COD LIVER OIL

Ambers Mum · Old Hand

COD LIVER OIL

JENNY · Big Cheese

Hi

I give it in food sometimes. Just about a teaspoonful. Or I also use olive oil, but obviously that isn't specific to the joints.

Ambers Mum · Old Hand

Thanks Jenny

Do you just do it every so often or should it be given daily like humans?

I assume it must also be beneficial to other things other than their joints, such as their coats maybe???

Thanks

Kate

Suzanne · Guru

Hi Kate - it shouldnt be given daily to them - we had a lecture about it the other day - I cant remember why off the top of my head - will dig out my notes & let you know....

alright in small doses....tbh - you are prob better incorporating Glucosamine & Chondroitin in their diet - prob more beneficial for the joints (See Jolly Joints post in the health section for more info)...

MojoTilly · Master

We give Tilly 5mls in her breakfast every day (though maybe we shouldn't be) and it has done wonders for her coat ( as you can see in her photos!). Haven't noticed any side effects so far. We used to give it to our lurcher, Eeyore, and he never had any problems and it helped with his joints too.

Ambers Mum · Old Hand

Great to hear everyone's thoughts - keep them coming!

Will wait to hear back from you Suzanne once you've found your notes

Thanks all, Kate

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Hi Kate,

This is an exert from the following link Cod Liver Oil

cod liver is :

* High in energy (calorie) content
* High in Vitamin A content
* Contains some Vitamin D and E

If animals need nutritional supplementation of energy or Vitamin A cod liver oil (and other fish oils) are a good idea, However, if your pet is eating a balanced complete ration you could provide too much Vitamin A. Many pet foods are already supplemented with vitamins and can already contain large amounts of Vitamin A.

Cats are frequently presented to veterinarians showing the toxic effects of excess vitamin A which causes new bone to be deposited around joints causing pain, lameness and spinal problems. This is often associated with eating liver (also high in vitamin A content) or cod liver oil supplementation.

Provet advice : Don't give cod liver oil supplementation unless you are sure you won't exceed the toxic dose for Vitamin A in your pet. Ask your veterinarian for his/her advice.

Hope this helps.

Siouxsie

Ambers Mum · Old Hand

Hi Siouxsie, that's very helpful thank you. I'll check out their food before I do anything. Unfortunately the link you put on the page isn't working for me - do you have the full web link address please and see if I can get to it that way. Thanks again

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Hi Kate,

Try this link http://www.provet.co.uk then do a quick search for Cod Liver Oil.

Its like everything I suppose, if we feed our dogs a complete food, which contains all the essentials, so giving something else on top has to be in moderation so as not to overload their system with too much of one thing.

Instead of Cod Liver Oil try using olive oil which is safer in a dog's diet, about twice a week.

50 years ago there was a report that cod liver oil added to a dogs diet in excess would increase the death rate by cancer by 20 times.

Hope this all makes sense.

Siouxsie

-- Edited by Siouxsie at 11:13, 2006-03-24

Ambers Mum · Old Hand

Many thanks Siouxsie, I have managed to access that site now so will have a study! You just don't know what to do for the best do you?..... Kate

JanW · Master

Does anyone know what the recommended amounts of vitamin A would be for a hound?

Siouxsie · Enlightened One

Hello Janet,

I would imagine it all depends on what you feed your hounds, because of the different levels within the varies brands on the market. The above mentioned provet has some info on supplements.

But just be caution about not over doing the extras, because of problems that can occur.

Siouxsie

Gail · Big Cheese

hi everyone, have been reading the advice on cod liver oil. i was about to start using it for neo to improve the condition of his coat as he has dry flaky skin from the kennels and i thought it would help. As he is black it is really noticeable.

After all that's been said i,m not so sure now that i want to give it to him. Can anyone suggest anything else that they have tried that might help.

Been advised that bathing him more often will just make it worse...gail

Ambers Mum · Old Hand

Hi Gail

My Alfie has dry flaky skin (almost like dandruff). I have found that Aloe Vera Gel works well for the bald patches on his back legs (round by his tail) although the flakiness of the rest of his skin doesn't seem to bother him so I've just left that..I've not thought to rub it into all of his coat..... I've just assumed that some dogs have dandruff just like some people do! It's not itchy - it's just he has white speckles on his coat - like you say, more noticeable on a black dog (as Alfie is).

I would certainly be interested to hear if anyone else knows how to sort the 'dandruff' problem too!

Kate x

MojoTilly · Master

We use tea tree oil grooming spray on Tilly and that seems to help her dandruff when it flares up. She is also groomed every day which seems to get rid of the flakes. Tilly also has sardines which are supposed to help greys skin. She has the ones in tomato sauce but you can get them in sunflower oil which is good for their coat. We have recently changed Tilly onto Arden Grange dry food which has drastically changed her coat and general health. Maybe a change in food may help? It's trial and error for each dog finding what is right for them.

-- Edited by MojoTilly at 21:20, 2006-06-05