Heart Health in Hounds: Why Omega-3s Are Not Just for Coats
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Time to read 9 min
Ask most dog owners why they give their dog fish oil, and the answer is almost always the same. The coat. And fair enough: the results are hard to argue with. A few weeks of daily salmon oil and the difference in shine, softness, and shed rate is often obvious.
But here is the thing. The coat is the most visible sign of what omega-3 fatty acids are doing. It is not the most important one. The real story of EPA and DHA, the two key fatty acids found in marine oils, happens much deeper inside the body. It happens in the cardiovascular system, in the joints, in the brain, and at the level of inflammation throughout every cell.
For most owners, especially those with older dogs or breeds prone to heart conditions, that deeper story is the one worth knowing about.
Table of contents
What EPA and DHA Actually Are The Science of EPA and DHA: Inflammation and the Heart Arrhythmia, Blood Pressure, and the Senior Dog in Summer Marine Oils vs Plant-Based Oils: What the Difference Means in Practice Scottish Salmon Oil: Direct EPA and DHA in Every Pump Hemp Seed Oil: A Different but Complementary Role How Much and How Often? The Bottom Line FAQs
What EPA and DHA Actually Are
Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of fats that the body needs but cannot make adequately on its own. They have to come from food.
The two most important members of this family, from a health perspective, are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These are the forms found in marine oils, including salmon oil. They are long chain fatty acids that the body can use directly, without needing to convert them first.
There is a third omega-3, called ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which is found in plant-based sources including hemp seed oil and flaxseed. The body can technically convert ALA into EPA and DHA, but dogs are not very efficient at this process. Studies suggest dogs convert only a small percentage of dietary ALA into the long chain forms the body actually needs. This is an important distinction that we will come back to.
The Science of EPA and DHA: Inflammation and the Heart
The reason EPA and DHA matter so much for heart health comes down to inflammation.
Chronic, low level inflammation in the body is one of the main drivers of cardiovascular disease in both humans and dogs. When inflammation is present in the tissues of the heart and blood vessels over a long period, it damages the vessel walls, affects the heart's ability to contract and relax properly, and puts strain on the whole cardiovascular system.
EPA and DHA help manage this process from the inside. Here is how.
They are incorporated directly into cell membranes. When the body has enough EPA and DHA available, these fatty acids get built into the membranes of cells throughout the body, including the muscle cells of the heart. Cells with omega-3 rich membranes are more flexible, communicate more efficiently, and respond to signals more accurately. For heart muscle specifically, this improves the elasticity of the tissue, which helps the heart contract and relax smoothly with each beat.
They help reduce systemic inflammation. EPA in particular is a well studied anti-inflammatory compound. It competes with a less healthy fatty acid called arachidonic acid for the same pathways in the body, and when EPA wins that competition, the body produces less of the inflammatory molecules that damage blood vessel walls. This is a direct, measurable reduction in the inflammation that drives cardiovascular deterioration.
DHA supports brain and nerve function. DHA is particularly concentrated in brain tissue and in the retina of the eye. For dogs, adequate DHA supports cognitive function throughout life and is especially important in puppies during development and in senior dogs whose cognitive sharpness can decline with age. The heart and nervous system are closely linked: the electrical signals that keep the heart beating in a regular rhythm rely on healthy nerve function, which DHA helps maintain.
Arrhythmia, Blood Pressure, and the Senior Dog in Summer
For older dogs, omega-3s and heart health intersect in a particularly important way during the summer months.
As dogs age, the heart naturally becomes less efficient. The muscle may thicken or stiffen slightly. The electrical system that regulates heartbeat rhythm can become less reliable, which can lead to irregular heartbeats, known as arrhythmia. Blood pressure regulation also becomes more difficult, and hot weather compounds all of this by putting extra strain on the cardiovascular system as the body works to keep cool.
Research in both human and veterinary medicine suggests that EPA and DHA help support heart rhythm regulation by stabilising the electrical activity of heart muscle cells. This does not mean fish oil replaces veterinary medication for dogs with diagnosed heart conditions. But for a healthy dog, particularly a senior dog heading into the heat of August and September, daily marine omega-3s provide meaningful nutritional support for a system that is already working harder than it was a few years ago.
For owners with breeds known to be at higher risk of cardiac issues, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dobermanns, Boxers, and Great Danes, discussing omega-3 supplementation with your vet as part of a broader heart health conversation is worth considering.
Marine Oils vs Plant-Based Oils: What the Difference Means in Practice
This is the part that causes the most confusion, so it is worth being direct about it.
Hemp seed oil, flaxseed oil, and other plant-based omega sources are genuinely good for dogs. Hemp seed oil in particular has a well-balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, contains GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) which has its own skin and anti-inflammatory benefits, and is a strong choice for skin barrier health, coat condition, and managing mild inflammatory responses.
But when it comes to direct cardiovascular and systemic anti-inflammatory support, marine oils have a clear advantage for dogs, and it comes down to bioavailability.
Dogs have a limited ability to convert ALA (the omega-3 in plant oils) into EPA and DHA. This means a dog getting their omega-3s solely from plant sources may have significantly less EPA and DHA circulating in their body than a dog on an equivalent amount of marine oil, even if the raw omega-3 numbers on the label look similar.
