I have a question about Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Is it good for dogs, what does it do to a dogs system, etc. Thanks Karen, and keep the info coming please! – Al & Karen
Karen Murray Replies:
It’s true that Olive Oil is rich in A, D, E, K and essential fatty acids but what about for dogs?
I knew that the ratio of the omega’s 3’s and 6’s needed to be in balance but I was not aware of how Olive Oil worked for them. The following is a statement from Dr. Becker. “Most foods available, whether purchased commercial or homemade, are rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Because the average pet diet is heavy in omega-6’s, supplementing with additional omega-6’s in the form of corn oil, olive oil, safflower oil or even flax oil (that contains some vegetable sources of omega 3’s, but also omega 6’s) can create an imbalance serious enough to cause skin problems.
Omega-6 fatty acids, in abundance, become pro-inflammatory (not anti-inflammatory) oils. If your pet gets too many of these without a balance of healthy fish-based oils – DHA and EPA – it can be a real problem. It’s also important to note that dogs and cats cannot convert omega-3 vegetable sources into DHA. Flax oil has some omega-3 value for humans, but that doesn’t hold true for your pet. So it’s really important that you supply fish-body oils or krill oil to your dog or cat.”
To improve the fat balance for each particular protein source, I give:
When feeding Poultry —1 Krill Oil capsule daily along with Virgin Coconut Oil (from the local health food store).
When feeding Beef —1 Krill Oil capsule daily along with Hemp Oil (cold pressed from the local health food store)
I feed canned Sardines or Salmon 4 times weekly and Eggs 4 times weekly added to their regular food. Krill oil is NOT given on days you feed fish.
This is really interesting. When you say you give one Krill oil capsule daily what size are you talking about 1,000 mg?
Along with giving krill oil you recommend hemp or coconut oil depending on what protein source you are feeding. How much do you give of the other oils per feeding?
You add these oils even when feeding Honest Kitchen?
For me it’s different, since I feed totally raw. Mine turns out to be 3 times per week because I feed sardines on the other 4 days.
Remember to introduce your oils one at a time in small quantities so as not to cause upset. Check the analysis of your brand of dog food to see if they include any amount of the following oils in their foods usually listed as Omega 6, Omega 3, EPA, DHA. Kibbles don’t typically have a lot of these oils in them but cut back on the amounts listed below if that is the case.
Sorry to keep referring to Dr. Becker all the time, but she is the expert on these types of things.
“Exactly how much to supplement depends on the current health of your pet and the wellness goals you want to achieve.
If your pet is currently in good health, I recommend supplementing with krill oil as follows:”
KRILL:
• 250mg daily for toy breeds and cats (1-14 lbs)
• 500mg daily for small dogs (15-29 lbs)
• 1000mg daily for medium dogs (30-49 lbs)
• 1500mg mg daily for large dogs (50-79 lbs)
• 2000mg daily for dogs 80+ lbs
COCONUT: This comes in a jar (it’s a solid gel type) at the health food store. You can purchase capsules but they are huge and you have to give quite a few to equal the above mg’s.
1 teaspoon per 10-20 pounds per day.
HEMP: This is cold pressed and found in the refrigerator section of the health food store. It’s figured by the cup’s fed.
½ cup of food = 1/4th teaspoon
1 cup of food = ½ teaspoon
2 cups of food = 1 teaspoon
Etc.
Like the other dog foods, you would have to check your Honest Kitchen’s variety analysis to see how much you might want to add to the food.
Let me know if you have any more questions. 🙂
Thought some of you might be interested in this Coconut Oil article! 🙂
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/
I just wanted to say that Koda was itching all over like crazy when we started with Krill oil, I kept at it and he is fine with it now.
I alternate the oils everyday between salmon and krill. He gets coconut oil (smells heavenly!) everyday.
Thank you SO much for sharing that Josie!
I guess you just never know until you really try!