Mary Allen
Many dog owners today feed a good complete feed. If you do that too, then take a look at the composition of the food.
Is it really good food? Then you will find high-quality fats or oils in the ingredients, which must be named.
These fats are of great importance for the health of the animal. Are they included in the complete feed? Then you don’t have to give your dog anything extra.
However, there are always situations in the course of a dog’s life that make it necessary to add additional oils to the food.
High-quality oils contain essential fatty acids
The most important fatty acids are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Salmon oil, hemp oil, and flaxseed oil are often used in dogs because they contain the largest proportion of essential fatty acids.
Sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, or olive oil are also suitable for enriching dog food.
However, they contain fewer essential fatty acids than, say, fish oil.
You should use corn and linseed oil with caution and watch your dog closely. Allergic reactions occasionally occur with these two oils.
Which oil for dogs?
Most commonly, these oils are fed as a feed additive to dogs:
- Linseed
oil Linseed oil is vegetable oil. It is obtained from flaxseed and contains a lot of omega-3 fatty acids. Linseed oil is often used for BARF. Read more about linseed oil here. - Salmon
oil Salmon oil is particularly rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Read more about the correct dosage and combination with linseed oil here. - Black
cumin oil Black cumin oil acts almost like a panacea for dogs. The oil became a home remedy for joint problems, allergies, and skin problems - Evening primrose oil
- Hemp oil
- Safflower oil
- Olive oil
- Borage oil
- Rapeseed oil
- Omega 3 oil
- Sunflower oil
- Sesame oil
- Coconut oil
Preventive worming with coconut flakes and coconut oil helps against worms. - Pumpkin
seed oil Pumpkin seed oil is a healthy addition to dog food. Pumpkin seeds are considered an insider tip against parasites.
Essential fatty acids are vital for humans as well as for our animals. They are mostly contained in vegetable oils.
The body cannot produce essential fatty acids on its own. Therefore, they must be ingested with food.
Oils are of the utmost importance for the nervous system, brain development, vision, and fertility, but also the skin and an intact immune system.
Prevent deficiency symptoms
If the dog gets too little fat with food, this can also lead to a lack of fatty acids. This in turn can result in growth and reproductive disorders.
There may be a drop in performance and weight loss. In addition, the dog’s coat becomes shaggy, dull, and dry. The skin becomes scaly and wounds heal poorly.
As a result, the skin becomes susceptible to bacterial inflammation, and eczema can form. The dog suffers from itching and hair loss.
The changes in the skin and coat usually start on the stomach and then spread to the whole body. In these cases, the veterinarian will prescribe special preparations that contain the right ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Look for good oil
When choosing vegetable oils, you should pay attention to these points.
- Go for cold-pressed, unrefined oils.
- Products labeled native and organic are ideal.
- Good, high-quality oil is always packaged in dark bottles.
Store dark and cool
This protects against solar radiation and thus the contained vitamin E against oxidation. Store the oils tightly sealed in the refrigerator.
As soon as the oil changes in smell or taste, it can no longer be used. It is better to buy small bottles because high-quality oil has a shelf life of only about three months.
Inexpensive oils, on the other hand, are usually heated, pressed, and refined. In addition, substances are added and the oil is bleached to make it look better visually and smell good.
However, this treatment destroys the special components of the oil, such as essential fatty acids. For human and animal health, it becomes useless.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is oil in dog food?
Olive oil can be mixed into dog food every 3-4 days. For dogs up to 10 kg, ½ tablespoon of olive oil is sufficient. For medium-sized dogs up to around 30 kg, feeding 1 tablespoon is recommended. If your dog weighs more than 30 kg, you can mix 1 ½ tablespoon of olive oil into the food.
Which oil for dogs’ digestion?
There is no harm in adding a tablespoon of safflower oil to a dog’s food daily. Although fats are a little harder to digest than carbohydrates, for example, in the quantities mentioned they usually do not lead to diarrhea in a large dog.
Which oil for dry dog food?
Linseed oil is pressed from the same. With its enormously high omega-3 content, it is ideally suited for dog feeding. It also helps with allergies, eczema, and dandruff caused by dry skin. It is also effective against inflammation in the digestive tract.
Which is better for the dog flaxseed oil or salmon oil?
Salmon oil provides your dog with omega-3 fatty acids – without any side effects. These ensure a healthy & shiny coat, healthy bones, and great skin. Salmon oil for dogs also has positive effects on the dog’s metabolism and can help to lower blood pressure.
How much oil does a dog need?
How much oil does the dog need? The daily requirement of oil can be meticulously calculated. If you want that, take 0.3g of oil per kg of body weight. So a 10kg dog gets about 3g of oil, which is about a teaspoon.
How often does linseed oil dog?
The recommended dosage for linseed oil is 5 ml per 10 kg of body weight. For a dog that weighs 19 kg, you can add about 2 teaspoons of linseed oil to the food daily. Because a teaspoon corresponds approximately to the unit 5 ml.
Is canola oil dangerous for dogs?
Canola oil supports many physical processes and functions in your dog. The oil also ensures a shiny coat. And rapeseed oil helps with skin problems. Fats perform various functions in your dog’s body.
What oil is not for dogs?
What oils can I feed my dog? Cold-pressed oils with a high content of omega-3 fatty acids are health-promoting. Refined oils are unhealthy for the dog and should therefore not be fed.