Chow Chow coat supplement after cod liver oil failed

Cod liver oil causing greasiness is a pretty common complaint — it delivers a heavy dose of fat-soluble vitamins alongside the omega-3s, and for some dogs, especially those with already-dense or oily coats like Chow Chows, it tips the sebum balance the wrong way. Before I point you toward something better, a couple of quick questions: how old is your Chow Chow, and what are you actually trying to fix — is the coat dull and dry underneath the grease, or is there itching and flaking too? And what are you currently feeding them day to day?

That's useful — Pro Plan Sensitive is a decent food and already has some omega support built in, which actually explains part of the problem. Adding cod liver oil on top of a kibble that's already supplemented can lead to an excess of omega-6 relative to omega-3, and in Chow Chows with their naturally thick double coat, that tends to show as that waxy, greasy texture rather than shine. At 9 she's also a senior dog, so her skin cell turnover has slowed — she needs a supplement that's more targeted than a generic fish oil. Can I ask: did you notice any improvement in the coat at all before the greasiness got obvious, or was it a negative effect from the start?

Good call stopping it — that early improvement followed by decline is a classic sign of the dose being too high or the oil profile being wrong for her. What she actually needs is a supplement that delivers EPA and DHA from a cleaner, more concentrated source, ideally with added biotin and zinc to support coat structure specifically, rather than a large volume of crude fish oil. My recommendation is YuMEGA Plus by Lintbells. It's a liquid you add to food — a small daily amount — and it uses a specific ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 designed for dogs with skin and coat issues, plus it includes biotin, vitamin E, and starflower oil. It's genuinely well-researched and widely used by UK vets. For a 9-year-old Chow Chow with a dull, rough coat, it's a much more appropriate fit than cod liver oil. You should start to see coat texture improving within four to six weeks of consistent use.

No — that's one of the reasons I'm suggesting it over another straight fish oil. The daily dose for a dog her size is around 4ml, which is a very modest volume, and the formula is designed to absorb well rather than sit on the coat. The starflower oil component is a source of GLA, which actually helps regulate sebum production rather than adding to it. Most owners who've had the greasy-coat problem with fish oils don't see it repeat with YuMEGA Plus. It's available on Amazon UK, and Lintbells also sell direct if you prefer.

You're welcome. Give it a full six weeks before judging — senior Chow coats can be slow to turn around, but if the root cause is dietary rather than a skin condition, YuMEGA Plus should get you there. If you don't see any change after six weeks on the correct dose, it's worth a vet visit to rule out thyroid issues, which are fairly common in older dogs and can cause the same dull-coat presentation.