Which oils can I safely add to my dogs diet - for both increasing fat content and a lovely shiny coat?  I have been using a it of olive oil but wondered if there was anything better (and less messy!!).

i use  pure cod liver oil which i get from horse suppliers it makes my dogs coat shine really well, they will even try and lick around the tin when im pouring it!!

Take care using cod liver oil because too much vitamin A (there are high levels in cod liver oil) can cause serious side-effects.

I too use cod liver oil from a horse suppliers, for my eldest Beardie girl.  But yes, my vet said to not overdo it.  She has a teaspoon a day on her food.

Cheers for that - I'll get some and try that.  She is about the size of a cocker spaniel, maybe ever so slightly taller so would a teaspoon every day be okay?
Would this be preferable to the olive oil?

Flax seed oil has all the benefits of cod liver oil without the dangers of too much vit A.
I always add flax seed oil and Vit E to our dogs raw diet.

Omega 3 is a better than Cod Liver Oil

Oh gosh - which do I go for now
I think I have seen cod liver oil with Omega 3 in it - how about that one?  Would a teaspoon per day be ok for her?

I wouldn't use cod liver oil for reasons mentioned by other posters and the added risk or triggering epilepsy in breeds/lines within a breed which have a low threshhold. Better to use a fish BODY oil - oils high in omega 3 & 6 are relatively easy to come by :)

Okay I will give that a whirl then - especially as she was an RSCPA pup 14 years ago so who knows what is in her lines!!
Can you get it at the supermarket or will I have to search further afield?
Thanks everyone for you replies!

You can get Omega 3 at most big supermarkets I get mine by mail order

If the ones you get are in capsule form how many do you give them?  I really like the look of the oil Teri suggested but I can see it being a tad messy - especially if the boxer gets his chops in it and spreads it around the house :rolleyes:

Tesco have the 1000mg capsules on offer at the mo - £2 for 90 so that seems like a real bargain, they are usually much more than that  (Hope I can put this on here).

I use corn oil during a heavy moult. This was recommended by a vet I used to work for, and also an experienced breeder I know.

Why not try fish 4 dogs salmon oil. With my little jacks, I just add half a teaspoon to their evening meal. 

You could also feed them with sardines in sunflower oil once a week - they love that!  I mix mine with pureed or lightly steamed vegetables.

I agree with the others and would stay away from CLO, a small amount every now and then in the winter months shouldnt hurt,but certainly not everyday.I would also stay away from corn oil etc due to it's low bioavailability and high omega 6,6's are found in abundance in our's and our dogs diet,it's the omega 3's that are often missing.I also read a study that
"Increased consumption of omega-6 fatty acids, found in corn oil and most of the oils used in bakery products, could be a reason for the rise in incidence of prostate cancer in recent years, say the researchers." and a high growth rate of tumour's/cancer.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=65537-omega-corn-oil-prostate-cancer

One of the best and purest fish oils i have come across is Grizzly salmon oil

http://www.windmill-distribution.com/grizzly_info.htm

Thanks again for all your replies!  Hopefully she should put on a bit of weight and have an even glossier coat soon!!

omg, i didnt realise cod liver oil was that bad for dogs,although i have been using it for years on my dogs food without any side effects, maybe its time to change.

The best oils for dogs are FBO Fish Body Oils however not all FBO is the same, it is important to know how much DHA/EPA is contained within them.  They are the best source of Omega 3 essential for brain, heart and joint health.  When giving this it is essential to give Vitamin E (preferably natural not synthetic) as well as the former depletes the body of the latter.

An excellent source of FBO capsules is Healthspan, very high quality.  You can give as is or pierce and put on food.

Flax (linseed) is grain sourced and many dogs cannot convert these to a bioavailable format.

EPO or Borage Oil is high in Omega 6 but most diets are high in that anyway.

CLO is really not necessary if giving a commercial or raw food as both these should contain sufficient Vitamin A for dogs needs and this can be toxic to the liver, should not be given to pregnant bitches anyway and are lower in bio available Omega 3.