Omega-3 For Dogs Calculator
The omega-3 for dogs calculator estimates the omega-3 dosage for dogs, depending on the intended use. Yes, it turns out that it's not just humans who can benefit from the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids! Check out the article below to find out more about omega 3 fatty acids for dogs and what dosages we should administer to our beloved pets 🐶🐾🐕.
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If you are interested in other calculators related to your dog's health, check our dog food calculator or the dog pregnancy calculator.
We try our best to make Omni Calculators as precise and reliable as possible. However, this tool can never replace professional advice. Please, consult your veterinarian whenever you are concerned about your pet's health.
What is omega-3?
Omega−3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are quite common in nature. Their chemical structure is characterised by the presence of a double bond three atoms away from the terminal methyl group.
There are several omega-3 fatty acids that are found in nature. The most common ones include:
- α-Linolenic acid (ALA);
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); and
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
They play an important role in human and animal health. Appropriate dietary amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA, seem to be essential for the maintenance of numerous organ and tissue functions. These include healthy skin, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, neural tissues, cardiovascular system, and bones, as well as promoting good cognitive and immune function.
Therapeutic use of omega-3 fatty acids for dogs
Administrating omega-3 for dogs can be beneficial for the treatment of:
- Inflammatory conditions such as atopy;
- Some renal disorders;
- Cardiovascular disease,
- Hyperlipidemia; and
- Osteoarthritis.
Apart from these omega-3 benefits for dogs, omega-3 fatty acids may also play a role in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, cognitive function, and behaviour; however, more research is needed to confirm these associations and establish recommended doses.
Omega-3 dosage for dogs
Now that you know what omega-3 is, in the table below we present the recommended omega-3 dosage for dogs:
❗ Remember that omega-3 doses should be calculated using your dog's weight raised to the power of 0.75 (Dog's weight0.75)!
Clinical disorder | Dosage (mg/kg0.75) |
|---|---|
NRC recommended allowance | 30 |
NRC safe upper limit | 370 |
Idiopathic hyperlipidemia | 120 |
Kidney disease | 140 |
Cardiovascular disorders | 115 |
Osteoarthritis | 310 |
Inflammatory or immunologic (atopy or IBD) | 125 |
where:
-
NRC- National Research Council; and -
IBD- inflammatory bowel disease
Dosages for kidney disease and osteoarthritis may be increased (up to the NRC safe upper limit) depending on the severity and chronicity of the disorder.
The omega-3 for dogs calculator - how much omega-3 for dogs?
Using omega-3 for dogs calculator is really easy. Just follow these steps:
- Enter your dog's weight - it can be entered in kilograms, pounds or stones, as our calculator has a built-in weight converter.
- Choose the purpose of the supplementation - you can use the recommended dosages presented in the table above or choose the option "Custom" if you want to enter your own dose (e.g. the one prescribed by the vet).
- That's it! You will see the total omega-3 dosage calculated for your dog 🤓.
Let's use an example - a 15 kg dog suffers from osteoarthritis. As you could see in the table, the recommended dosage of an omega-3 supplement for dogs with osteoarthritis is 310 mg/kg, therefore:
Total dose = weight0.75 * Dose
Total dose = (15 kg)0.75 * 310 mg/kg
Total dose = 2363 mg