If you don’t already include fish in your dog’s diets, it’s time to think again!
Fish is a rich source of nutrients and adds variety to your doggo’s regime. Let’s take a look at seven great reasons why your dog needs something fishy in its diet.
1. Cleans teeth
Yep, you read that correctly — fish can act as a natural toothbrush for your dog, keeping its teeth clean and mouth healthy.
Choose dried fish treats for dogs, and you’ll find its rough texture and abrasive scales give those gnashers a good clean, removing plaque and tartar (hardened plaque)!
You should also brush your dog’s teeth with a specifically designed dog toothbrush and toothpaste for the best dental hygiene.
2. Improves skin and coat
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily products like mackerel fish — and they’re incredible for your dog’s skin and coat.
These magical acids keep your doggo’s skin nice and hydrated, eliminating dryness and flakiness.
And its coat will become lovely and shiny too, reflecting just how good your dog feels on the inside!
3. Promotes joint health
Those omega-3 fatty acids also work on your dog’s joints! As your dog gets older, it’s likely that its joints will become inflamed and stiff. This can affect its mobility and ability to lead an active life.
The omega-3 fatty acids found in many fish species have anti-inflammatory properties and can help dogs of any age.
This is great news for both older dogs who may already have arthritis or joint conditions and young pups — it’s never too early to start them on a joint-friendly diet!
4. Boosts the immune system
Fish is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s packed with nutrients that help develop and boost your doggo’s immune system, including:
- Omega-3 fatty acids (again!)
- Vitamin A
- B vitamins
- Iron
- Iodine
- Selenium
- Zinc
Put them all together in one healthy food source — fish — and you are giving your dog a natural immune boost!
5. Improves cognitive function
We all know that dogs are intelligent beings, but did you also know that you can boost their brain power with the right nutrients?
Yes, you’ve guessed it, it’s those fatty acids again! Omega-3 fatty acids are known to aid brain health and cognitive function — brain cells with higher levels of omega-3 communicate better with other cells, meaning they’re great for all those tasks your dog loves to carry out!
6. Good for eye health
Both the omega-3 and vitamin A found in fish help your dog’s eyes and vision stay healthy.
Vitamin A specifically helps your dog to see well in the dark or in situations with low levels of light.
7. Suitable for dogs with allergies
Allergies can be quite common in dogs. These include allergies to dairy, wheat and soy, which are often found in processed dog food. Some dogs are also allergic to certain meats.
Fish is hypoallergenic and is a great source of protein for your dog if it can’t tolerate large quantities of meat.
And because the omega-3 and vitamin A found naturally in fish have anti-inflammatory properties, they can help with any allergy symptoms your dog experiences.
How can I include fish in my dog’s diet?
It’s really simple to include fish in your dog’s diet. While all fish for dogs is suitable, we recommend including oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon, which benefit from high levels of omega-3.
You can feed your dog raw or dried fish and even include some fish treats for dogs to add variety and enrichment to their diet.
What else do I need to know about feeding my dog fish?
Fish is a high-value protein source for your dog, providing a wide range of health benefits.
For the best experience, choose high-quality fish products for dogs.
Here at Gully Road, we only offer Australian-sourced fish, which is packed on our farm in Victoria.
This means we can see the quality of the food we provide for your beloved furry friend for ourselves — and we know that our discerning customers will only accept the best for them!
Treat your dog to our delicious, nutritious fish products — and watch them positively glow with all the health benefits they bring!
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