One of the joys and responsibilities of being a pet owner is providing the nourishment and sustenance your pet needs in order to thrive and live its best life with you. Your pet is a living being, and of course, like any living creature, it needs food to survive. As a responsible pet owner, feeding your pet regularly is not enough – you should also know how and what to feed your pet – enter mixed feeding.
Mixed feeding can be described simply as combining two different types of food together, like blending wet food with kibbles or treats. It is also combining your regular pet food with supplements. An example of this is when pet owners also put in Alaskan salmon oil for dogs during meal times.
Benefits of mixed feeding
Mixed feeding is a great way to ensure that your pet gets the most out of meal times. Combining wet food with kibbles can add to your dog’s moisture intake and even adds some excitement to the meals (which is good if your pet is such a fussy eater)!
Adding in supplements like fish oil (depending on their general health and diet) can be part of a long-term plan or used to boost your pet’s health.
Benefits of fish oils
Just as fish oils are good for us humans, our furry companions can also reap the benefits of having fish oils in their diets. Fish oil is one of the best supplements that you can add to your dog’s diet. A common kind of fish oil is salmon fish oil which is a naturally derived product from salmon -a fish that is a good source of protein and rich in Omega acids.
According to the American Kennel Club, fish oils in your dog’s diet can support their heart health, promote a silky coat, reduce itchy and flaky skin, and can help relieve allergies and joint pain. Fish oil can also help in boosting your dog’s immune system and could help them fight canine cancer.
The Omega-3 acids found in salmon fish oil is essentially a good type of fat that is an important structural component of healthy cell membranes (good fats are good for your pet, too!). Omega-3 also helps balance out Omega-6 fatty acids that are commonly found in processed food and most grains.
This is also why we advocate for mixed feeding as many dog food makers use meat from corn-fed animals or refined oils (which are high in Omega-6), leading to an overabundance of Omega-6 fatty acids in their diets. And too much of this is not ideal, like in health and everything else in life, balance is key.
Types available on the market
Currently, there are 3 types of fish oil available on the market: Ethyl ester oil, synthetic triglyceride oil, and natural triglyceride oil.
- Ethyl ester oil – considered semi-natural and contains high levels of EPA – eicosapentaenoic acid, and DHA – docosahexaenoic acid. This oil is concentrated and distilled to remove any impurities.
- Synthetic triglyceride oil – synthetic and is the least absorbed by the body.
- Natural triglyceride oil – natural and is easily absorbed. It may contain some contaminants since it is not purified.
Always check first with your vet before choosing and feeding your dog supplements. Consider their breed, size, weight, and overall health to get the most benefits out of it. Once your vet has given you the green light to give fish oil supplements to your dog, it’s also important to follow instructions on how to safely administer it.
Fish oil can be easily given by mouth in liquid or capsule form. It can be given with or without food; however if an upset stomach occurs when dosed on an empty stomach, give the supplement with food. Measure carefully before mixing into wet food. If the fish oil is in a capsule, you can make use of a pill pocket to easily feed your dog.
Now that you know the benefits of fish oil for your furry companion, feel free to visit our site to know more about our fish oil range.