Fish oil is one of the few supplements with genuine evidence behind it. Skin, coat, joints, heart, brain — omega-3 fatty acids do real work in a dog's body, and a small daily dose adds up over months.
But it isn't the only omega option, and not every dog should take fish oil. Here's what omega-3 actually is, how the two omega supplements we carry differ, and how to choose between them. (For the bigger picture on functional supplements generally, start with our small-dog supplement guide.)
Why omega-3 matters for small dogs
Two specific fatty acids do most of the work: EPA and DHA. Both are anti-inflammatory at a cellular level, support skin and coat condition from the inside out, contribute to joint comfort, and play a role in heart and brain function. Dogs can't make meaningful amounts of either on their own — they have to come from food.
Most commercial dog food contains some omega-3, but rarely at the levels worth talking about. For dogs with dry or itchy skin, dull coats, ageing joints, or any of the conditions where inflammation is part of the picture, a dedicated omega supplement is one of the more useful daily additions you can make.
Fish oil vs vegan omega: the real difference
The two main sources of EPA and DHA are fish (cold-water species like cod, saithe, sardines, anchovies) and microalgae — which is, in fact, where the fish get their omega-3 from in the first place. Algae sits at the bottom of the food chain; fish eat it and concentrate it.
Both work. The honest difference is the ratio. Fish oils typically deliver a meaningful dose of both EPA and DHA. Algae oils tend to be DHA-dominant, with much less EPA. That matters because EPA is the omega-3 most associated with anti-inflammatory benefit — joints, skin, allergies. If your dog tolerates fish, fish oil generally gives you more across the categories that matter.
If your dog doesn't tolerate fish — allergies, sensitive stomachs, or simply doesn't get on with the smell — algae oil is a real alternative. It isn't a one-for-one replacement on EPA, but it delivers the DHA half of the equation, supports skin and coat, and exists in the first place because fish-allergic dogs and ethically-minded owners needed an option.
Which omega is right for your dog
If you're already comparing the two, here's the shortcut.
Choose Vitbit Pure Arctic Fish Oil if your dog tolerates fish, you want the strongest EPA + DHA profile, and you're looking for the best everyday value.
Choose Jampy Smart Omega if your dog has a fish allergy or sensitive stomach, you prefer a fish-free formula, or the smell of fish oil is a dealbreaker.
| Vitbit Pure Arctic Fish Oil | Jampy Smart Omega | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Norwegian cod, saithe, haddock (MSC-certified) | Microalgae + blackcurrant + sunflower |
| EPA | 160 mg per 2.5 ml dose | Limited (algae oils are DHA-dominant) |
| DHA | 230 mg per 2.5 ml dose | 3.85% of total fat content |
| Format | Liquid, 300 ml | Liquid, 250 ml |
| Best for | Most dogs, daily preventative wellness | Fish allergies, sensitive stomachs, fish-free households |
| Price | €22.95 | €34.99 |
The detail on each one is below — and plenty of homes settle into one or the other and never look back.
Vitbit Pure Arctic Fish Oil — the everyday default
The Vitbit Pure Arctic Fish Oil is the omega supplement most small dogs will do well on. It's one of the simplest daily wellness habits you can build into your dog's routine — small dose, steady benefit, real evidence behind it.
It's made from Norwegian cod, saithe and haddock, caught by Norwegian vessels and produced in Norway. The fishery is MSC-certified, with full traceability to the boat, and the oil is made using fish trimmings and the smallest fish — a meaningfully more sustainable approach than oils made from larger, slower-growing species.
The omega-3 content per 2.5 ml dose is 552 mg total omega-3, of which EPA 160 mg, DHA 230 mg, DPA 20 mg. Dosing is by weight: 1.2 ml (¼ tsp) daily for dogs 0–5 kg, 2.5 ml (½ tsp) daily for 5–15 kg. A 300 ml bottle covers a small dog for many months.
What it supports: skin and coat condition, joints, cardiovascular and cognitive function, and the immune system. Best for: most healthy small dogs, dogs with dull or dry coats, older dogs with joint sensitivity, and as a preventative everyday addition.
Price: €22.95 for 300 ml.
