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I’ve been using Life Line products for years, starting with their pollock oil, salmon oil, and kelp. Life Line’s fish oil products have expanded to six oils, and while it’s tempting to alternate between them, I decided to dive a little deeper to learn the benefits of each one to figure out which oils would work best for my dogs.
Who is Life Line Pet Nutrition?
Life Line Pet Products is a pet supplement company based in Washington State. Ted Hayes started Life Line after 40 years in the pet industry – he wasn’t seeing high-quality fish oil products and set out to produce a better product for pets.
Life Line believes in sustainable sourcing and provides a truly organic product free of contaminants common in other products. For example, Life Line’s Alaskan Salmon Oil has repeatedly tested free of contaminants, removing the need to refine the oil using high temperatures and leaving beneficial nutrients intact.
I buy Life Line products because of the quality, the company’s commitment to the environment and our pets, and I love supporting a local, family-owned business.
What is Fish Oil?
Fish oil is the fat (or oil) extracted from fish. It’s usually derived from oil fish (salmon, tuna, and mackerel), and it’s also produced from fish livers, like cod liver oil.
Benefits of Fish Oil for Dogs
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for our dogs’ health, and I prefer they come from whole fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon, tuna, whitefish, etc.). However, I'll use quality fish oil if I don’t have fish on hand (or thawed).
Fish oil has a long list of benefits for our dogs:
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Inflammation is the body’s way of dealing with health issues. This is why fish oil is recommended for dogs with arthritis. However, allergies, skin, and gut issues can also be traced to inflammation in the body.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, fish oil is fantastic for dogs with arthritis, allergies, and other inflammatory health issues.
Study: Omega-3 fatty acids, cardiovascular risk, and the resolution of inflammation
SUPPORTS CARDIAC (HEART) HEALTH
Fish oil supports heart health and has been found to lower the risk of heart disease. Due to the fear surrounding DCM, I found a couple of studies that support this benefit:
- Study: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease: Are There Benefits?
- Study: Journal of American Heart Association, Marine Omega‐3 Supplementation and Cardiovascular Disease: An Updated Meta‐Analysis of 13 Randomized Controlled Trials Involving 127 477 Participants
SUPPORTS COGNITIVE HEALTH
Did you know that the human brain is 60% fat, and most of the fat is Omega-3 fatty acids? Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for brain development and cognitive health, making them beneficial from puppyhood through the senior years.
Study: Fish Intake May Affect Brain Structure and Improve Cognitive Ability in Healthy People
SUPPORTS EYE HEALTH
As our dogs get older, they may experience a decline in vision. Our eyes depend on Omega-3 fatty acids, and a diet deficient in this healthy fat can lead to vision decline.
Study: Circulating omega-3 Fatty acids and neovascular age-related macular degeneration
SUPPORTS SKIN & COAT HEALTH
Did you know that skin is considered an organ? It’s the largest organ in the body and depends on Omega-3 fatty acids to remain healthy. My dogs are raw fed, which supports skin health and keeps their coats soft and shiny. Fish oil supercharges that support.
SUPPORTS BONE HEALTH
Some studies have found that fish oil supplements reduce the risk of bone disease in humans. This is important for active dogs, working dogs, seniors, and geriatric dogs.
Study: Supplemental fish oil decreases urinary excretion of a marker of bone resorption in healthy adults
Life Line Fish Oil Products
One of the many things I like about Life Line is that all the fish used in their oils are wild caught, not farmed. This means that the Omega-3 levels are higher.
Life Line offers the following fish oil products for pets:
- Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
- Omega Fish Hemp Seed Oil
- Anchovy & Borage Oil
- Tuna & Alaska Pollock Oil
- Alaskan Salmon & Pollock Oil
- Wild Alaskan Fish Oil
So, which is best for my dogs?
When I was new to fish oil, I alternated between wild Alaskan salmon oil and wild Alaskan fish oil (pollock oil). Life Line offers so much more today, and I'm getting a kick in learning about the new options.
