Olive Oil

I found out the some dog owners give their dogs olive oil?? As part of the raw diet they add it to the chicken wings as they believe their is enough meat for one meal for a cocker spaniel . Have you ever tried giving it??

Not something I have ever done. I do give Fish Body Oils tho

Mum wa told by a friend with labradors she gives them sardines and tomatoes and this stops the urine patches on grass.

There is no point in giving dogs olive oil as it is a very poor source (practically non existent) of Omega 3 which, like Omega 6, is an essential fatty acid.

It does contain Omega 9 though.

Dogs (and human) diets are generally over populated with Omega 6 but low in Omega 3.

Dogs do not really metabolise plant oils very well as the ALA has to be converted to EPA and then DHA so it is better to provide these EFAs via animal sources ie Fish Body Oils (not Cod Liver Oil) rather than say flaxseed oil.

This can be done by giving supplements and/or oily fish, either raw or tinned.

If you give FBO supplements you must also add Vitamin E as the former depletes the body of the latter.

I do not understand the comment about enough meat for a cocker spaniel?

It is tomatoes that are thought to minimise urine patches on grass.

I had heard that olive oil helped to activate the omega 3's. When I went on the raw feeding course it was suggested as something that was okay to feed, in small amounts, as long as it is pure.

That is interesting I have never heard that Olive Oil can "activate" Omega 3s I wonder how that occurs.

Can you elaborate?

Nor do I would be interested to hear more

The only oils I've heard of is fish oils but I know some people put Apple Cider Vinegar in with their dogs food.. good for joints, eyes and pretty much everything - or so I've read..

Olive oil is a good mono-saturated fat that is not as inflammatory as the poly-unsaturated fats found in fish oils and veg.oils. It doesn't have the level of omega 3's required but it strengthens the anti-inflammatory effects of omega 3's in the diet.
It does need to be virgin olive oil and not the over-refined cheap stuff which is of no use to anybody.
Like anything else use in moderation.