By Ali Wetherbee

“My strongest advice is if you supplement with nothing else, you always supplement with fresh cod liver oil.”
-Dr. Ian Billinghurst, holistic vet and author of The BARF Diet

Most pets today do not get enough omega-3s. Commercial pet foods are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which causes an imbalance in the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. A high quality omega-3 supplement can correct this imbalance and the symptoms caused by it. Even if your pet is eating an all-meat or raw diet, supermarket meat — most of which comes from CAFOs — is much lower in omega-3s than meat from free-range, pastured animals. Excess omega-6 can lead to inflammation and many other health problems. While pet food companies are starting to recognize this and add omega-3s to their formulas, they generally use plant-sourced omega-3s, which lack the EPA and DHA essential to your pet’s health.

Nourishing World recommends supplementing your pet’s diet with Green Pasture Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil, which is an excellent source of EPA and DHA, as well as vitamins A and D. Fermented cod liver oil is important because the fermentation process retains the nutrients that are otherwise easily destroyed by exposure to heat or air.

Benefits of Fermented Cod Liver Oil for Pets

Adding Green Pasture’s Fermented Cod Liver Oil to your pet’s diet has numerous benefits, many of which are similar to the benefits of FCLO in humans:

• Keeps the brain developing and functioning well; slows age-related cognitive decline
• Supports cardiovascular health; lowers blood pressure and triglycerides
• Improves the immune response and reduces inflammation
• Improves inflammatory conditions such as allergies, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease
• Aids in healthy weight maintenance
• Leaves skin and coat healthier
• Restores joint, bone, and muscle health
• Strengthens the immune system and supports pets with cancer, kidney disease, or heart disease
• Enhances vision
• Reduces itching
• Improves energy
• Supports overall health, growth, and development

Dosage

To avoid vitamin A toxicity, Dr. Billinghurst recommends giving a quantity of cod liver oil containing 20-40IU of vitamin A per pound of pet weight a day. Smaller pets may require weekly dosing. One teaspoon of Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil contains about 10,000IU of vitamin A. So a small cat could get about 1ml a week, while a large dog can safely take about 1/2tsp per day.

Approximate Dose Formula:

Your pet’s weight in pounds x 0.019 = ___ ml per day

If the result is too small to measure, multiply by 7 for weekly dosage. Five milliliters equals about one teaspoon.

This is just a guideline, and it is generally recommended to start small and increase the dose as necessary. Although it is unlikely that your pet will experience any negative effects, you can also decrease the dosage if needed to avoid any unwanted side effects. Many pets will happily take their FCLO right from the spoon, but you can also mix it into their food. Make sure to choose the unflavored variety, as some of the natural oils used in the flavored options are not safe for pets.

Green Pasture Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil 

Green Pasture Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil is one of the highest quality cod liver oil supplements available. The fermentation process preserves nutrients and since no heat is used, the micronutrients and enzymes are retained as well. No chemical solvents or fillers are used. Every lot of Green Pasture’s FCLO is tested for metals, PCBs, and pathogens, ensuring a pure, non-toxic product.