Cod Liver Oil

🐟 Cod Liver Oil

What it is:
Cod liver oil is extracted specifically from the liver of codfish.

Nutrient Highlights:

• High in Vitamin A (retinol form)

• High in Vitamin D (D3)

• Moderate Omega-3s: EPA + DHA

Benefits:

• Supports immune health and vision (Vitamin A)

• Helps regulate calcium metabolism and bone health (Vitamin D)

• Offers anti-inflammatory benefits from EPA/DHA

• Useful for dogs needing fat-soluble vitamins (like seniors or those with poor nutrient absorption)

Cautions:

• Can be too high in Vitamin A or D if overdosed—especially for dogs already on a multivitamin or eating organ meats regularly.

• Not ideal as the sole omega-3 source in high doses due to the vitamin levels

🐠 Omega-3 Oil Blends (Anchovy, Krill, Salmon, etc.)

What it is:
These blends are made from the body oil of small cold-water fish or krill.

Nutrient Highlights:

• Rich in Omega-3s (EPA & DHA)

• Low in Vitamin A/D unless added

• May contain astaxanthin (antioxidant) in krill or salmon

Benefits:

• Strong anti-inflammatory properties for joints, skin, brain, heart

• Helps reduce itching, allergies, cognitive decline, and arthritis pain

• Can be dosed higher than cod liver oil to reach therapeutic omega levels

• Safer for dogs needing high omega-3 without excess fat-soluble vitamins

Cautions:

• Choose high-quality, purified oil to avoid heavy metal contamination

• Can oxidize—choose packaged in dark bottles and store cold

🧠 Summary:

• Cod Liver Oil is more of a nutrient-dense supplement—think of it like a whole-food multi with omegas.

• Omega-3 blends are better for high-dose anti-inflammatory support.

Many of my clients rotate cod liver oil a few times per week while using a purified fish or krill oil as the main omega-3 source.