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Nordic Naturals · Wild Arctic Skrei Cod · Made in Norway
Natural triglyceride-form cod liver oil from 100% wild Arctic Skrei cod harvested from the Norwegian Sea, with naturally occurring vitamins A and D in their biological matrix. 345 mg EPA and 460 mg DHA per teaspoon. No rosemary oil. No synthetic vitamin addition. Third-party tested.
The Slow Drift You Have Been Watching
It is the slow drift downward, the kind you see across so many of the dogs that arrive at our door. The 11-year-old retriever whose coat has gone from glossy to dry over the last two seasons. The senior whose recurring eye discharge has been treated with three rounds of drops without anyone identifying the cause. The dog who hesitates a beat longer before climbing stairs. The cumulative drift that no single vet visit has been able to explain. You watch them and know something is incrementally off, but nobody has flagged anything as a problem. The dog is technically "fine" and yet not really right.
Fish oil and cod liver oil are not the same supplement, even though most pet parents use the terms interchangeably. Fish oil comes from the body of fish and delivers EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids that do the active anti-inflammatory work. Cod liver oil comes from the liver specifically, the organ where the fish concentrates fat-soluble vitamins A and D (the vitamins absorbed and stored in body fat rather than dissolved in water) alongside its omega-3 stores. For dogs whose primary concern is skin inflammation or joint stiffness, the EPA-rich body fish oil is the right choice. For dogs who need broader foundational support, including immune function, brain and eye development, and the natural vitamins commercial kibble strips out, cod liver oil delivers a more complete package.
The reason is the liver itself. Cold-water fish accumulate vitamin A and vitamin D in their liver tissue because these fat-soluble vitamins are critical for survival in low-light, low-nutrient Arctic waters. Most modern fish oil supplements strip these vitamins out during processing and either omit them entirely or add them back in synthetic form, which the body absorbs differently than the natural matrix. Cod liver oil preserves the vitamins where the fish naturally concentrated them, alongside the omega-3 fatty acids and trace cofactors that support their use. For senior dogs, puppies in the developmental window, raw feeders building a whole-food diet, and label-reading households who have been on regular fish oil without the broader results they were hoping for, this is the supplement that closes the gap.
Nordic Naturals Pet Cod Liver Oil is made from 100% wild Arctic cod, the Skrei variety (a specific stock of Gadus morhua that migrates annually from the Barents Sea to spawn off Norway's Lofoten Islands) with the highest natural concentrations of DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D of any cod species. The oil is processed in a nitrogen-protected environment within hours of catch to preserve freshness, bottled in triglyceride form for superior absorption, deliberately built without rosemary oil or artificial flavors, and third-party tested with publicly available Certificates of Analysis. The fishery has been certified by Friend of the Sea since well before sustainable sourcing became a marketing category. The vitamins in this bottle are not added in synthetic form. They are the same vitamins the cod accumulated in its liver during its lifetime in the cold Arctic waters where Northern European populations have relied on this oil through long dark winters for centuries.
Three Things Set Cod Liver Oil Apart From Body Fish Oil
Whole-Food Matrix
Vitamins A and D in their natural biological proportions, alongside the omega-3 fatty acids and trace cofactors the cod's body uses to absorb and store them. Not synthetic. Not added back. The same complete nutritional package the cod accumulated in its liver over its lifetime in the Arctic.
DHA-Leaning Profile
More DHA than EPA per teaspoon, the opposite of body fish oil. The structural omega-3 that builds and maintains brain, retinal, and neural tissue, which makes this the natural choice for puppies in development and senior dogs facing cognitive decline.
Wild Arctic Source
Skrei cod from the Norwegian Sea carries the highest natural concentrations of DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D of any cod variety. The fish themselves are short-lived, sustainably managed, and Friend of the Sea certified for harvesting practices that have been verified independently.
What Pet Cod Liver Oil Helps With
Senior Cognitive Decline
Confusion, reduced engagement, and the slow dulling of attention that comes with the aging brain
Dry Skin & Winter Flaking
Recurring dandruff, dull coat, and the seasonal flaking the vet has been calling winter dryness for years
Eye Discharge & Vision Changes
Chronic eye discharge and the vision changes vitamin A and DHA support at the retinal level
Puppy Brain & Eye Development
DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D during the critical structural development window of the young dog
Immune Regulation
Recurring infections, seasonal allergies, and the immune system underneath that needs foundational support
Raw Diet Vitamin Gaps
The whole-food source of vitamins A and D that raw and homemade diets need to be nutritionally complete
Bone & Joint Support
Vitamin D supports calcium absorption, while DHA and EPA reduce the inflammation that drives joint pain
Recurring Skin Infections
Hot spots and infections that need vitamin A's support for skin cell regeneration from the inside
The Full Formula
The complete ingredient list is wild Arctic cod liver oil plus mixed tocopherols (the natural form of vitamin E) as a preservative. The vitamins A and D listed on the supplement facts panel are not separate ingredients added in. They are the same vitamins the cod accumulated in its own liver during its lifetime in the cold Arctic Ocean, naturally proportioned alongside the omega-3 fatty acids and trace cofactors the body uses to absorb and use them.
Featured Ingredient
Arctic cod is the species of cod that lives in the cold, nutrient-rich waters above the Arctic Circle. The Skrei variety, the specific stock Nordic Naturals uses, migrates annually from the Barents Sea to the Lofoten Islands off Norway's northern coast to spawn. This particular stock has been documented since Viking times and remains one of the most heavily managed and sustainable cod fisheries in the world, with Friend of the Sea certification verifying the harvesting practices independently rather than letting the brand declare its own sustainability on the bottle.
