Omega 3 provided by algae oil is a new thing in the dog supplement world. It’s a vegetarian alternative to fish oil, but is it any good?
I’ve been trying out Fera Pet’s Plant Based Omega 3’s in order to give you an insight into this, what it is, how it works and how effective it is, so that the research is done for you, and you don’t need to (you’re welcome!).
So let’s start with a few basic things.
This is a sponsored post gained via pupfluence, however, it does not change my opinion on this product
What Is Algae Oil For Dogs?
Algae oil is a fantastic source of Omega 3. It comes from algae, a small, usually green, aquatic plant that is rich in nutrients, and is usually eaten by fish like Salmon. If you have ever had a fish tank? It’s why you buy filters and it’s why your water starts turning green after some time.
Think of it as the ocean’s version of grass.
The oil that’s extracted from it is nutrient dense and something that is something that can supplement the diet of our dogs.
Is algae oil good for dogs?
Yes, algae oil is a source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are known to be good for promoting brain and eye development in puppies, reducing inflammation and the obvious creating shiny coats and healthy skin among other things.
What are the benefits of algae oil for dogs?
Algae oil is packed full of Omega 3’s which are well documented for their positive effects on;
- Creating a phenomenal coat
- Keeping skin healthy
- Supporting cognitive health & development
- Fighting inflammation
- Improve joint health
- Lowering the risk of heart disease
- Maintaining eye health & development
- Assists in the development of nervous systems
- Relieve allergies
Alternatively, a dog who is deficient in omega 3’s can struggle with;
- Low quality coat
- Produce excess dander
- Can have more severe allergies
- Get more frequent hot spots
- Slow wound healing
- Frequent ear infections
So if you’re even the least bit house proud, this one should be on your list.
Isn’t Algae Problematic To Dogs?
I’ve also been told to avoid “algal bloom” in ponds, so I totally know where you’re coming from, however, it’s good to note that some of these “algal blooms” (namely the blue-green algae that gets referred to) is not actually algae at all! Instead it’s bacteria.
Next, Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are usually a life stage and subspecies or algae that harbour toxins, which can kill off fish and other marine life.
Safe to say that Fera Pet isn’t using that kind! They’re using marine algae that fish like salmon normally feed on to get their omega 3’s.
What is omega 3 and why does my dog need it?
Well, omega 3 is one of the necessary components to help create healthy joints, and aid brain function. And it helps keep coat and skin healthy.
All of these things are often included in a “balanced” meal, to an “accepted” level as dictated by AAFCO, but additional omega 3 is usually beneficial as the levels in dog foods are a bare minimum. Supplementing it with substances like algae oil is a great way to ensure your dog is getting the most out of their diet.
Note: Always feed as described on the label as excess fat in a dog’s diet can lead to pancreatitis.
Why feed algae oil vs fish oil or krill oil to your dog?
First, if your dog has allergies to fish, this vegetarian alternative can be a fantastic way to give your dog the omega 3’s they need.
Second, algae oil is (theoretically) more sustainable, as it only needs sunlight to grow – this is the one I love. I’m a big fan of sustainability and, solving problems from the ground up, so, If there’s a way to get omega 3 fatty acids that are important, from a different source than fish? Then we may balance out a demand for omega-3 that’s growing.
It’s also a vegetarian alternative, which some dog owners would rather support.
Lastly, it has shown almost identical absorption in humans! So it’s equally effective.
Are there any issues with it coming from algae?
None that we currently are aware of, it’s like instead of using a cow for their bone marrow, we’re using the grass they eat for the same outcome (the equivalency of that metaphor is a little loose, but you follow, right?).
Essentially, adding supplements of DHA & EPA are helpful for your dog when given in appropriate amounts.
How do I use Fera pet’s Algae oil?
My need for omega-3’s comes as standard for Indie. Indie’s raw fed and I DIY most of it. However, Indie doesn’t like oily fish, which means that he can struggle for the Omega-3’s in his diet. So, to round it out I’ve always fed some sort of Salmon oil, krill oil and/or flaxseed since we began.
