Salmon oil dosage for dogs by weight: 250, 500 or 1000 ml?

The right salmon oil dosage for dogs depends on their weight: up to 5 ml a day for dogs of 2–10 kg, up to 10 ml for 10–20 kg and up to 15 ml from 20 kg. With that figure in hand, choosing between the 250, 500 and 1000 ml bottles takes thirty seconds. Here is how long each one lasts.

Buying the wrong size is not a serious mistake, but it is an expensive one: either you pay more for a 1000 ml bottle that will last over six months for a small dog, or you buy a 250 ml bottle every two and a half weeks for a large one.

How much salmon oil should I give my dog by weight?

The Maikai salmon oil label gives a daily guideline per weight range, the same for all three sizes, designed to cover omega-3 and omega-6 needs without overdoing it:

• Dogs from 2 to 10 kg: up to 5 ml a day.
• Dogs from 10 to 20 kg: up to 10 ml a day.
• Dogs from 20 kg: up to 15 ml a day.
• Cats (all sizes): up to 2.5 ml a day.

The bottle includes a hygienic pump that dispenses 1.5 ml per press. The oil is added to food every day and the dose is counted in presses, not guessed with a spoon, which makes it much easier to keep the exact amount day after day.

How long does each bottle last for your dog's weight?

With the daily dose per weight range, working out how long each bottle lasts is simple: divide the total volume by the daily amount.

Small dog, 2 to 10 kg (5 ml a day)

• 250 ml bottle: about 50 days.
• 500 ml bottle: about 100 days.
• 1000 ml bottle: about 200 days, almost seven months.

Medium dog, 10 to 20 kg (10 ml a day)

• 250 ml bottle: about 25 days.
• 500 ml bottle: about 50 days.
• 1000 ml bottle: about 100 days, just over three months.

Large dog, from 20 kg (15 ml a day)

• 250 ml bottle: about 16 or 17 days.
• 500 ml bottle: about 33 days.
• 1000 ml bottle: about 66 or 67 days, just over two months.

One detail changes the recommendation in homes with more than one dog: with two medium dogs, combined daily use rises to 20 ml, and the 1000 ml bottle goes from lasting a hundred days to just fifty. If more than one dog shares the same bottle, always calculate on the household's total use, not on a single dog.

Which salmon oil size should you buy?

• 250 ml salmon oil (13.99 euros): makes sense for trying the product for the first time, or for a small dog that only has it occasionally, not daily.
• 500 ml (16.99 euros): the middle option we recommend for most medium dogs with regular daily use.
• 1000 ml (19.99 euros): the best value per millilitre and the logical choice for large dogs or homes with more than one pet using the same oil.

Comparing price per millilitre, the large bottle costs almost 65% less per ml than the small one. If your dog will take it daily for months, the saving on the 1000 ml bottle makes up for the higher upfront cost.

What are EPA and DHA? Explained without jargon

These two abbreviations appear on almost every fish oil label, and it helps to know what they mean before comparing products:

• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) contributes most to the body's response to inflammation, which is relevant in dogs with joint discomfort.
• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is more linked to the development and maintenance of the nervous system and vision, so it matters especially for growing puppies and senior dogs.

A quality oil declares both percentages separately on the label, not just a generic omega-3 figure, and that is exactly what separates a transparent label from a generic one.

Where does the oil come from, and why does it matter?

Maikai Pets salmon oil is Norwegian salmon oil, with declared traceability and quality controls throughout the process, produced in facilities certified to GMP+ and MarinTrust standards. Its omega-3 content is 13–16%, with more than 2.5% EPA and more than 3.5% DHA, and its omega-6 content is 14–17%. It is cold-pressed, with no preservatives or additives: a single ingredient on the label.

How do you introduce it without digestive upset?

The product sheet recommends shaking it well before each use and, during the first days, introducing it gradually rather than starting straight away with the full dose: too much oil at once can cause loose stools in dogs that are not used to added fat. Once opened, the bottle keeps well for up to three months, stored somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight.

If your dog is under veterinary treatment or on a therapeutic diet, check with your vet first, as the manufacturer itself advises, because the extra fat can interfere with some specific treatments.

What are the long-term benefits of omega-3?

Beyond a shiny coat, the most visible benefit and the first one owners notice, omega-3 contributes to joint care in active or older dogs, supports brain and visual development in puppies thanks to DHA, and helps maintain a balanced immune response. If your main interest is dosage or joint mobility, you can read more in omega-3 for dogs: benefits and recommended dosage, and for an overview of how to use it day to day, see salmon oil for dogs: what it's for and how to give it.

What signs suggest your dog could benefit from extra omega-3?

Not every dog needs the same level of supplementation, but some signs often point to a lack of fatty acids:

• A dull or brittle coat.
• Dry skin with visible dandruff.
• Itching with no identified parasitic cause.
• Stiffness when getting up in older dogs.

None of these signs alone confirms a deficiency, but if several appear together, checking with your vet before adding the oil to the diet is the most responsible option, especially if your dog already takes other medication.

Liquid salmon oil, capsules or enriched kibble: which is better?

Some premium kibbles already include added omega-3, but in amounts designed for general maintenance, not to cover a specific shortfall. Liquid oil lets you set the exact dose according to your dog's real weight and any specific goal (skin, joints or coat), which enriched kibble does not allow. Compared with capsules, the liquid format with a pump is more practical for dogs that refuse to swallow a whole capsule, since it mixes straight into the food without the dog noticing.

How can you tell if the oil has gone off?

Fish oil oxidises more easily than other oils, and oxidised oil not only loses effectiveness, it can also be unpleasant for your dog. Signs to watch for:

• A much stronger, rancid smell than usual.
• A change of colour towards a darker or cloudy tone.
• Your dog, who used to take it without problems, starts refusing food with oil added.

If you notice any of these signs before the three months after opening, throw the bottle away rather than keep using it.

Salmon oil dosage: frequently asked questions

Can I give the same salmon oil to a cat?

Yes. The dose for cats of any size is up to 2.5 ml a day, much less than for a dog, so a single bottle lasts far longer in a home with a cat than in one with a large dog. Find out more in our guide to salmon oil for cats and dogs.

Is there a noticeable difference in quality between salmon oil brands?

Yes, above all in the real percentage of EPA and DHA, the active fatty acids, and in whether the oil contains additives to mask the smell. Checking the label and looking for a single declared ingredient is the quickest way to compare quality between products.

How long does it take to see a difference in the coat?

Most owners start to notice a softer, shinier coat after four to six weeks of continuous daily use, as the coat's renewal cycle needs that long to reflect the nutritional change. The effect on joint mobility usually takes a little longer, between six and eight weeks, as it is a slower process.

Choose the size that matches your dog's weight in our salmon oil for dogs collection, where all three sizes are available: 250, 500 and 1000 ml.