How Much Fish Oil for Dogs? Dosage Chart by Weight, Plus the Best Pump Oils
27 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".
In this guide
- Fish oil for dogs dosage chart by weight
- How do I calculate my dog's fish oil dose?
- Why are capsules hard to dose for dogs?
- What is the best liquid fish oil for dogs with a pump?
- Pawever Omega Oil dosing for dogs
- What is the best fish oil for dogs in Australia?
- What is the best salmon oil for dogs in the UK?
- Can I give my dog human fish oil?
- Fish oil side effects in dogs
- Frequently asked questions
Fish oil for dogs dosage chart by weight
| Dog weight | Daily EPA + DHA (50 to 75 mg/kg) | NRC safe upper limit (EPA + DHA) | Standard 1,000 mg capsules needed* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg (11 lb) | 250 to 375 mg | 1,237 mg | 0.8 to 1.3 |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | 500 to 750 mg | 2,081 mg | 1.7 to 2.5 |
| 15 kg (33 lb) | 750 to 1,125 mg | 2,820 mg | 2.5 to 3.8 |
| 20 kg (44 lb) | 1,000 to 1,500 mg | 3,499 mg | 3.3 to 5 |
| 25 kg (55 lb) | 1,250 to 1,875 mg | 4,137 mg | 4.2 to 6.3 |
| 30 kg (66 lb) | 1,500 to 2,250 mg | 4,743 mg | 5 to 7.5 |
| 40 kg (88 lb) | 2,000 to 3,000 mg | 5,885 mg | 6.7 to 10 |
| 50 kg (110 lb) | 2,500 to 3,750 mg | 6,957 mg | 8.3 to 12.5 |
*Assumes a typical 1,000 mg fish oil capsule containing about 300 mg of EPA + DHA. The safe upper limit is the US National Research Council figure of 370 mg × body weight (kg)^0.75 (dvm360 summary of Lenox and Bauer, 2013).
Your vet may recommend a higher, therapeutic dose for a specific condition. That is a clinical decision, and the upper limit then matters more.
How do I calculate my dog's fish oil dose?
- Find EPA + DHA per serving on the label and add the two numbers. Ignore "fish oil 1,000 mg"; that's the total oil, not the active omega-3s.
- Multiply your dog's weight in kg by 50 to 75. That's the daily EPA + DHA target in mg.
- Divide the target by the EPA + DHA per serving. That's how many servings a day.
- Check the food. Some dog foods, especially joint or skin diets, already contain meaningful EPA + DHA. Subtract it so you don't exceed the upper limit.
Worked example: a 25 kg Labrador needs 1,250 to 1,875 mg of EPA + DHA a day. From capsules with 300 mg each, that's 4 to 6 capsules daily.
Why are capsules hard to dose for dogs?
The capsule column 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 scales the dose with the number of pumps and goes straight onto food.
What is the best liquid fish oil for dogs with a pump?
Look for five things:
- EPA + DHA per pump stated in mg. Without it you can't dose accurately.
- A known pump volume (for example 2.5 mL), so each pump delivers the same amount.
- Vitamin E added (mixed tocopherols). Higher omega-3 intakes lower vitamin E in dogs' blood (Siberian Husky study, 2026).
- An oxidation (TOTOX) result. The GOED benchmark is below 26 (PMC review).
- Independent contaminant testing, especially for heavy metals.
Pawever Omega Oil dosing for dogs
Pawever Omega Oil is wild-caught anchovy oil with mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) and astaxanthin. Each 2.5 mL pump provides at least 460 mg of EPA + DHA with a typical TOTOX of 3.77 and a clean contaminant panel.
| Dog size | Pumps per day | EPA + DHA per day |
|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 9 kg / 20 lb) | 1 | 460 mg |
| Medium (10 to 25 kg / 21 to 55 lb) | 2 | 920 mg |
| Large (25 to 35 kg / 56 to 77 lb) | 3 | 1,380 mg |
| Extra large (35 kg+ / 77 lb+) | 4 | 1,840 mg |
Pump it onto food once a day and build up over the first week. For giant breeds well above 35 kg, check the chart above and ask your vet whether a higher dose suits your dog.
60-day money-back guarantee.
What is the best fish oil for dogs in Australia?
The same checklist applies: EPA + DHA per serving in mg, added vitamin E, an oxidation result, and independent testing. Many fish oils sold in Australia list only "total fish oil" or "omega-3", which makes accurate dosing impossible. Pawever Omega Oil is from an Australian brand, ships from our Australian warehouse, and states EPA + DHA per pump.
What is the best salmon oil for dogs in the UK?
"Salmon oil" is the most searched type of fish oil in the UK. Salmon oil works, but check three things before you buy:
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| EPA + DHA in mg per serving | Salmon oil concentration varies widely, especially from farmed salmon |
| Oxidation (TOTOX) result | Rancid oil is less useful and less palatable; the GOED benchmark is below 26 |
| Contaminant testing | Larger fish such as salmon can accumulate more contaminants than small fish such as anchovies |
If a UK salmon oil doesn't publish these, consider a small-fish oil that does. Pawever Omega Oil ships to the UK. More detail: salmon oil vs small-fish oil.
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 or garlic
- check it contains vitamin E
The downside is volume: large dogs need a handful of capsules a day.
Fish oil side effects in dogs
Fish oil is well tolerated at the doses above. Reported effects, mostly at higher intakes, include vomiting or diarrhoea (usually from starting at the full dose), fishy breath, reduced platelet function and slower wound healing, and interactions with drugs that affect clotting such as aspirin (Today's Veterinary Practice). Tell your vet before surgery, and ask first if your dog has a history of pancreatitis, a bleeding disorder or gut disease.
Frequently asked questions
How much fish oil should I give my dog per day?
Aim for 50 to 75 mg of combined EPA + DHA per kg of body weight daily unless your vet advises 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, a low dose for most dogs over 5 kg.
How long does fish oil take to work in dogs?
Owners commonly notice coat and skin changes after 3 to 4 weeks. Mobility-related changes, if any, typically take 4 to 8 weeks of daily use.
Can I give fish oil to my cat too?
Cats are dosed differently. See our guide to fish oil for cats.
Sources
- Today's Veterinary Practice: role of dietary fatty acids in dogs and cats
- dvm360: omega-3 fatty acids, how much is too much? (Lenox and Bauer, 2013)
- Revisiting EPA and DHA recommendations for healthy Siberian Huskies (PMC, 2026)
- Fish oil supplements, oxidative status, and compliance behaviour (PMC)
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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