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The best oils for dogs – a valuable supplement

Dog licking healthy dog oil from a spoon Dog licking healthy dog oil from a spoon

Fatty acids are a very important component in our dogs' diet. Especially the vital unsaturated fatty acids, because the body cannot produce them on its own, they must come from their diets. High-quality oils are therefore often added to high-quality dog food. 

If you feed your dog a "BARF” diet, you have probably already been told during nutritional counselling how essential oils are for our furry friends. But supplemental oils are not only interesting for "BARFers". Because sometimes our four-legged friends need an extra boost of vitamins, minerals and energy. All this can be provided by a suitable oil.  

What benefits do good oils have for dogs?  

Apart from being an important source of energy, oils with unsaturated fatty acids are significantly involved in the processing of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. When your dog eats carrots, for example, his system needs fatty acids in order to absorb any of the vitamins. In addition, fatty acids are an important building block for the cell membrane. But the brain, nerves, vision and hormone formation also need fatty acids to run smoothly. 


Furthermore, fatty acids strengthen the health and elasticity of the skin, which has a direct effect on the coat. Animals can therefore benefit from the addition of oils, especially when moulting, so that the coat grows back healthily. Why not try our Canna Canis Oil, a 100% food quality cold-pressed organic hemp oil that is, of course, THC-free. 

 

Dog watching as a person pours healthy oil into a bowl Dog watching as a person pours healthy oil into a bowl

Isn't oil a fat, and therefore unhealthy?

The largest component of oils is fat. That is correct. But firstly, they also consist of plant matter, flavouring and other suspended matter and secondly, not all fats are the same. Fatty acids are an essential element of fats. They are utilised in the body through the digestive process. A distinction is made between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. 

Saturated fatty acids are more abundant in animal sources. They can have an unfavourable effect on blood lipid levels. However, this does not diminish their welcome contribution as energy suppliers. Saturated fatty acids are also responsible for the skin condition and its suppleness. 
Unsaturated fatty acids come in single and multiple forms. For example, omega-3 and omega-6 are among these essential fatty acids. They are digested particularly easily and play a supporting role in growth, brain performance, nerve cells, blood clotting and wound healing. For optimal support, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids should always be in balance. 

 

How much and how to feed oil to dogs

The dosage depends on the (ideal) weight of your pet. Too little oil and the positive effect fails to materialise. Too much oil and obesity can be the nasty consequence. If you purchase the oil from a knowledgeable feed manufacturer, follow the dosage recommendation on the packaging. The general rule is: 1 gram of oil per kilogram of body weight per day. This corresponds to approx. 1 teaspoon per 5 kg dog weight per day. 


How you administer the oil is up to you. Some dogs love to just lick the spoon. Others prefer to mix it into their daily feed. If you feed you furry friend fruit or vegetables, for example our Bio Greens or Bio Reds, adding the oils is particularly beneficial here to directly promote vitamin absorption. 

 

A bottle of healthy dog oil and a dog lying on a patch of grass. A bottle of healthy dog oil and a dog lying on a patch of grass.

Which oils are good for dogs?

In principle, you should always offer your dog the highest quality oil. Expired or even rancid oils do not belong in their diets. You shoulld only feed them cold-pressed oil. It may also be labelled "virgin" or "extra virgin" on the packaging. This is produced using a gentle process and thus retains all the important substances. 

If you are unsure whether and which oil is suitable for your pet, seek nutritional advice. If your furry friend has a kidney or liver condition, be sure to consult a vet before adding oil. The same applies to pregnant bitches and puppies. 

 

These oils are tolerated by most dogs:

  • Evening primrose oil
  • Hemp oil
  • Black cumin oil
  • Borage seed oil
  • Wheat germ oil
  • Linseed oil
  • Camelina oil
  • Walnut oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Olive oil
  • Grape seed oil

 

  • Pumpkin seed oil
  • Salmon oil
  • Krill oil
  • Hazelnut oil
  • Peanut oil
  • Corn oil
  • Sea buckthorn oil
  • Sesame oil
  • Sunflower oil 

It's all in the mix – combining oils correctly

 

Each oil contains different amounts of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, phytochemicals etc. To provide your pet with the widest possible range of beneficial substances, you can combine two or more oils when feeding. At DOG'S LOVE, we have chosen a combination of six high-quality, cold-pressed oils. The Natural Bio Oil blend is a balanced and varied addition to the diet.