Omega-3 Dosage for Dogs: How Much Salmon, Algae or Green Lipped Mussel to Give

This is a question I get all the time. The answer? It depends.

👉 Why are you giving it? Is it for everyday support? Or more like a treatment for itchy skin or stiff joints?

👉 What are you feeding already? If your dog’s diet is high in oily fish, they’ll need less. If it’s heavy on omega-6 (like kibble or chicken-based diets), they’ll need more to balance things out.

So, sorry — it’s not as simple as “every dog needs exactly X.”

But the biggest question I get is still:

👉 “Okay Vicky, but how much should I actually give?”

Fair point. Too little and you won’t see any benefits. Too much and you might end up with loose poos or a very fishy-smelling dog.

Most people aren’t calculating their dog’s diet in macronutrients — and honestly, you don’t need to. Every meal is a bit different anyway, so we work on averages.

If you want the full science behind omega-3 and why it matters, check out my Omega-3 Guide for Dogs. For now, let’s keep it nice and simple.

Why Dosage Matters

Omega-3s (EPA and DHA) are powerful anti-inflammatories (Hall et al., 2006). But they only work best in the right range for your dog’s body weight.

• Everyday health / skin support: ~100 mg per kg

• Joint support / therapeutic use: ~150 mg per kg

  
  

Don’t worry, you don’t need to calculate milligrams yourself — I’ve done the maths and converted it into real-world amounts using AniForte oils and supplements (the ones I stock and recommend). Different brands may vary, so always check the label.

Everyday Health / Skin Support

For fit, healthy dogs that just need a boost of omega-3. If you’re already feeding oily fish a few times a week, you can reduce these amounts or only give them on “non-fish” days.

Dog’s Weight	Salmon Oil (ml)	Algae Oil (drops)	GLM Capsules
5 kg	2.5 ml	1 drop	½ capsule
10 kg	5 ml	2 drops	1 capsule
15 kg	7.5 ml	3 drops	1½ capsules
20 kg	10 ml	4 drops	2 capsules
30 kg	15 ml	6 drops	3 capsules
40 kg	20 ml	8 drops	4 capsules
50 kg	25 ml	10 drops	5 capsules

Joint Support / Therapeutic

For dogs with arthritis, stiffness, skin flare-ups, or other inflammatory issues. This is where omega-3 really shines — it actively reduces inflammation and makes them more comfortable (Roush et al., 2010).

Most dogs today have omega-6 to omega-3 ratios as high as 30:1, when the ideal is closer to 5:1 (Bauer, 2011). So don’t panic too much about “overdoing it” — it’s actually quite hard.

Dog’s Weight	Salmon Oil (ml)	Algae Oil (drops)	GLM Capsules
5 kg	3.5–4 ml	1–2 drops	1 capsule
10 kg	7.5 ml	3 drops	1½ capsules
15 kg	11 ml	4–5 drops	2 capsules
20 kg	15 ml	6 drops	3 capsules
30 kg	22 ml	9 drops	4½ capsules
40 kg	30 ml	12 drops	6 capsules
50 kg	37 ml	15 drops	7½ capsules

A Few Tips From Me

• Always start at the lower end of the range and see how your dog does.

• If you get loose stools, split the dose across meals.

• Algae oil is super concentrated — don’t measure it in ml, always drops.

• GLM capsules can be opened and sprinkled if your dog is fussy.

• Every dog is different. Some need that little bit extra for real results.

FAQ: Fish Oil & Omega-3 Dosage for Dogs

Is 1000 mg of fish oil too much for a dog?

It depends on your dog’s size. For a big dog (20kg+), 1000mg is nowhere near too much. For a tiny dog (under 5kg), 1000mg in one go could be too heavy and may cause loose stools. Always dose by weight (Lenox & Bauer, 2013).

Can I give my dog human fish oil capsules?

Yes — as long as they don’t contain flavourings, sweeteners, or added vitamin D (which can be toxic in high amounts). Most human capsules are 1000mg, which might suit a Labrador but be too much for a Chihuahua. Always adjust by weight.

How do I calculate fish oil dosage for dogs by weight?

Dogs need roughly 100mg of EPA + DHA per kg for health, or 150mg/kg for joint/skin support. The tables above convert that into real-life amounts using AniForte salmon oil, algae oil and green lipped mussel (Wander et al., 1997).

What’s better — salmon oil, algae oil or green lipped mussel?

It depends on your dog’s needs: salmon oil is a great all-rounder, algae oil is perfect for sensitive or allergy-prone dogs, and green lipped mussel shines for joint support (Bauer, 2011). For the details, see my blogs on Salmon Oil, Algae Oil and Green Lipped Mussel.

Final Thoughts

Getting the dose right is what makes the difference between “nice idea” and real results — softer skin, shinier coat, calmer itching, smoother movement.

If you’re still unsure which omega-3 to choose, have a read through my blogs on Salmon Oil, Algae Oil and Green Lipped Mussel. Or, if you’d prefer one-to-one advice, you can always book a Nutrition Consultation and I’ll guide you.

Because the right supplement, at the right amount, can genuinely change your dog’s comfort and quality of life.

References

• Hall JA, Picton RA, Skinner MM, Jewell DE, Wander RC. (2006). The impact of dietary fish oil supplementation on the n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratio and skin inflammation in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 20(3): 687–696. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16566230/

• Wander RC, Hall JA, Gradin JL, Du SH, Jewell DE. (1997). The effects of fish oil supplementation on neutrophil lipid composition and immune function in dogs. The Journal of Nutrition, 127(6): 1198–1207. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9098470/

• Lenox CE, Bauer JE. (2013). Potential adverse effects of omega-3 fatty acids in dogs and cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 27(2): 217–226. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23588221/

• Roush JK, Cross AR, Renberg WC, et al. (2010). Evaluation of the effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in dogs with osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 236(1): 59–66. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20350926/

• Bauer JE. (2011). Therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 239(11): 1441–1451. https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/10.2460/javma.239.11.1441