Salmon Oil V.S. Fish oil and Gelcaps V.S. Oil

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

I have been considering switching Echo from the salmon oil to the salmon oil soft gelcaps. The oil gets all over his beard and face and is very difficult to clean off enough to keep his face clean and dry.

My question is if anyone has any comments regarding the pros and cons of taking the gelcaps over the oil? I also would love any comments regarding taking salmon oil over fish oil? I understand about taking pharmeceutical grade and also to make sure it is tested for metal content such as mercury. I would LOVE any feedback that anyone has!! Thanks!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sally, as you may know, Jack is under the care of a veterinary dermatology/immunology specialist for severe atopic dermatitis. She recommended that I give him fish oil capsules, not the oil itself. I don't remember if she specified salmon or just fish oil, (she did specify human grade). But this was recommended for a medical condition, so I have to believe that giving the gelcaps is as effective as giving the oil itself, if not more so. I think it may be more concentrated in capsule form.
(As it turned out, the fish oil doesn't agree with him and we had to turn to EPO. But that's not relevant to your question, lol.)

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

Hi Karen and Jack! Thanks so much for your input. Have you ever heard of any adverse effects regarding the use of fish oil capsules due to spoilage? This came up in a discussion that I was having with someone who read it on the internet. Do you refrigerate Jack's capsules?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No, the label doesn't advise it, although it does say to store away from heat. And they're not refrigerated in the stores, although of course at that point the bottles are sealed. Jack's capsules are plant oils, not fish oil, but fish oil isn't refrigerated in the store, either.
I'll have to look into it further in a nutrition textbook or website.

[Melissa, Samson & Shelby]

I give my two Doodles fish oil capsules. They get the same ones that everyone in my family takes. We buy from a company that tests the fish and I wouldn't buy just a bottle off the shelf at the drug store. Fish oil capsules are not refrigerated. I'm sure there is an expiration date on the bottle. I can look at mine, but I'm sure that it has a long shelf life in capsule form. I buy a bottle that has 360 capsules in it every few months. The company that I use has salmon capsules as well, but I use the fish oil and the flax seed oil.

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

Hi Melissa and Samson! Thank you so much for your reply. May I ask what comapny it is that you use? I,also, want to make sure that the fish is tested. Thanks so much!

[Melissa, Samson & Shelby]

I use GNC for my supplements. The expiration on the bottle of fish oil capsules that I just recently purchased is Oct 2012.

[Kyoko]

How many milligrams is the each pills? My Fish oil gelcaps are 100mg. Should I give them one or two pills?

[Melissa, Samson & Shelby]

Fish oil capsules come is lots of different milligrams. The ones that I use are 300 mg of omega-3s per capsules. I really can't tell you how many to give. The adult instructions on mine, say to take 1 or 2 capsules up to 3 times a day. So... an adult could take up to 6 capsules a day! Personally, my husband and I usually take 2 per day. The kids and dogs usually take 1 per day. My friend gives her dogs 2 per day. I haven't seen research on exactly how many milligrams are recommended, but I haven't looked hard for that.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sometimes you also vary the dosage based on the time of year and condition of the dog's coat. Jack gets one 500 mg EPO capsule per day for maintenance, but when he's itchy, he gets two, and if he has a bad flare-up, we go to three per day occasionally. During periods when the dog's skin or coat seem dry, or they are losing hair or scratching, you may want to give more.

[Kyoko]

OK. Thank you!
Mine was 1000 mg, not 100 mg. So one per day should be plenty, I guess...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Fish oil dosages are different than evening priomrose oil, but I would think one 1000 mg cap a day would be fine. There are probably some EFAs in their food, too.

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

Is it necessary to still give fish oil/salmon pills if he's having fish (tuna, salmon, ect) added to his food that night?