How Much Fish Oil for Dogs? Dosage Chart by Weight

25 September 2026

Educational only; not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a medical condition, takes medication or is due for surgery, speak to your vet before starting fish oil.

The right amount of fish oil for a dog depends on one number: milligrams of EPA + DHA, the two omega-3s that do the work. It does not depend on "mg of fish oil" or "total omega-3". Most dosing mistakes come from mixing these up. Below is a chart by weight, how to read a label, and how to stay under the safe upper limit.

Quick answer: a commonly cited supplemental dose for dogs is 50–75 mg of combined EPA + DHA per kg of body weight per day (Today's Veterinary Practice). For a 20 kg dog, that is 1,000–1,500 mg of EPA + DHA a day.

Fish oil for dogs dosage chart by weight

*Assumes a typical 1,000 mg fish oil capsule containing about 300 mg of EPA + DHA (30%). The safe upper limit is the US National Research Council figure of 370 mg × body weight (kg)^0.75 (dvm360 summary of Lenox & Bauer 2013).

Your vet may recommend a higher, therapeutic dose for a specific condition. That is a clinical decision, and the upper limit becomes more important.

How to calculate your dog's fish oil dose

1. Find EPA + DHA per serving on the label. Add the two numbers. Ignore "fish oil 1,000 mg"; it is the total oil, not the active omega-3s.
2. Multiply your dog's weight in kg by 50–75. That is the daily EPA + DHA target in mg.
3. Divide the target by the EPA + DHA per serving. That is how many servings a day.
4. Check the food. Some dog foods, especially joint or skin diets, already contain meaningful EPA + DHA. Subtract it, or you may exceed the upper limit.

Worked example: a 25 kg Labrador needs 1,250–1,875 mg of EPA + DHA a day. From a capsule with 300 mg per capsule, that is 4–6 capsules daily, every day.

Why capsules make dosing hard

The capsule column in the chart shows the problem. A medium or large dog needs three to ten standard capsules a day to reach a research-backed dose. Most owners give one or two and under-dose without realising it.

A liquid with a measured pump solves this: the dose scales with the number of pumps, it goes straight onto food, and there is no pilling.

Can I give my dog human fish oil?

Yes, many vets are comfortable with plain human fish oil for dogs, as long as you:

• dose by EPA + DHA using the chart above, not by capsule count
• avoid products with xylitol, flavourings or added ingredients such as vitamin D, garlic or herbs
• check it contains vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) to protect the oil from oxidation

The practical downside is volume. Large dogs need a handful of capsules a day.

Salmon oil vs fish oil for dogs

"Salmon oil" is one type of fish oil, and it is the most searched in the UK. The fish matters less than three measurable things:

More on this in salmon oil vs small-fish oil.

Fish oil side effects in dogs

Fish oil is well tolerated at the doses above. Reported effects, mostly at higher intakes, include (Today's Veterinary Practice):

• vomiting or diarrhoea, usually from starting at the full dose
• fishy breath
• reduced platelet function and slower wound healing
• interactions with drugs that affect clotting, such as aspirin

Introduce fish oil over a week. Tell your vet before surgery. Ask first if your dog has a history of pancreatitis, a bleeding disorder or gut disease, or takes medication. Research in dogs shows higher EPA + DHA intakes lower vitamin E levels in the blood (Siberian Husky study, 2026), another reason to choose an oil with added vitamin E.

How long does fish oil take to work in dogs?

Omega-3s build up in cell membranes gradually. Owners commonly notice coat and skin changes after 3–4 weeks. Mobility-related changes, if any, typically take 4–8 weeks of consistent daily use. For joint-specific options, see our guide to fish oil and dog joint supplements and green lipped mussel for dogs.

Pawever Omega Oil dosing

Pawever Omega Oil is wild-caught anchovy oil with mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) and astaxanthin, in a measured pump bottle. A single pump of our Omega Oil provides at least 460 mg EPA+DHA per 2.5 mL pump, with a TOTOX of 3.77 and a clean contaminant panel

It pairs with Pawever Plus for Dogs, our daily joint and healthy-ageing capsule. Read the Omega Oil introduction for more.

Shop Pawever Omega Oil → 60-day money-back guarantee.

FAQ

How much fish oil should I give my dog per day? Aim for 50–75 mg of combined EPA + DHA per kg of body weight daily, unless your vet recommends otherwise. Use the chart above for your dog's weight.

Can a dog have too much fish oil? Yes. The NRC safe upper limit is 370 mg of EPA + DHA × body weight (kg)^0.75, about 3,500 mg a day for a 20 kg dog. Count all sources, including food.

Is it better to give fish oil with food? Yes. Giving it with a meal improves tolerance and reduces the chance of an upset stomach.

Is 1,000 mg of fish oil too much for a dog? Usually not. A typical 1,000 mg capsule provides only about 300 mg of EPA + DHA, which is a low dose for most dogs over 5 kg.

Can I give fish oil to my cat as well? Cats are dosed differently. See our guide to fish oil for cats.

Sources

• Role of dietary fatty acids in dogs and cats — Today's Veterinary Practice
  
• Omega-3 fatty acids: how much is too much? (Lenox & Bauer 2013) — dvm360
  
• Revisiting EPA and DHA recommendations for healthy Siberian Huskies — PMC
  
• Fish oil supplements, oxidative status, and compliance behaviour — PMC
  

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.