Canine Fish Oil Dosing Chart

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Below is the maximum daily dosage of fish oil for animals with osteoarthritis (310 mg/kg0.75 of EPA/DHA per day), intended for use by veterinarians.

The maximum dose is not tolerated by all animals, and a lower dose may be preferable. A recommendation is to start with approximately a quarter of the maximum dose and then increase the dose slowly while monitoring for any side effects (such as loose stools and vomiting).

There are many different types (type of fish, etc.), formulations (pump dispensers, capsules, etc.), and qualities of fish oil available. Some independent companies offer quality control for human products, but many products are not tested. Quality products will display amounts of EPA and DHA on the label. A convenient way of providing fish oil is to purchase a high-quality joint diet. Other ingredients included with certain fish oil formulations may be harmful for pets. Some non-veterinary formulated supplements may not be appropriate for your pet, and can even be harmful!

We advise seeking out a product that evaluates for purity and freshness via third-party testing. Companies that perform this testing will be able to provide a certificate of analysis of the product upon request. We cannot provide specific recommendations for your animal without evaluating them, because while fish oil is generally benign and safe, certain side effects beyond weight gain and vomiting/diarrhea are possible. If your animal has health issues other than osteoarthritis, or if you have any other questions or concerns, contact your primary care veterinarian.

The dosing provided below is based on kg metabolic body weight (MBW, which = kg body weight0.75) of EPA and DHA combined (and not for just “fish oil” or “omega 3”).
Dog weight (lbs)Dog Weight (kg)Recommended dose (mg) of combined EPA/DHA for osteoarthritis
52.3574
104.5965
156.81308
209.11623
2511.41919
3013.62200
3515.92469
4018.22730
4520.52982
5022.73227
55253466
6027.33700
6529.53929
7031.84153
7534.14374
8036.44591
8538.64804
9040.95014
9543.25222
10045.55427
10547.75629
11050.05829
11552.36027
12054.56222
12556.86415
13059.16607
13561.46797
14063.66985
14565.97171
15068.27356
Orthopedic Medicine and Mobility

Veterinarians may contact us with questions and concerns about fish oil dosing.