For cardiovascular support specifically, EPA and DHA are what the body needs. They are what get built into heart muscle cell membranes. They are what produce the anti-inflammatory compounds that protect blood vessel walls. Plant-sourced ALA largely cannot fill that role at the conversion rates dogs achieve.
So the honest picture is this: marine oil and hemp seed oil are not competing products doing the same job. They have different strengths. Marine oil is the better choice for cardiovascular and systemic inflammatory support. Hemp seed oil has distinct advantages for skin health, coat condition, and the specific benefits of GLA. For many dogs, particularly those with both skin and cardiovascular needs, using both makes good sense.
Scottish Salmon Oil: Direct EPA and DHA in Every Pump
Scottish Salmon Oil is a naturally rich blend of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids from Scottish salmon, with EPA and DHA as the primary active components.
It is sustainably sourced and all natural. The easy pump bottle dispenses the right amount every time with no mess, no refrigeration needed, and no waste. It is simply added to your dog's food daily.
What makes Scottish salmon a particularly good source is the quality and concentration of EPA and DHA in the oil. Cold, deep water fish like salmon accumulate high levels of these long chain fatty acids from their own diet, which means the oil is naturally dense in the compounds your dog's body can use directly.
The benefits owners most often notice first are in the coat: softer fur, less shedding, healthier skin. But given everything above, those visible improvements are really just the surface sign of a much more significant process happening inside. The heart, the joints, the brain, and the inflammatory balance of the whole body are all supported by consistent daily use.
Suitable for all dogs from 16 weeks, including nursing and pregnant dogs.
Hemp Seed Oil: A Different but Complementary Role
For owners who want to support their dog's skin and coat alongside cardiovascular health,hemp seed oil provides the complementary benefits that marine oil alone does not cover.
Hemp seed oil is particularly rich in GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid with its own natural anti-inflammatory properties at the skin level. It has a well balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, which supports a healthy skin barrier, helps regulate sebum production, and is well suited to dogs with reactive or easily irritated skin.
If your dog has both cardiovascular needs and ongoing skin concerns, the two oils work well together. Salmon oil handles the internal, systemic, and cardiovascular role. Hemp seed oil addresses the skin barrier, coat texture, and surface level inflammatory balance.
They are not interchangeable, but they are complementary. Used together, they cover the full spectrum of what omega fatty acids can do for a dog's health.
How Much and How Often?
Both oils work best as a daily addition to food, not as an occasional supplement. The benefits of EPA and DHA in particular are cumulative. The more consistently they are incorporated into cell membranes over time, the more significant the effect on inflammation, heart function, and overall cell health.
Follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging, which are based on your dog's weight. More is not always better with fatty acid supplementation, and sticking to the recommended amount ensures the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio stays in the range that is most beneficial.
If your dog has an existing heart condition or is on medication, always speak to your vet before starting any new supplement.
The Bottom Line
Omega-3s do give dogs a beautiful coat. But they also support the heart, reduce inflammation throughout the body, protect the brain, and help senior dogs cope with the added cardiovascular strain of summer heat.
For most dogs, a daily pump of high-quality Scottish salmon oil is one of the most impactful single changes you can make to their long-term health. The coat improvement is the visible reward. The heart and everything else is the real reason.
Helena Lawrence
Helena leads marketing & e-commerce at Buddy & Lola, making sure dog owners can find exactly what their pet needs as easily as possible. She's passionate about spreading the word on healthy dog digestion and getting the right products in front of the right people.
FAQs
Is salmon oil good for dogs with heart problems?
Omega-3 fatty acids from marine oils like salmon oil have been studied for their role in supporting heart function, including helping regulate rhythm and reducing cardiovascular inflammation. They are not a replacement for veterinary treatment in dogs with diagnosed heart conditions, but as a daily nutritional supplement they provide meaningful support. Always discuss with your vet if your dog has an existing heart diagnosis.
What is the difference between EPA, DHA, and ALA?
All three are omega-3 fatty acids, but they behave differently in the body. EPA and DHA are long chain fatty acids found in marine oils, and the body can use them directly. ALA is a shorter chain omega-3 found in plant oils. Dogs can convert ALA into EPA and DHA, but they do so inefficiently, which means plant oils alone are less effective for cardiovascular and systemic anti-inflammatory support.
Can I give my dog hemp seed oil and salmon oil at the same time?
Yes. They have different and complementary roles. Salmon oil provides EPA and DHA for cardiovascular and systemic support. Hemp seed oil provides GLA and a balanced omega ratio for skin and coat health. Used together, they cover the full range of what omega fatty acids can do for a dog.
How long does it take to see the benefits of salmon oil in dogs?
Coat improvements are often visible within two to four weeks of daily use. The deeper benefits, including cardiovascular and inflammatory support, build up over several months of consistent supplementation as EPA and DHA are gradually incorporated into cell membranes throughout the body.
From what age can dogs have salmon oil?
Our Scottish Salmon Oil is suitable for all dogs from 16 weeks. It is also suitable for nursing and pregnant dogs. Always follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging.
