Pet parents often underestimate nutrition during pregnancy in dogs unless there is a specific problem. And we are here to tell you why you should be extra careful.
Proper energy levels are crucial for normal development, especially in large dog breeds. Of course, all of this is hard to achieve only with food, and supplementation is sometimes needed.
You must’ve heard that salmon oil benefits pets due to its omega fatty acids.
But are you still wondering if salmon oil is good for your pregnant dog? The short answer is, yes! Salmon oil has some critical benefits to pregnant dogs, such as proper neurological development for puppies.
Let’s dive into it!
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Salmon oil is one of the many marine-based supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It is one of the best sources to boost the general health of both dogs and humans.
Interesting Fact: Many people fail to meet the general guidelines for salmon oil consumption. Only 10-20% of Americans meet those guidelines.
It is almost the same with dogs. Not many commercial foods have the proper amounts of omega fatty acids. The bad thing is that they cannot do anything about it.
The good thing is that you can include supplements in their diet to provide them with the proper amount of healthy fats.
Before you add any supplement, make sure it’s high-quality. Usually, high-quality products are pricey, but we have an exception. Brilliant Salmon Oil is a high-quality product for dogs and cats, affordable for most pet parents.
Considering this product’s benefits, it is one of the best on the market. It contains sufficient amounts of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
Brilliant Salmon Oil and OmeGo together care that your dog gets enough EPA and DHA. The production process lasts around 40 minutes, and no excessive heat and chemicals are used.
Did you know? There was a lawsuit recently against a company that misled its consumers. According to research, this product did not contain a single milligram of omega fatty acids.
Omega fatty acids are healthy fats; their strongest property is the anti-inflammatory effect and pain relief function. Omega-3 fatty acids include EPA, DHA, and ALA.
Here are some of the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids:
DHA and EPA are found mainly in marine-based products. That is why salmon oil is recommended for both humans and animals.
You are probably wondering what makes Brilliant Salmon Oil so special. And we are here to answer that question. Unlike many commercially available salmon oil products, this product has a full spectrum of fatty acids.
Nutrition in pregnant dogs is extremely important since proper nutrition can lead to a healthy litter. This can lead to adequate-sized litter.
Pregnancy is the most challenging period of a bitch’s life in which optimum nutrition must be achieved.
Top tip: Follow the advice from the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to meet the minimum nutrient standards while feeding your pet. AAFCO states all commercial foods must go through feed analysis or feeding trials.
Feeding dogs, in general, depends on the life stage of the dog, including:
Specific caution must be considered in the following groups of pregnant dogs:
If your dog is pregnant, it doesn’t mean it should get everything recommended for pregnancies. Remember that excess nutrients can lead to as much harm as deficiencies.
According to studies, bitches fed without any supplements can have a higher incidence of perinatal mortality. On the other side, supplemented bitches gave birth to puppies that had a significant weight gain.
Scientists say that deficiencies in maternal nutrition are associated with diseases in adult progeny. In other words, it is known as “fetal programming.” It means that the fetus’s progress will depend on the fetal environment and lead to permanent changes in the individual. This will affect the individual’s structure, physiology, and metabolism in adult life.
During pregnancy, dogs should have frequent but small meals. Divide the dog’s daily food portion into several small meals to make it easier for the dog to eat. This will prevent bloating and discomfort.
Even if the dog is not pregnant, it should always be provided with sufficient proteins for proper growth and development. Consult with a veterinarian to get the appropriate protein levels for your dog.
Don’t forget that dog’s nutritional needs increase in the later stages of pregnancy, and they might need up to 25-50% more calories.
DHA is the best-studied supplement for dogs and is beneficial during reproduction. This is the reason why it is added to many commercial growth diets.
So, what is the big deal with essential fatty acids? Most importantly, they promote a healthy immune system, skin, and haircoat. Besides, they protect the dogs from many diseases.
According to AAFCO, foods should contain 0.05% DHA of essential fatty acids, including linoleic acid, for proper growth and development.
Believe it or not, DHA can also lead to normal retinal function and hearing in puppies. Fatty acids accumulate in the brain and retina during fetal and perinatal development and are transferred to new litters through the placenta and milk.
Interesting Fact: Maternal essential fatty acids are decreased during pregnancy and lactation. Deficient animals with DHA early in life can have life-long developmental abnormalities.
When given to pregnant dogs, omega fatty acids, especially DHA, can improve cognitive and neurological development for her puppies. That is why dogs that consume salmon oil during pregnancy have better-developed puppies.
DHA and EPA are associated with lipid peroxidation in “translation,” which means reduced body weight and altered bone formation. However, one study found that dietary supplements do not adversely influence hip joint formation in dogs.
Another study found that dogs can tolerate high dietary DHA levels without intestinal upset. However, this study focused only on intestinal upset. It still means following the recommended doses to avoid the most common side effects.
Read more: Remember that the most common side effects occur due to an overdose. Read the most common side effects of salmon oil.
Pregnant dogs usually gain a lot of weight. We can only imagine how hard it was for them during that period. Having extra weight very often means having additional pressure and locomotory problems.
So, adding DHA and EPA into their diets can contribute to joint health. Omega fatty acids lubricate the joints and lead to better mobility.
Due to the anti-inflammatory effects of this “magical” product, your dog’s immune system will be boosted and stay as healthy as possible during pregnancy.
The main reason veterinarians suggest salmon oil during pregnancies in dogs is that it can lead to healthier puppies. The main benefits are seen when the puppies are born and start growing.