Jampy Smart Omega — the vegan alternative
The Jampy Smart Omega Vegan Oil exists for a specific reader: a dog that can't have fish, or an owner who doesn't want fish in the bowl. It's a microalgae-based omega oil — the same source the fish themselves use — combined with blackcurrant and sunflower oils, with rosemary oil to soften the flavour.
The analytical profile is DHA-dominant: total omega-3 5.12% of the oil, of which DHA is 3.85%. There's less EPA than a fish oil delivers — that's the genuine trade-off of algae-based omega. It works hardest on the skin and coat side; the brand suggests visible changes over about six weeks of daily use.
Dosing is by weight and diet type. For a small dog (2–6 kg) on kibble, roughly a quarter to half a teaspoon per day; double that for raw or home-cooked diets. Use a measuring spoon, not a guess.
What it supports: skin and coat condition, omega support for dogs who can't or won't take fish. Best for: fish allergies, sensitive stomachs, vegan-minded households, and the genuine subset of dogs (and owners) who'd rather not have a fish oil in the kitchen.
Price: €34.99 for 250 ml. It's the more expensive option — algae oil is a more expensive raw material, and the formulation accounts for that.
A quick note on the Booster Fish Powder
If you've seen Bisou's Vitbit Booster Fish Powder and wondered whether it's a third omega option, it isn't — and we don't recommend reaching for it as one.
It's a meal topper. 100% dried Norwegian saithe in powder form, MSC-certified, sprinkled on food to make dinner more interesting. High in protein (76.5%), low in fat — and only 1.08% omega-3. A daily sprinkle adds flavour and a small protein bump, not a therapeutic omega dose. The right way to think about it is the way you'd think about parmesan on pasta: a finishing touch that makes the bowl get finished.
Reach for the Booster Powder if your small dog is a picky eater, recovering from illness, or losing interest in their food. For omega-3 support specifically, the oils above are the right tools.
Omega-3 for small dogs: your questions answered
How much fish oil should a small dog have per day?
For the Vitbit Pure Arctic Fish Oil: 1.2 ml (¼ teaspoon) a day for dogs 0–5 kg, 2.5 ml (½ teaspoon) a day for 5–15 kg. Always measure rather than eyeball — fish oil is concentrated, and more isn't better.
Is fish oil safe for small dogs?
Yes, at the right dose. The main risks are overdosing (loose stools, weight gain from the extra fat) and using a rancid product. A fresh, properly stored fish oil from a sustainable source is one of the most useful supplements available.
How do I store fish oil so it doesn't go off?
Fish oil oxidises in the bottle once opened — light, heat and air all degrade it. Follow the storage instructions on the label, keep it refrigerated after opening, and use within the brand's recommended window. Trust your nose too: if the oil develops an unusually sharp or sour smell, replace it. A rancid in-date oil is still rancid, and rancid fish oil is worse than no fish oil at all.
Can I give my dog human fish oil?
Generally yes, but doses and concentrations are formulated for human bodyweight, and many human fish oils include added flavourings or sweeteners that aren't appropriate for dogs. A fish oil formulated for dogs with the dose pitched to canine weight is the simpler, safer choice.
How long until I see a difference?
Skin and coat changes typically take six to eight weeks of daily use to become visible. Joint comfort changes — where they happen — often take longer. If nothing's changing after three months of consistent use at the right dose, that's worth a conversation with your vet.
Can my dog have both fish oil and a multivitamin?
Often, yes — they cover different things and don't usually overlap. But combinations of supplements deserve a quick check with your vet, particularly if your dog is on medication or already eats a fortified food.
My dog hates the smell of fish oil. What can I do?
Try mixing it into wet food rather than drizzling it on kibble. If it's still a no, the Jampy vegan omega is genuinely the answer — it exists because some dogs and some owners cannot do fish oil.
The bottom line
Omega-3 is one of the few daily supplements with a real evidence base behind it, and one of the simplest additions to a small dog's care. For most dogs, the Vitbit Pure Arctic Fish Oil is the right starting point. For the dogs and households that can't do fish, the Jampy Smart Omega is the genuine alternative — not a compromise, just a different fork in the same road.
And the Booster Fish Powder is a meal topper, not an omega supplement. Different job, different bowl moment.
Shop fish oil and omega supplements selected for small dogs.
