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In most cases, a high quality, commercially-produced diet should contain all of the important nutrients your dog needs to maintain good health. Although supplementing your dog's diet with oil could hae benefits, there could also be side effects! We recommend that you always before adding the supplements.
1. Fish oil
Oils derived from cold water fish are a great source of the Omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), they can help support joint health, cognitive development and improve skin and coat condition. Examples of cold water fish used for making Omega-3 supplements include wild salmon, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil also have natural anti-inflammatory effects, reducing overall inflammation in the body and assisting with pain management. Fish oil can even help to improve your dog’s memory, so it’s particularly supportive for older dogs.
2. Olive oil
Olive oil is high in calories. It can be added to regular food for extremely active dogs or underweight dogs. However, most dogs might gain weight from extra olive oil intake.
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin E, as well as phytonutrients. It helps to support the immune system and can reduce the symptoms of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
3. Linseed or flaxseed oil
Sourced from the flax plant, linseed oil is a plant-based triglyceride that contains an unusually large amount of fatty acid. Compared to DHA sourced from fish oil, plant-based ALAs are less effective at reducing joint inflammation, but it is known to help to regulate blood pressure, promote healthy kidney function along with shiny skin and coat.
4. Coconut oil
Like most plant-sourced oils, coconut oil does not have high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. What it does contain is not readily absorbed in dogs’ bodies. However, coconut oil contain high levels of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) and could play a positive role in addressing conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and Lymphangectasia (poor bowel absorption). Coconut oil is great in treating dry skin and atopic dermatitis and may help wounds heal more quickly.