So, let’s move to puppies and the benefits for them.
Did you know? Human studies on pregnant women supplemented with marine-based products show that their children have greater hand-eye coordination at 2.5 years of age than unsupplemented mothers. This shows that such supplements are safe and have beneficial effects on infants.
First, don’t rush to include salmon oil in your puppy’s diet. Puppies should start consuming supplements when transferred to solid food and when the veterinarian suggests. It is safe to give your puppy salmon oil after 8 weeks, but only half the recommended dose. After 2-3 weeks, try increasing it gradually to the recommended dose.
Adding supplements also depends on the following factors:
But don’t worry. By the time you include supplements in their diet, they will indirectly consume the salmon oil if their mother is being supplemented. They will intake omegas from the mother’s milk.
If puppies have supplemented mothers and continue similar diets after weaning, they can perform better than unsupplemented dogs. DHA from salmon oil can make them better learners, and the training process will become more accessible than puppies that do not receive it.
Another great benefit of salmon oil for puppies is that it provides eye health for future litter. DHA levels are the highest when the pets are young. As they age, the levels decrease, so it is essential to keep supplementing your pet.
The most common eye health issues in dogs include:
This supplement can help in preventing dry eyes and macular degeneration.
The list of salmon oil benefits is very long. But one thing is sure. Healthy dogs greatly benefit from salmon oil because they can maintain healthy skin and enjoy a shiny coat.
Interesting Fact: According to studies, dogs that consume healthy fats can have better skin and coat after 28 days of supplementation.
Also, healthy fats can reduce the incidence of skin allergies in puppies. Their anti-inflammatory properties can relieve the dogs from inflammation.
Fast-growing dog breeds will benefit from salmon oil as well. For these breeds, it is recommended constant consumption. Supplementation should be started during the mother’s pregnancy. Salmon oil should be added to the dog’s diet when the puppies grow up.
This can keep your dog free from any locomotory and joint-related issues. Adding salmon oil can lead to better mobility and joint lubrication.
The list of benefits of salmon oil for pregnant dogs and puppies is long, but let’s resume:
Top Tip: To get the best performance, supplement your pregnant dog and puppies after weaning. Consult with a veterinarian to determine the best time for supplementation.
During the pregnancy, fetuses benefit indirectly since they get healthy fats from the placenta. After they are born, they are supplemented through the mother’s milk. But this is only in cases when the mother is being supplemented.
You must stay consistent to get the best results from any supplement. Consistency is the key, and your pregnant dog will gain benefits after a minimum of 3-4 weeks of consuming salmon oil.
If your dog is pregnant, you must prioritize its nutrition, especially during this period. Don’t add everything you read somewhere on the Internet, and always consult with your veterinarian.
Here are some of the most common supplements for pregnant dogs:
Remember that excessive supplementation consumption might lead to side effects. Carefully discuss your dog’s nutritional needs with a professional and decide your next steps.
Finding something suitable for the pet is the hardest part for any dog owner.
There are some considerations that you should be extra careful about.
Finding an oil that provides a full spectrum of all 21 omegas and polyunsaturated fatty acids is a true challenge, but it’s not impossible.
You should find a product that is pure and smells fresh. Believe us, your dog can become picky and needy during pregnancy, and that’s okay.
This is why salmon oil should be tasty and attractive for the pet.
Make sure to pick a product that is free from excessive chemical processing. This includes excessive heat during production and added chemicals.
Then, remember that the smell is as important as the taste. Pick a product that has a fresh salmon smell.
Maybe you will fail to detect all these suggestions from us, but you won’t fail for sure in one thing. Detecting the color!
It is easy to detect which color is good or bad. When picking the best salmon oil for your dog, find a natural orange color. Anything different than this might be a sign of bad quality.
This is why Brilliant Salmon Oil is one of the best on the market. It is produced with the lowest environmental impact, and the fish is carefully selected and processed. It has the closest taste to real salmon, which is why many pets and pet owners approve it.
The journey of Brilliant is very simple: from fjord to bottle. Maybe that’s why pets enjoyed more than 1 million bottles of this fantastic product.
Read more: Brilliant has won many awards, including Dog & Cat Supplement, Editor’s Choice Awards, and New Product Award.
Short answer: yes, salmon oil is good for pregnant cats.
Now, let’s get into more details. Like pregnant dogs, pregnant cats have changed their nutritional needs due to their physiological status. Generally, pregnant and sick dogs have higher nutritional needs, including vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.
In pregnant cats, omega fatty acids are transmitted to fetuses through the placenta and later by nursing through milk. This can improve the neurological development of the fetus and support its metabolism and immune system.
Omega-3 deficiencies can also occur in cats. However, they might remain unnoticed for a more extended period. To prevent this, adding omega supplements like Brilliant Salmon Oil to your cat’s diet during pregnancy is highly recommended.
Salmon oil is beneficial for any dog, but especially for pregnant dogs. When you supplement a pregnant dog, you help two generations.
Pregnant dogs pass the omegas from the salmon oil to their fetuses through the placenta and milk during the weaning period.
We would like to emphasize the neurological development benefit of salmon oil, but let’s not underestimate the other benefits of salmon oil for dogs.
Our best recommendation for your furry buddy is Brilliant Salmon Oil, and there is a massive reason behind it. Satisfied customers and healthy pets!
Are you still considering buying Brilliant? What are you waiting for? Get your bottle today!
