aughts, scientists still weren’t sure about its immune-enhancing properties.

But a 2013 study offered promising results. According to the study, DHA intake enhanced B cell activation and select antibody production in a group of mice. This might actually aid the body’s immune response, helping it clear out harmful pathogens and reduce the inflammatory response.

To put it more simply? Though we don’t know EXACTLY how fish oil works to boost the immune system, there’s peer-reviewed evidence that it does. 

Remember, building a strong immune system helps protect your pet from all sorts of ailments and cut down on unplanned vet visits.


Shared Benefit #4: Increased Stamina

Omega-3 fats are an easily digestible fat source — and fat is fuel for active pups. 

In fact, dogs need healthy fats for endurance as much as most of us need carbohydrates. Fish oil is one of the cleanest energy sources for dogs.

Salmon on a wood board with peppers and lemon around it

If you’ve noticed your aging dog’s playfulness decrease, it’s possible that fatigue is getting the better of them.

Luckily, your dog might just be in need of a good omega-3 product. This will help unshackle your pal from the grip of arthritis and joint pain, which is the reason some dogs lose interest in playing.

Along with offering a source of potent nutritional energy, fish oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reinvigorate your dog.


Shared Benefit #5: Support for Healthy Development in Puppies

Omega-3 supplements aren’t just for older dogs. In fact, they’re vital for your puppy’s healthy development. More precisely, DHA and EPA are two essential fatty acids responsible for proper development in growing pups.

DHA offers numerous benefits for puppies in the growth stage. It mainly supports proper eye, heart, and brain development. (Yep, you’ve got that right. DHA-enriched products can make your dog smarter.)

Not only that, but DHA and EPA are important to develop sight and cardiovascular health.

It’s best to start giving omega-3 supplements to mama dogs during pregnancy. This will assure optimal development for newborn puppies, even in the womb.


Choosing Between Salmon Oil and Fish Oil

Now that the benefits shared by both Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil and fish oil are clear, let’s take a look at the main differences.

Paramount Pet Health Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil

Paramount Pet Health Omega-3 Fish Oil

  • Salmon oil has a higher omega-3 content
  • Fish oil is extracted from multiple wild-caught fish, instead of a single ingredient
  • Salmon oil provides superior omega-3 absorption
  • Omega-3 oil provides good omega-3 absorption
  • Salmon oil smells like, well, salmon (great for pups who like stronger-scented foods!)
  • Fish oil has a neutral taste and no fishy smell

So what should you choose for your dog? Well, it mostly depends on their tastes and specific needs.

Salmon oil is a great choice for pets with allergies or a limited diet. It contains a single source of high-quality fish oil. This is a safe choice even for the most sensitive dogs. This product also offers superior omega 3 absorption. 

If you’re looking for the most bioavailable source of healthy fats, look no further than salmon oil.

Some pets love the taste of wild fish, while others avoid it. 

If your pet is pickier, then Omega-3 fish oil is your best bet.

Our Fish Oil was designed for the most… discerning dogs and cats. It’ll provide all the fantastic health benefits of eating wild fish, without the fishy taste or smell.

If your dog is reluctant to take supplements, opt for our no-smell fish oil. Just add the recommended dosage to their favorite food, and they’ll gobble it up without noticing a thing.

Choose the Best for Your Dog's Diet

Are you looking for the best omega-3 supplements for your dog? Look no further — you found them!

Here at Paramount Pet Health, we’re pet owners, just like you.

Our fish oil supplements are so high-quality that they’re human-grade. You could even take a swig yourself and read more on fish oil with the article, Is Fish Oil Good for Dogs?.

We’ve put in a lot of love and research to come up with the best formulas for our pets. And for the best quality, we produce our products right here in the US.

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Comments

Nan - August 27, 2024

My black lab is constantly scratching and licking her stuff

Paramount Pet Health - February 9, 2024

Hello Sam – Certainly, you can provide both salmon oil and fish oil to your dog. However, it’s important to be cautious not to overdo it. Excessive intake may lead to side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, heightened itchiness, or an oily coat with skin flakes. For guidance on proper dosing, you can refer to this helpful chart: https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vth/services/orthopedic-medicine/fish-oil-dosing/

Sam P - February 9, 2024

Can you do both salmon oil and fish oil? I currently give my dog one fish oil pill daily and she loves it. But I have been reading more into salmon oil, and was curious if it will cause harm with both?

Paramount Pet Health - November 27, 2023

Hi Amy – We’d recommend either one but the Omega-3 fish oil might be best for your Yorkshire Terrier with a heart murmur.

Amy Grubb - November 27, 2023

Is salmon oil or fish oil better for a Yorkshire Terrior dog with a heart murmur? Please can you give me the best item for my baby. Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

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