I’ve followed the instructions for the use, and we add three measured teaspoons for him, this is the recommended amount for a dog of 90 lbs like him and it’s something we make sure to follow strictly. I pour it over his meat at the moment, but I am debating making some little algae oil ice cubes.
What I love about it
We’ve been feeding it for a month before publishing this, and I can say without a doubt that it works a treat. I gave him a good groom before this, we’re in a fairly temperature stable part of the year, and he seems to have less dander and he’s shedding less too (which with a german shepherd, shedding less is wonderful!).
But other than decreasing the tumble-floofs around my home, let’s have a look at a few of my favourite features.
It smells way less than fish oil – or fish.
Having fed green lipped mussels, and having fed salmon and krill oil in the past, this is the least smelling and most pleasant at to feed omega-3’s (naturally). It’s not hugely stinky at all, and if you’re sensitive to smell, there is a little smell, but nowhere near as pungent as the others. it’s like a 4/10 for smelliness as opposed to an 8/10 for most other omega-3 supplements!
Same Results.
Going into this review process, I was concerned that it wasn’t going to be as effective as the salmon oil or krill oil I’ve fed in the past.
Which is totally natural! But having used those products before? I can say with certainty that this functions equally well with skin and coat.
It’s Sustainable.
With the demand for omega-3 increasing with big pharma, the fish food production can be slow in serving it (which we seen in 2021) and algae? Is a plant, so it’s metabolising only sunlight and water to produce what we want it to. It creates a shorter to-market speed and needs a lot less cultivation and (I would imagine) human or chemical interference than fish. I mean, algae’s even being looked at for a fuel source!
Also, they’re actually supplying it in glass bottles. Whilst these are easier to break, they’re also much more recyclable! Which makes me very happy.
What I don’t like about fera Pets algae oil.
The level of Omega-6 does concern me
It seems quite high which isn’t why I tend to buy fish oil. Omega-6 can be slightly problematic and counteract a lot of the things that Omega-3 does. This in itself is a concern, but I am seeing positive changes in my dog’s coat – so – the evidence suggests it’s working and the omega-6 is not affecting things.
Pricey
The small bottle for big dogs thing always gets me, and I totally understand that omega-3 can go rancid, and needs to be used quickly, but at the same time, regular use of the bottle I received gives me 15 days. Which, at $30 a bottle means his coat is costing me $2/day.
It’s good to note that the small bottle size is likely to come from the fact that algae oil – the same as fish or krill oil – can still go rancid if it is not used within a certain period of time, which is why Fera Pet has almost certainly made it such a small bottle.
But, let’s say I wanted to feed it to all three of my dogs – I would need to use 9 teaspoons of this per day which would mean this bottle would last me 5 days.
By making the bottle so small, they’re severely limiting multi-pet households.
This said, there is a 10% discount for signing up for regular shipments!
The Verdict on Fera Pet Organic’s Plant Based Omega 3’s
Frankly, I love the effect it’s had on Indie’s coat. It’s soft, and glossy, and for me? It’s not stinky. I’d definitely use it in preference to fish oil.
If you’re looking for a more sustainable alternative to fish oil, or maybe your dog just has allergies to fish! This one absolutely is for you.
My only real crib is that I own three large dogs, which makes the bottle size totally inappropriate.
If you want to try Fera Pet Organic’s Plant Based Omega 3‘s for yourself, why not! It’s a fantastic vegetarian alternative to fish oil!
You Can Use Code “PUPFLUENCE” for 10% off!
Author, Ali Smith
Ali Smith is the Positive Puppy Expert, dog trainer and is the founder of Rebarkable. She is passionate about helping puppy parents get things right, right from the start. To help create a puppy capable of being a confident and adaptable family member and keep puppies out of shelters.
Ali has won multiple awards for her dog training, and has had her blog (this blog!) rated as 2021 & 2022 worlds’ best pet blog!