- hemp seed
- borage seed
- tuna
Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is sourced from the Cannabis Sativa plant and doesn't contain CBD or THC (despite the claims of some brands). However, it does have several amazing benefits beyond the Omega 3 fatty acids it adds to the diet.
- nutrient-rich, specifically vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, and zinc
- high in antioxidants, keeps cancer at bay
- great source of protein; keeps muscles healthy, speeds muscle repairs
- great source of fiber; supports a healthy weight and gut health
This oil is perfect for dogs with joint issues because the hemp seed oil alleviates pain while helping to reduce inflammation.
Benefits of Borage Oil
Borage oil is extracted from the seeds of the Borago Officinalis plant. Borage oil is rich in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), which supercharges this product for dogs living with inflammation.
The Anchovy & Borage Oil was formulated for dogs with allergies and skin issues. Combining the borage oil with anchovy oil created a product that gives our dogs all the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids while helping to decrease inflammation and allergy symptoms.
Benefits of Tuna Oil
Tuna oil contains the highest amount of DHA compared to other fish and is often used in manufacturing baby formula. The Tuna & Alaskan Pollock Oil product was formulated for puppies and pregnant dogs.
From LifeLinePets.com: DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid, 22:6) is the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid found in cell membranes throughout the body and is present in all tissues. It is the most prominent omega-3 fatty acid in neural, retinal and cardiovascular connecting tissue.
- Accounts for 97% of the omega-3 fats in the brain
- Accounts for 93% of the omega-3 fats in the retina
- Key component in heart tissue
- Naturally found in breast milk
The high DHA levels make the Tuna & Alaska Pollock Oil beneficial for dogs of all ages, specifically puppies, seniors, and pregnant dogs.
Fish Oil that I Chose for My Dogs
I alternate between the following fish oils:
- Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
- Omega Fish Hemp Seed Oil
- Anchovy & Borage Oil
- Alaskan Salmon & Pollock Oil
- Wild Alaskan Fish Oil
My favorites are Omega Fish Hemp Seed Oil and Anchovy & Borage Oil, because they seem to be the ones formulated to deal with the increased inflammation I see with Rodrigo.
Side Effects of Feeding TOO MUCH Fish Oil for Dogs
Fish oil is a regular part of my dogs' diet, and although I add it to the bowl several days a week (alternating with whole fish), I am cognizant of the side effects of feeding too much fish oil. It's tempting to double or triple the dosage if you're trying to correct skin issues or relieve joint pain, but doing so can create new health issues.
BLOOD SUGAR
If a dog has diabetes or is on a keto diet, feeding too much fish oil can lead to blood sugar spikes. Large dosages of fish oil can increase glucose production in the system. So, stick to the recommended dose and work with your veterinarian if you'd like to increase the dose.
DECREASED BLOOD CLOTTING
When Sydney was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma, foods I was told to avoid during an active bleed were fatty fish and fish oil because these foods have anti-clotting properties.
High dosages of fish oil can also lead to a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain), which can be life-threatening.
DIARRHEA
Dogs new to fish oil may initially experience diarrhea and gas. I always start small and slowly work up to the appropriate dosage.
VITAMIN A TOXICITY
I've been warned that feeding fish oil can produce toxic levels of Vitamin A. However, this is when feeding cod liver oil, not any of the oils offered by Life Line.
Alternatives to Fish Oil for Dogs
Some dogs have a fish sensitivity and cannot eat fish or fish oil without a negative reaction. For those dogs, there are other sources for their Omega-3 fatty acids. However, I don’t know how they compare:
- Pork brains
- Green beef tripe
- Grass-fed meat
- Pasture-raised eggs
There are also plant-based sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. However, those fatty acids come from ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) and must be converted to DHA and EPA in a dog’s system. In humans, only a small amount is converted to EPA, and less is converted to DHA. Plant-based Omega-3 fatty acids are mainly stored for energy.
A few plant-based sources of Omega-3 fatty acids:
- Chia seeds
- Brussels sprouts
- Hemp seed
- Flaxseed
