Short answer: salmon oil, cod liver oil and flaxseed oil provide omega fatty acids that support the skin, coat and joints. Salmon is the all-round choice, cod liver has a higher concentration of EPA and DHA, and flaxseed oil is a plant-based alternative for pets that cannot tolerate fish. Choose one oil, introduce it gradually and discuss the supplement with your vet.
Why omega fatty acids
Dogs and cats cannot produce some essential fatty acids themselves, so they have to come from food. In fish oils the main omega-3 acids are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). In flaxseed oil, omega-3 comes in the plant form ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).
According to our product descriptions, the oils support healthy skin and a soft, glossy coat, joint mobility and the immune system, while DHA is important for brain and eye development in young animals. A supplement is nutritional support, not a medicine – it does not replace an examination when there is a diagnosis.
Which oil for what
| Oil | Source and omega profile | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Bugalugs Scottish Salmon Oil | Scottish salmon; omega-3, 6 and 9, including EPA and DHA | all-round support for skin, coat and joints; makes food tastier for fussy eaters |
| Bugalugs Premium Arctic Cod Liver Oil | Arctic cod liver; 22.5% omega-3, of which EPA 11% and DHA 6.1% | when you want a more concentrated source of EPA and DHA – for example in older pets with stiff joints |
| Bugalugs Flaxseed Oil | cold-pressed flaxseed; ALA 55%, omega-6 16%, omega-9 18% | for fish allergy or intolerance; a plant-based (vegan) alternative |
| Bugalugs Organic Hemp Oil | cold-pressed hemp seed; more than half omega-6, plus omega-3 and omega-9 | skin, coat and joints, plus support during stress |
Salmon or cod liver?
Both are fish oils with EPA and DHA. According to the description, cod liver oil contains significantly higher levels of these acids, so it is preferred when the main goal is joint support. Salmon oil is a gentler, all-round choice and often helps fussy pets accept their food.
What about flaxseed oil?
Flaxseed oil suits dogs and cats that cannot tolerate fish, or owners who prefer a plant-based product. The description also mentions support for digestion and easier bowel movements. It has a light nutty aroma that fussy eaters often like.
How to dose
All three oils come with a pump – one press is about 1 ml – added directly to the main meal. For the first 7 days, give half the recommended dose, and the full dose from day 8. This helps avoid an upset stomach. Always provide fresh water.
Daily doses according to the product descriptions (number of pumps):
| Weight | Salmon | Cod liver | Flaxseed oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| dog 1–10 kg | 1–2 | 1 | 1–2 |
| dog 11–25 kg | 3–5 | 2 | 3–4 |
| dog 26–45 kg | 6–8 | 3 | 5–6 |
| dog over 45 kg | 7–10 | 4 | 7–8 |
| cat | 1 (small), 2 (medium and large) | 1 (small), 2 (medium and large) | 1 |
The oils are suitable for puppies from 10 weeks and kittens from 8 weeks. If the label on your bottle gives a different dose, follow the label. During pregnancy, with a chronic condition or if your pet is on medication, discuss the supplement with your vet before you start.
Can I combine them?
Do not give cod liver oil and salmon oil on the same day – both are rich in fat and omega-3, and together they can lead to overdosing, a loose stomach and extra calories. The description allows alternating them on different days. If you already give another fatty-acid supplement, choose just one product.
Oils and supplements for calm
Hemp oil is extracted from hemp seeds and contains no THC, so it does not alter your pet's state of mind. Besides skin and joints, the description presents it as natural support during stress – travel, thunderstorms or changes at home. Hemp oil is given with a pipette rather than a pump – one full pipette is 1 ml. The daily dose on the label is:
| Pet | Full pipettes per day |
|---|---|
| dog 1–10 kg | 1 |
| dog 11–25 kg | 2 |
| dog 26 kg and over | 3 |
| small cat | 1 |
| medium and large cat | 2 |
It can be dropped under the tongue or mixed into food. Give a lower dose for the first 3–4 days, and before an expected stressful event start at least a week ahead.
Bugalugs Calming Powder Supplement is a calming powder for dogs with ashwagandha, L-tryptophan, magnesium, lemon balm and chamomile. According to the description, it reduces anxiety without making the dog drowsy. One measuring spoon is about 2 g; the dose is 1 spoon up to 10 kg, 2 for 11–25 kg, 3 for 26–45 kg and 4 over 45 kg, once a day in food. It is suitable for puppies from 12 weeks. Before an event such as a trip, start 3–5 days ahead.
Supplements work best alongside behaviour work – a calm, safe place at home, gradual getting used to things and, if needed, help from a trainer. If the anxiety is sudden or severe, talk to your vet first.
Probiotics for digestion
The oils support the skin and coat; for the gut Bugalugs offers two supplements. Pre & Probiotic Digestive Paste is for dogs and cats: it contains Enterococcus faecium, oligofructose and kaolin, is given by mouth with the marked syringe and is handy for sudden loose stools, stress, a change of diet or after antibiotics. Probiotic Pellets for dogs contain Bacillus subtilis and fibre from psyllium, alfalfa and sugar beet, and are added to food once a day by weight – from half a scoop for dogs under 5 kg to three scoops for dogs over 35 kg. With severe, bloody or lasting diarrhoea, don’t rely on a supplement – see your vet.
Storage
The oils are sensitive to heat, light and air. Keep the bottle tightly closed somewhere cool and dark, and in summer, if your home is above 25 °C, store it in the fridge. The flaxseed oil description recommends using it within 9 months of opening.
When a supplement is not enough
- severe or sudden itching, sores, bald patches
- limping, pain or difficulty getting up
- diarrhoea or vomiting after introducing the oil – stop it and seek advice
- a sudden change in behaviour or severe anxiety
In these cases your pet needs an examination. We cover the causes of itching in the article why your dog is scratching.
Suitable products
The salmon, cod liver and flaxseed oils are in the Supplements collection, and the hemp oil and calming powder in Pharmacy. If you are not sure where to start, salmon oil is the most versatile choice for skin and coat.
Read more: Bugalugs: which range for what and how to reduce shedding.
Frequently asked questions
Are the oils suitable for cats?
Yes. Salmon oil, cod liver oil and flaxseed oil have cat doses – 1 or 2 pumps depending on size for the fish oils and 1 pump for flaxseed. Kittens can have them from 8 weeks of age. Hemp oil is also for cats over 8 weeks: 1 pipette a day for a small cat and 2 for a medium or large one.
How soon will I see results?
For hemp oil, the description gives 3–4 weeks of daily use for skin and coat. With the other oils, too, expect weeks of regular use rather than days. The coat renews itself gradually.
Can I give oil to a puppy?
Salmon, cod liver, flaxseed and hemp oils are suitable for puppies over 10 weeks, and the calming powder over 12 weeks. Introduce them gradually, at half the dose during the first week.
Does hemp oil change my dog's behaviour?
It is extracted from hemp seeds and contains no THC, and its description states that the calming effect comes from supporting the nervous system with fatty acids. If you notice unusual lethargy, stop the supplement and contact your vet.
