Evening Primrose oil

[Ann O'Connor]

I just started my Labradoodle Bella on Evening Primrose Oil.  I give her salmon oil with one meal and EPO for the other - 500mg.  Her pooh seems to be looser than normal.  Is this typical and should I keep her on it?  Would love to hear thoughs.

[Pauline Mooney]

Hi Ann, I'm sure this is a dumb question, but what made you start her on Evening Primrose Oil? Was it recommended?

[Camilla and Darwin]

There are lots of other discussions on Primrose Oil, that you can find by searching for EPO.

I can tell you this, though. Both are good for your dog, but salmon oil gives some dogs diarrhea, which is why many of us use EPO instead. I think that some dogs can handle both salmon and EPO, but if her stools are soft, she probably can't. You may want to try just giving 1 EPO tablet per day.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Most of the information about evening primrose oil is in The Food Group.
Fatty acids can cause loose stool in many dogs. Fish oil is usually more to blame than EPO, but giving both could definitely be the cause of the loose stool. Camilla is right, many of us use the EPO because our dogs can't tolerate the fish oil as well. Jack weighs almost 90lbs and will get loose stool from two EPO capsules in the same day. Try just giving one or the other and see if that helps.

[Ann O'Connor]

thanks. I have been giving salmon oil for a while with no problems. We try just giving one or the other

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My dogs can't take the fish oil - it causes loose poop. They have no problems with the EPO though.

[Elise/Toby, Rusty & Kirby]

My guys get fish oil. How about adding a tablespoon of yogurt? My guys get a tablespoon of goat yogurt with their breakfast every morning. They have great poo! Regular whole fat yogurt is good but the goat yogurt is easier to digest. I get mine at Trader Joe's

[Ann O'Connor]

Thanks. I add pumpkin to Bella's meals that seems to help as well.

[Holly Doodle]

I have been researching the benefits and side effects since we've started to give it to Holly. In humans loose stools mean you're getting too high of a dose, so it's probably the same for dogs.

[Ann O'Connor]

thanks so much

[Melissa & Porter]

Porter weighs 63 lbs and gets a 1000mg capsule in the morning. I can't find it in 500mg...is 1000mg too much? I think I remember it was 500/25 lbs of dog?

His poop is fine and it does seem to reduce his scratching, fur pulling out. When I ran out of the first bottle, I noticed he was a lot more itchy in the two weeks it took me to go to CVS and get another bottle.

These days, he takes the capsule from my hand or the food bowl and brings it to under the dining room table--his spot for grade-B savory treats. Grade A treats (like dyed Easter eggs) are brought to my bedroom. Then he walks back into the kitchen and starts his kibble.

[Ann O'Connor]

I am giving her 500mg once a day. she seems to be better now.