Flaxseed oil vs. fish oil

[RileyRoo]

so Mark actually brought up something they sell at his work that he wants to get the dogs called flaxseed oil (yes, he actually brought something useful up...ALL BY HIMSELF!!!!) =DDDDDDDDDD

anyways he wanted to know what you guys would suggest is better
Fish oil or Flaxseed oil since I said fish oil helps their fur he wanted to know what you guys suggest and experianced with the oils. and both of us would like to know what flaxseed oil does for the dog if it is like fish oil or if it benifits in other ways. and are oils like this alright for a 10 month old puppy?

I will let him know whats up and thanks guys in advance!

[infinity]

Im not Sure if flaxseed oil, (although it is good for the coat) contains the omega fatty acids that the fish oil does. The the omega 3-6-9 acids have great benefits of there own.

Alot of very good dog feed contains flaxseed & fish oils. I think they both have different benefits. Although both are great for the coats allso.

Some one with more experiance on the subject will be able to ether back up or contradict my theory though lol.

[RileyRoo]

thank you Infinity. I am reading on fish oil. we are going to go with that but I am not sure what the best quality of oil is (brand wise) and that's what I want to give them..the best quality now no matter the price.

[Amber]

The problem with flax seed oil is that even though flax seed is packed with omega 3 fatty acids, the dog only gets to use a tiny fraction of them. The omega 3 in flax seed is largely the inactive (ALA) form, and dogs aren't very efficient at converting ALA omega 3 in flaxseed oil to DHA/EPA (the useful forms).

Whereas the omega 3 in fish oil tend to already be in the DHA or EPA forms, which dogs can immediately use.

Flax seed oil won't do any harm though, and might help a bit. I've heard it has other goodies in it (besides the omega 3), & although studies show it's not as useful as fish oil, there is anecdotal evidence of it helping skin and coat condition in some dogs.

:)

[Peanutsmommy]

be sure to know the source of the fish in fish oil. while fish oil is great be sure to know it is not preserved with EQ (ethoxyquin)

[titan1]

also if you supplement with fish oil (as I do) make sure you also supplement with vitamin E or get fish oil that already has it in it. The reason for this is that long term use of fish oil could lower a dogs natural vitamin E so supplementing would prevent this

[Amber]

Good point Titan, that's very important to remember.

[RileyRoo]

wow, very helpful! thanks guys! any suggested types? I have been looking and researching brands because I heard some have toxins in them not good for your dog.

I also order alot of things online and have no clue what the best quality fish oil would be.
deff going to keep searching and looking now for F.O with Vit E

[SMThe]

I think a practical issue with flaxseed oil is that it goes bad quickly.

[RileyRoo]

really? see, I havent read up on flaxseed but more so fish oil.

[Absolute Peril]

I like flaxseed MEAL. Great to put in the food, a WAY less of a chance for it to upset the stomach like oils sometimes do and it is rich in Omega 3s which I have found works WONDERS for dog allergys, and with skin and coat issues.

[Peanutsmommy]

I like flaxseed MEAL. Great to put in the food, a WAY less of a chance for it to upset the stomach like oils sometimes do and it is rich in Omega 3s which I have found works WONDERS for dog allergys, and with skin and coat issues.

is flaxseed meal the same as ground flaxseed?

we ususally use1 teaspoon ground flaxseed but we are out right now and the store we get it at sucks to deal with.

[Absolute Peril]

is flaxseed meal the same as ground flaxseed?

we ususally use1 teaspoon ground flaxseed but we are out right now and the store we get it at sucks to deal with.

I am pretty sure it is the same. (Mine looks like a brown almost powdery grainy type of substance). Personally for my dogs it works wonders. I use at least 2 tbs of it each. I too am almost out.
Also, one tbs of olive oil twice a week in the food is good for them too. I never do more then one tbs twice a week because it can upset the stomach. Olive oil is great for the skin and coat too, it also helps keep the dogs "regular".