Best Salmon Oil for German Shepherds: Enhancing Coat & Joint Health

Salmon oil is a fish oil supplement. VCA Animal Hospitals describes fish oil as a supplement derived from cold-water fish such as salmon, and says it is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

VCA says EPA and DHA act as anti-inflammatory agents and are used for inflammatory diseases, including skin allergies and dermatitis and arthritis. The Merck Veterinary Manual says essential fatty acids are indicated for itchy inflammatory skin diseases such as allergies, and that approximately 20% of dogs with allergic itching will show some improvement. On joints, VCA says EPA helps control joint inflammation. VCA also says hip dysplasia is most commonly seen in large breed dogs, and describes a study of German Shepherds in which overweight puppies were almost twice as likely to develop it as normal-weight puppies. For a longer coat, see our comparison of the long-haired German Shepherd and the short-haired one.

A supplement is not a drug. VCA lists supplements among non-drug health products and says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not review them for safety or effectiveness before they are sold. Manufacturers must make sure their products are safe and labeled accurately, and VCA adds that few supplements have been through rigorous scientific trials to show they work. Because VCA names the veterinarian as the best source of information about the safety of these products, ask your vet before you start any of the oils below.

VCA lists mild stomach upset, fishy odor, an oily coat, and itchiness or skin flaking as side effects of fish oil, and says to stop giving it and call the vet right away for signs of an allergic reaction. It says to use fish oil with caution in pets that take anticoagulants, have a blood clotting disorder, are diabetic or have had pancreatitis, or have diarrhea. VCA also says it may take several weeks to see the full effect. For bath-day coat care, see our guide to the best shampoo for German Shepherds.

Top Picks for Salmon Oil for German Shepherds

These six products are described from their Amazon listings and label photos. Five are liquid oils and one is a soft chew. Follow the serving on each label and your vet's instructions, and check the supplement facts panel for the EPA and DHA amounts.

Healthy Breeds Chews for Shepherds

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Healthy Breeds makes this one as a soft chew, 90 to a tub, and the label shows a German Shepherd. The listing says the chews are made in the USA with wild, clean-water, fresh caught salmon oils, and calls them an easy treat or snack to give.

Pros

• A soft chew, so there is no oil to pour or pump
• The label is made for the breed and shows a German Shepherd
• The listing says it is made in the USA

Cons

• VCA says not to use fish oil in animals that are allergic to any component, and these chews are made with salmon oils
• The listing calls the chews a treat or snack, so count them with the day's other treats

Zesty Paws Wild Alaskan Fish Oil

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Zesty Paws sells this as a 32 oz liquid fish oil for dogs and cats. The listing says it is a blend of Alaska-sourced pollock and salmon oils with EPA and DHA, so it is not salmon oil alone, and the label photo reads Wild Alaskan Fish Oil and All Ages. For a wider look at omega-3 options, see our roundup of the best fish oil supplements for dogs.

Pros

• A pollock and salmon blend with EPA and DHA, per the listing
• The 32 oz bottle is one of the larger sizes here
• The label says All Ages

Cons

• The oil is a pollock and salmon blend, not salmon alone
• Made for dogs and cats, not a formula for German Shepherds

Natural Dog Co. Salmon Oil

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Natural Dog Company's 16 oz bottle is a blend of wild-caught Alaskan salmon and pollock oil. The listing says the pump puts the oil straight onto a meal as a food topper, and that the species and origin of the oil are verified by Orivo. The label photo reads Omegas, EPA, DHA.

Pros

• Wild-caught Alaskan salmon and pollock oil, per the listing
• A pump puts the oil on food, and the listing gives a serving by dog weight
• The listing says Orivo verifies the species and origin

Cons

• A salmon and pollock blend, not salmon alone
• At 16 oz it is a smaller bottle, so check the label serving for your dog's weight before you plan how long it lasts

Pet Honesty Salmon Oil

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Pet Honesty's 32 oz oil is labeled 100 percent pure wild Alaskan salmon oil for dogs and cats. The listing says it comes from wild-caught Alaskan sockeye salmon, with no fillers, and that Pet Honesty is an NASC member company.

