Sadly eating most fresh fish, whether from the ocean, lakes and streams, or farm-raised, is no longer recommended. 

Fish oil supplements are dietary supplements that contain oil from fresh water fish such as Mackerel, Salmon, Black Cod, Albacore Tuna, Sardines, and Herring.

Mercury levels in almost all fish and fish oils have now hit dangerously high levels across the world, and the risk of this mercury to your dog’s health now outweighs the fish’s omega-3 benefits.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Canadian Governments Environment Canada list these “Critical Contaminants” as commonly found in Fish and Fish Oils: 

Chlordane

DDT and metabolites

Dieldrin

Dioxins and furans

Mercury (Hg) and methyl mercury

Metals: alkylated lead – nickel – copper – zinc – cadmium

Mirex 

Nutrients: phosphorus and nitrogen

Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB’s)

Polychlorinated biphenyls, (PCB’s)

Sediment and suspended solids

Tritium
 

Another commonly reported side effects of fish and/or fish oil supplements include fishy odor on the breath, upset stomach, and greasy stools. A more serious side effect can be an increase in LDL cholesterol, a harmful form of cholesterol. Large doses of fish oil supplements may also cause weight gain and decrease the absorption of vitamins A, E, D, and K from the stomach. If your dog has diabetes or subject to diabetes, use caution when feeding fish oil supplements, as they are reported to increase blood sugar. 

Taking large amounts of fish oils over a long period may increase the risk of mild bleeding resulting in nosebleeds and bruising.

It’s not a good idea to use cod liver oil as a fish oil supplement because it contains very high levels of vitamin A. High doses of vitamin A can cause headache, dry skin, itching, and liver damage.

Fishing can be wonderful recreation, but sharing the catch with your dog can be an act of kindness that kills. 

Salmon Poisoning Disease is a potentially fatal condition seen in dogs that eat certain types of raw fish. Salmon (salmonid fish) and other anadromous fish (fish that swim upstream to breed) can be infected with a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola. Overall, the parasite is relatively harmless. The danger occurs when the parasite itself is infected with a rickettsial organism called Neorickettsia helminthoeca. This microorganism causes salmon poisoning. 

Dr. Bill Foreyt, a veterinary parasitologist at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He says, “Canids (dogs) are the only species susceptible to salmon poisoning. That’s why cats, raccoons and bears eat raw fish regularly with out consequence.” 

Generally, clinical signs appear within six days of a dog eating an infected fish. Common symptoms of salmon poisoning include: vomiting, lack of appetite, fever, diarrhea, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and dehydration. If untreated, death usually occurs within fourteen days of eating the infected fish. Ninety percent of dogs showing symptoms die if they are not treated. If you have a dog that wanders, or raids trash cans and you are unsure of what it’s eaten; consider the possibility of salmon poisoning.  

There is promise in the future development of molecularly distilled fish oils but only from the standpoint of contaminant removal, the other side effects will still always be present.

In conclusion, feeding fish and fish oils just are not worth the risk. Every state in the USA and all Canadian Provinces advise humans not to eat more than one serving of fish per month. Many bodies of water list “do not eat warnings” for any fish or fish oils. Why then would anyone even consider feeding it to their family including their dogs? 

References:

http:/www.glin.net/humanhealth/fish/critical.html

Ohio Sport fish Consumption Advisory, Ohio Department of Health Year 2007 Fishing Season (on line)

Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2007.

Faschingcas, P. “Fish Oil Supplementation Versus Gemfibrozil Treatment in Hyperlipidemic NIDDM.

A Randomized Crossover Study,” Hormonal and Metabolic Research 28 (1996).

Gray, D.R. “Fish Oil As An Adjuvant in the Treatment of Hypertension,” Pharmacotherapy 16 (1996).

Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007

http://www.biodia.com/resources sources of chronic stress heavy metals.html

New York State Department of Health Chemicals in Sport fish and Game 2004-05 Health Advisories (on line)

http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2003/5837/5837.html

http://www.efsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-ltr38.html

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2005/oct2005_report_fishoil_01.html

http://www.foodwatch.org/fish/fish-campaign/dirty-waters-environmental-dangers

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/health/view/215865/1/.html

http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/advisories/newsjul05.htm

http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/135/1/The Problem -with-Fish

http://www.perm.org/health/reports/fish_report.html

http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/medical.asp

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