Should I give my pet fish oil daily or less often for full benefits?

Some fish oil supplements, such as DermCaps or EicosaCaps, can be given daily, others are given 2-3 times weekly. You will need to read the label of the product you have to determine a schedule. The dose and frequency will depend on the amount of Omega 3s in the capsules and your dog's body weight.

I think it has more to do with the amount of EPA and DHA per serving. With the liquid, there's likely less of these fatty acids per serving so it requires more of the product to get the recommended daily amount. Even half the amount will still be beneficial, and it's fine to do less than recommended. That's because too much fish oil can have detrimental effects on the dog's body, such as interference with wound healing. Recommended daily levels are typically low enough to prevent this from occurring, but having less than recommended is fine :-)

Over supplementation of fish oil can certainly cause diarrhea. And some animals are sensitive to it even in small doses, so I always recommend starting with a low dose then working up. For cats, I would recommend a liquid pump in order to make that process easier. We have found that even though we are not exactly sure of the "correct" ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids that since Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and Omega 6 fatty acids tend to be pro-inflammatory, that we prefer that ratio to be higher than we used to think. Omega 3 fatty acids work over time, so while daily supplementation is ideal, a few times a week is certainly better than nothing. So, I normally recommend a cat specific liquid in a pump and start with 1/2 the recommended dose for a few days to make sure there isn't any soft stool, then increase to the recommended dose daily (if possible). I hope that was helpful and answered your questions. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If she is on a high quality, balanced diet I would be cautious about over supplementing her as this can lead to dietary excesses (especially with cod liver oil type supplements as they can be high in certain vitamins also). Plant based supplements such as viacutan may also be an option but 3-5 days a week is likely sufficient

One fish oil capsule a day is fine. There is a risk of giving your dog too much fish oil, and there are serious side effects from that including a tendency to bleed more when injured due to the fish oil interfering with platelet function, interfering in wound healing, and an interference in the inflammatory response of the immune system. I would not add any fish based kibble due to these risks.

Since this is considered "off label use", as this is not a product designed specifically for dogs, your veterinarian would be the one to direct your specific dog in terms of using this product since its "off-label." To adhere to my veterinary license, I cannot advise off-label doses for a patient I have not examined and a client that I have not met. However, I will tell you that I would tell my clients that this is generally a safe product to give a 50 pound lab once a day. You may notice some increased gas/flatulence, and a "fishy" odor to his breath. If you notice any vomiting, diarrhea or decreased appetite, get him in to see your vet and discontinue use.

Yes, that is fine to give once a day. I recommend a maximum of 750 mg of fish oil per 10 lbs of body weight in a dog. That brand if fine to give. I highly recommend using an omega 3 supplement like this to reduce joint pain and inflammation, and it will help the skin and coat also. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Chloe.