Pros

• Names one fish, wild-caught Alaskan sockeye salmon, per the listing
• The listing says Pet Honesty is an NASC member company
• The listing says it is made in the USA

Cons

• Labeled for dogs and cats, not a formula for German Shepherds
• The 32 oz bottle is a large first purchase for a dog that has never had fish oil

Chew + Heal Salmon Oil

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Chew + Heal's 16 oz bottle is wild-caught salmon and pollock oil. The listing says it has no additives or preservatives and a pump cap for measuring, and the label photo says wild caught and made in the USA. The listing sends you to the package for the serving by weight.

Pros

• Wild-caught salmon and pollock oil with no additives or preservatives, per the listing
• A pump cap for measuring
• The label photo says made in the USA

Cons

• A salmon and pollock blend, not salmon alone
• The listing says it suits all breeds and sizes and cats, so it is not a formula for German Shepherds

Vital Pet Life Salmon Oil

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Vital Pet Life sells this as a 64 oz liquid blend of pollock and salmon oil. The listing says the company is NASC certified and that a third-party laboratory, Orivo, verifies the origin and authenticity of the oil. The listing also names cats, ferrets, and horses, so it is not made only for dogs.

Pros

• The listing says it is NASC certified
• The listing says Orivo independently verifies the oil's origin
• The 64 oz jug is the largest size here

Cons

• A pollock and salmon blend, not salmon alone
• A 64 oz jug needs storage space, and VCA says to protect fish oil from light and follow the maker's storage instructions, including any refrigeration advice

Do you want to find more supplements for your pup? Check out our guide to vitamins for German Shepherds.

Buying Guide

This guide covers the source, the certification, the EPA and DHA amounts, the form, and storage.

Quality and Purity

Source: VCA says not to use fish oil when a reputable source cannot be obtained, because some sources carry a high risk of heavy metal toxicity. Check whether the label names the fish. Four of the listings above describe a salmon and pollock blend (Zesty Paws, Natural Dog Company, Chew + Heal, and Vital Pet Life), Pet Honesty names sockeye salmon, and Healthy Breeds says salmon oils.

Certification: The National Animal Supplement Council says its yellow Quality Seal means a supplier passed a third-party audit and keeps up with the council's quality requirements, and that a company must earn it. Pet Honesty's listing says it is an NASC member company, and Vital Pet Life's listing says it is NASC certified.

Nutritional Content

EPA and DHA: These are the omega-3 fatty acids VCA names in fish oil. Read the supplement facts panel for the amounts in a serving. Omega-3 fatty acids in dogs are the subject of a 2016 article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, titled "The essential nature of dietary omega-3 fatty acids in dogs".

Form: VCA says fish oil comes as a capsule or liquid, and to measure liquid forms carefully. The Natural Dog Company and Chew + Heal listings mention a pump for this. The Merck Veterinary Manual says many commercial products may be used at the manufacturers' recommended dose, and that large doses may cause weight gain or diarrhea.

Packaging

VCA says to store fish oil in a cool, dry place, protect it from light, and follow the maker's storage instructions, including any refrigeration advice.

Sustainability

The Smithsonian Ocean site defines sustainable seafood as "seafood harvested or produced in a way that supports productive fisheries and coastal communities and also maintains healthy ecosystems." If that matters to you, look for oils sourced from sustainable fisheries and check where the label says the fish came from. The Zesty Paws, Natural Dog Company, Pet Honesty, and Chew + Heal listings all say Alaska.

Sources

• VCA Animal Hospitals, Fish Oil
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Nutraceuticals for Joint Support in Dogs with Osteoarthritis
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual, Essential Fatty Acids for Integumentary Disease in Animals
• National Animal Supplement Council
• PubMed, The essential nature of dietary omega-3 fatty acids in dogs (JAVMA, 2016)
• Smithsonian Ocean, Sustainable Fishing (archived copy)
• Amazon listings and label photos for each product above