Norskgra Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 (edited) I have always given my dogs fish oil capsules but after reading a few posts I am now confused as to which is better, fish oil or flaxseed oil? Edited November 30, 2007 by Norskgra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 When I had a dog that had a tendency to skin allergies, flaxseed oil was recommended for that. Now we have a dog that's getting older, 13 yrs, & this time the vet recommended fish oil to help her joints as she ages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Midol Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I was under the impression that green lip mussel extract is a better for joints than fish oils? Not many Australian vets would know much about the mussel extract though, it has a natural anti-inflammatory which helps arthritis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Age Outlaw Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 My old gal's accupuncturist, who was also a pet naturopath (and a vet) told me that dogs absorb the omegas from fish oil much better than they do from flaxseed oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peigirl Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 You can't make a direct comparison between fish and flax, it’s like comparing apples with oranges. Its dependent on what you are hoping to achieve by supplementing. There are 3 types of Omega 3 - ALA, EPA & DHA. ALA = flax EPA & DHA = fish In humans ALA is very beneficial for heart health. Body also converts a small % of ALA to EPA and DHA. EPA & DHA is used also for brain function, mobility, anti-inflammation, mood disorders and also heart health. Also 3 types of Omega 6 - LA, GLA & AA. LA = wouldn’t supplement, occurs in fatty foods GLA = evening primrose or borage oils AA = wouldn’t supplement, too much is not good for the body GLA also has mobility and anti-inflammation properties. Also good for skin conditions. Dogs with skin conditions are normally given an EPA & DHA + GLA supplement by dermatologists. Dogs with mobility issues I know vets normally treat with EPA & DHA but a GLA supplement would certainly be of benefit to them too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peigirl Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I was under the impression that green lip mussel extract is a better for joints than fish oils?Not many Australian vets would know much about the mussel extract though, it has a natural anti-inflammatory which helps arthritis. Possibly Midol. The higher the ratio of EPA & DHA per dose, the lesser 'filler' oils and the more beneficial the supplement. What's the the EPA/DHA ratio for green lipped mussel? Standard EPA/DHA ratio is 180/120 but there are several available now which have higher ratio's than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Midol Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 (edited) To be honest, I have no idea. Will find out now though. I can't find any numbers like the one you gave buuuuuut. Green lipped mussel extract (pure) has 19% DHA and 15% EPA and 15% palmitic acid (nfi what that is.) Fish oil has 12% DHA and 18% EPA. So fish oil has more EPA but a lot less DHA? I don't really know much about this stuff But being a kiwi green lipped mussels are used a lot. Edited November 30, 2007 by Lord Midol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trifecta Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Importantly fish oil can be overdosed due to vitamin A content whereas flax / linseed oil cannot. This is why flax seed oil is recommended for skin conditions where daily dosing is optimum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Paws Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Dr Ian Billinghurst suggests the following oils can be added cod liver oli,corn oil,soyabean oli,wheatgerm oli,cottonsead oil,safflower oli,sunflower oil and peanut oil. I personally use this Blue Ribbon Coat enhancer http://www.pawzazzpetz.com.au/gpage10.html It contains omega 3,6 & 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malsam Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I use both, and only 1 type on my dogs. My flax only dog have very good results..but after many years. The rest of those that are on fish oil dun seems to get improvement...but it didn't worsen also. I do noe that fish oil is more easily available which is why Vit E needs to be given. For flax, I usually dun give extra Vit E anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I used to use both but couldn't get the scurf to go on one of the dogs. I then changed to Performa3 which covers 3,6 and 9 and we've not looked back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peigirl Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 To be honest, I have no idea.Will find out now though. I can't find any numbers like the one you gave buuuuuut. Green lipped mussel extract (pure) has 19% DHA and 15% EPA and 15% palmitic acid (nfi what that is.) Fish oil has 12% DHA and 18% EPA. So fish oil has more EPA but a lot less DHA? I don't really know much about this stuff :D But being a kiwi green lipped mussels are used a lot. DHA is really whats of benefit, rather than the EPA so then yes the green lipped mussel would be good. Importantly fish oil can be overdosed due to vitamin A content whereas flax / linseed oil cannot. This is why flax seed oil is recommended for skin conditions where daily dosing is optimum. Cod liver oil contains vitamin A, regular fish oil supplements do not. 'Overdosing' fish oils will give a dog the runs, thats about it. I use both, and only 1 type on my dogs. My flax only dog have very good results..but after many years. The rest of those that are on fish oil dun seems to get improvement...but it didn't worsen also. I do noe that fish oil is more easily available which is why Vit E needs to be given. For flax, I usually dun give extra Vit E anymore. Fish oil is normally supplemented with vitamin E as fish oil easily oxidises - its used as a perservative. Flax oil contains natural antioxidants to perserve it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laffi Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 I used to use both but couldn't get the scurf to go on one of the dogs.I then changed to Performa3 which covers 3,6 and 9 and we've not looked back. Where do you buy Performa 3? The only one I could find was for horses :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cazxxz Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 As peigirl said, Vitamin E is important - it counters the potential of the oils to cause our dogs to age. Where do you buy flaxseed oil? Is it in the fridge in health shops? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malsam Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 I noe UDO brand has a blend of omega rich oil than contains 3. 6 and 9. I didn't recall that dogs need Omega 6 as supplements also though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norskgra Posted December 1, 2007 Author Share Posted December 1, 2007 I think I am more confused than ever now. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laffi Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 You can't make a direct comparison between fish and flax, it’s like comparing apples with oranges. Its dependent on what you are hoping to achieve by supplementing.There are 3 types of Omega 3 - ALA, EPA & DHA. ALA = flax EPA & DHA = fish In humans ALA is very beneficial for heart health. Body also converts a small % of ALA to EPA and DHA. EPA & DHA is used also for brain function, mobility, anti-inflammation, mood disorders and also heart health. Also 3 types of Omega 6 - LA, GLA & AA. LA = wouldn’t supplement, occurs in fatty foods GLA = evening primrose or borage oils AA = wouldn’t supplement, too much is not good for the body GLA also has mobility and anti-inflammation properties. Also good for skin conditions. Dogs with skin conditions are normally given an EPA & DHA + GLA supplement by dermatologists. Dogs with mobility issues I know vets normally treat with EPA & DHA but a GLA supplement would certainly be of benefit to them too. So what do I need to give to a dog with dry and itchy skin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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