Hi Everyone.  I'm new to ChampDogs.  This is a terrific site with lots of information.

I currently feed my 2 GSD's Burns but was looking for a good wet food to add as a mixer.  I've just been looking at some old posts and I note a lot of you like Naturediet.  I've just had a look at their website and it seems very good. So, I'm going to try it.

I haven't the nerve to go raw, just don't know enough about nutrition.  My two are getting old now so I've been looking for a good fish oil as a supplement to help the joints.  Would anyone be able to recommend one?

I give my dogs Salmon oil in their diet

https://www.healthspan.co.uk/shop/product.aspx?id=O3-C

I would recommend the above which is what I give to my dogs.

as these are aimed at humans will they be ok for dogs

Yes, the fish oil that is fed to dogs does not differ from that aimed at the human market............

I have started giving my dogs Salmon Oil from this company (I won 3 bottles on eBay!) and I must say none have refused it in with their meals, so I will be buying some more.  http://www.salmopet.no/english/about_us.htm

The human grade supplements are better quality and are more controlled than the ones made for 'pets'. All the supplements i give my dogs are 'human grade',bought from a health shop :) I give salmon oil.

Quistel have a super quality Fish oil called Quistel Omega 3 with added Vit E.

Hi

Was interested in this product but was wondering if you know whether it is suitable for puppies as well. We already give our older dog a fish oil supplement but was considering changing to this Salmopet. Is it safe to give to an 11 week old Newfoundland pup too? I checked their website but couldn't find anything about this.

Thanks

Fish oil is safe to give dogs at any age :)

Thanks for all your replies everyone, that's given me a few ideas. 

And a big thank you to all you guys who mentioned ND.  I found Burns very dry and dusty and I noticed that my two would cough occassionlly when they ate, like it was sticking in their throat and I thought it was a bit too dry for them.  So I'm mixing some ND in with it and it's done the trick.

Well, it was definitely a hit, they tucked into their dinner this morning and you could tell they absolutely loved it.  And again tonight.  Both of them too.  

I wouldn't have thought of this one myself so thanks again. 

You can always add water to dry complete foods - they're not dusty then. ;)

Sorry, I didn't explain that very well.

I add glucosamine and chondroitin for the joints but it's in capsule form.  So instead of giving them a capsule, I sprinkle it over the food.  Not good with water as they can taste it and they don't like it.  I was adding a little bit of gravy but they were like slopping it up instead of crunching.  I like them to crunch to help keep their teeth clean.  ND works a treat. Give them the best of both worlds, they get the supplement and they also get to crunch without it being too dry. And they love it, hope it continues :-)

Just out of interest, is there a reason you don't give them the capsule? I've heard that some capsuled remedies are most effective if they're released more slowly into the body - the capsule itself is important to slow the absorption. I don't know if that's the case with that particular remedy though.
:)

That's very interesting. You have a point, I never thought of that. It's actually Synoquin and they're called sprinkle capsules.  I thought that meant they could be sprinkled? They seem to be doing very well on it.  Some people say that capsules can get stuck in the throat; and I thought sprinkling on the food would be less stressful for them.  They will tolerate being medicated though.  I will ask around unless anyone here has any idea?

I honestly think it's a myth of dry food keeping teeth clean,i think it's the opposite of what most people thing,IMO wet foods keep the teeth cleaner than dry foods.
You know the feeling of when we eat dry,hard foods such as crackers or bickies etc. they tend to get stuck in every crack,but when we eat something soft and mushy our saliva tends to wash it away,i think it's the same with dogs :) Also high carb,grainy foods tend to stick and coat the teeth :(

I think the only way a dry food would even remotely keep the teeth clean would be it's a huge kibble that the dog has to crunch on a few times to swallow,i dont know about anyone else but i've never seen a dog crunch and chew a bowl of kibble,they usually inhale it :p

Just my two pennorth worth :)

Spended i coat my dogs capsules/tablets in coconut oil(hard oil) or butter(homemade) and it slides right down,and the coconut oil is brill for their skin and coat :)

I'm living with a myth then :)  I think you are right though it does need to be big enough for them to crunch not a problem with what I feed and it is no where near as crumbly as a cracker or biscuit so perhaps thats where the difference lies.

Here are is a comment from a member from another board,she is a very educated well respected member :)

Canned food is actually BETTER for your pet's teeth. Tarter buildup comes mostly from carbohydrates, which are VERY prevalent in kibble but oftentimes there's VERY little in canned food.

Remember, vets don't have much nutritional training. And if it helps, my dad's a dentist - carbs are the worst thing you can put on your teeth (unless you brush - then it won't matter).

So feed canned!!! It has a higher percentage of meat, lots of moisture (for dogs who don't drink enough) and is also good for their urinary system, etc., as most canned foods are.

Whole Dog Journal did an article on canned vs. dry in the last few months. Their verdict was that canned was better for teeth, kidneys and nutrition (canned food has more meat and nutrients are better preserved in the canning process).

>vets don't have much nutritional training

How do you study anatomy, physiology and aetiology and miss out nutrition?

Thanks Edie, lots of more useful tips, :-)

I've fed my two dry complete for years and their teeth are very good.  Pearly white and clean.  But you could be right, I don't know if it makes much difference whether it's dry, raw, homecooked or wet.  I do think it's important to keep their teeth clean. I usually inspect and if there is any tartar, I scrape it off.

Some dogs do indeed devour their food but these two aren't so bad. They definitely crunch quite a lot but I don't know if that makes much difference to the teeth.  Some say it does, some say not.  I can't be sure. :-)

If your dogs teeth are pearly white after years on complete how sure do your need to be? :D

Lol, you'd definitely think it had something to do with it.  But everyone has their own opinions.  I do brush though so that may have helped over the years.

HI

Thanks for the tip about the Salmopet. My order arrived today and I've just put it on both dogs food. Happy to report that they have cleaned their bowls in record time. Given that they both tend to be 'grazers', I'm amazed by this!! It is twice the price of the previos oil I was using but worth every penny to see them enjoying their food so much. Obviously can't yet comment on potential health/coat improvements. My only concern is that it appears to have turned my Newfie pup into something resembling a kangaroo...she's literally bouncing around the house and garden...and all over our older boy who is just letting her. He has more patience with her than I do sometimes!!

I am 2 weeks into giving my dogs Salmopet so I'm hoping within another 2 some benefits will be seen!

hi Christine W the Salmopet you brought from ebay was it from usa? do you know if you can get this make in UK?

Hi

The Salmopet I bought came from a UK website...www.canineconcepts.co.uk. Costs £8.99 (+ shipping) for a 300ml bottle. I ordered it on Tuesday and it arrived on Thursday (and I live in Northern Ireland and most companies treat us like we're Outer Mongolia when it comes to deliveries...charge much more and take much longer) so I was quite impressed to receive it so quickly.