Hello,
I have been told to get some evening primrose oil to help with my dogs coat. I have looked at Dorwest Herbs and it is quite expensive!! Can I give evening primrose oil tablets from the supermarket instead?? Much cheaper!!
GG

I used to get the ones from Tesco for my dog, don't think they were that expensive.

I use the ones from ASDA

Is it the 500mg or 1000mg ones??? Is it one tablet per day?
Thanks
GG

The Dorwest ones are 500mg each capsule, and it's one capsule for every 10kg of bodyweight.  Apparently the ones with the higher GLA content are the best, so I've actually changed to using Starflower oil capsules (one a day), their GLA content is 22%, where EPO is only 10%.

Not looked at the Asda etc ones but this site has EPO on sale with only £1 postage

I keep an eye on holland and barrat as they occasionally have good deals ..good quality too.

I would advise giving fish oil along with vitE if you want to start fatty acid supplementation.Dogs absorb fish oil much better,it is higher in omega 3'S(the most important because dogs usually get enough 6's),it also has a multitude of other benefits which EPO does not,such as joint and heart health etc etc.

Here are a couple of good articles on fatty acids and Fats in general.

http://www.b-naturals.com/Mar2004.php

http://www.b-naturals.com/Jan2006.php

I either buy from Dorwest at dog shows or Holland and Barrat when on sale. 

I start with Evening Primrose as soon as the indoor heating season begins and it seems to stop itching from dry skin.  It works and does what I want it to do, so I don't experiment with other types of oils. 

You can get EPO very cheaply but you need to look at the content of the active ingredient.  Dorwest are very good quality, as is Healthspan.  I give Starflower (Borage) Oil instead of EPO as it has a higher GLA content.  GLA is different from ALA (flax seed) and the DHA/EPA from FBO.

It can assist with coat and hormonal issues but EPO must never be given to dogs with epilepsy.