The Arctic cod liver, the organ from which this oil is derived, naturally concentrates fat-soluble vitamins A and D at levels higher than any other cod species. The cod accumulates these vitamins from its diet of small fish and crustaceans in the dark Arctic waters where dietary vitamin D from sunlight is unavailable. The biological function of the liver in these fish is to store concentrated fats, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids for use during long winter months. The same natural biological storage system that allowed Norwegian fishermen and their families to survive long Arctic winters on cod liver oil now delivers the same complete natural nutritional package to dogs.
Think of the cod's liver as a natural whole-food multivitamin built by the fish itself over its lifetime in the wild. Nothing was added. Nothing was reconstructed. The vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and trace nutrients are present in the same biological proportions the cod's body created them.
Nitrogen-protected processing within hours of catch. Most pet cod liver oil oxidizes during processing, losing potency before it ever reaches the bottle. Nordic extracts and bottles this oil in a nitrogen-protected environment within hours of the catch to prevent that oxidation. The freshness preserved at the source is what allows the natural vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids to arrive intact at your dog's bowl.
Featured Differentiator
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin the body uses for vision, immune function, skin and coat integrity, fetal development, and the maintenance of the cells lining the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts. Dogs require vitamin A in their diets because they cannot synthesize it from beta-carotene (the orange pigment in carrots and sweet potatoes that the body has to convert) as efficiently as some other species can. The vitamin A in this bottle is not added in synthetic form. It is the same vitamin A the wild cod accumulated in its liver from its diet of small fish over its lifetime in the Arctic Ocean.
The level varies by batch (typically 550 to 700 IU per teaspoon) because the wild cod's diet varies seasonally and the natural concentration in the liver fluctuates accordingly. Nordic discloses this variation directly on the label rather than standardizing the dose with synthetic vitamin A addition. The natural variation is a feature rather than a flaw for holistic pet parents who prefer whole-food nutrition with biological variability over standardized synthetic supplementation.
Vitamin D in cod liver oil is present at lower but still meaningful levels alongside vitamin A. Vitamin D supports calcium absorption, bone health, immune regulation, and a wide range of cellular signaling functions. Dogs synthesize some vitamin D from sunlight, but the conversion is less efficient than in humans, and dogs in regions with limited sun exposure or dogs that spend most of their time indoors benefit from dietary supplementation.
Think of natural vitamin A as the form the body evolved to recognize. The cod liver matrix provides vitamin A alongside the cofactors and fatty acids that support its absorption and use. Synthetic vitamin A added back into stripped fish oil arrives without that context, and the body uses it less efficiently. And think of the vitamin D as the sunlight the cod could not get in the dark Arctic Ocean, captured in its liver from its diet so the body could use it through the long winter. Your dog receives the same captured nutrient package.
One important safety note on vitamin A. Vitamin A is fat-soluble, which means it accumulates in the liver of dogs over time, just as it accumulated in the liver of the cod. The dosing on this product is calibrated to deliver vitamin A within safe ranges for the dog's body weight, and the natural form is far less likely to cause toxicity than synthetic vitamin A at equivalent doses. Pet parents should not stack cod liver oil with another vitamin A supplement, and dogs on commercial diets fortified with vitamin A should not exceed the manufacturer's recommended dose.
This cod liver oil delivers 345 mg EPA and 460 mg DHA per teaspoon, plus roughly 240 mg of additional naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids, for a total of 1048 mg per dose. The ratio of DHA to EPA is roughly 1.3 to 1, which is a meaningfully different profile from standard body fish oil. Most pet fish oils, including Nordic's own Omega-3 Pet formula made from the body of anchovies and sardines, run EPA-leaning (more anti-inflammatory). Cod liver oil runs DHA-leaning (more structural and cognitive support).
EPA continues to do the active anti-inflammatory work at the cellular level, competing with arachidonic acid (the inflammatory fat that omega-6 fats produce) for the enzymes that build inflammatory signaling molecules. DHA does the structural work of building and maintaining cell membranes, particularly in brain, retinal, and neural tissue. The DHA-leaning ratio in cod liver oil makes this product the natural choice for puppies in the brain-development window, senior dogs facing cognitive decline, and any dog where eye health, neurological function, or cognitive support are the primary goals alongside the standard anti-inflammatory benefits.
Think of EPA as the firefighter and DHA as the construction crew. Both are necessary. Different fish oils tilt the balance differently, and cod liver oil tilts toward construction.
The form matters here as much as it did in the body-fish version. Nordic uses triglyceride (TG) form, the natural molecular shape EPA and DHA carry inside whole fish. Triglyceride form is roughly 70% better absorbed than the cheaper ethyl ester (EE) form (a processed molecular structure that dominates the budget fish oil shelf). The cells receive what the label promises rather than a fraction of it.
The single non-fish ingredient in this formula is mixed tocopherols, the natural form of vitamin E, used at trace levels as a natural preservative. Fish oil is fragile by nature, and the omega-3 molecules and fat-soluble vitamins begin to oxidize on contact with air and light. Vitamin E protects them in the bottle and supports the same protection inside the body once the oil reaches the bloodstream, where it continues working as an antioxidant for the omega-3 already in circulation.
One ingredient deliberately absent. Most pet cod liver oils include rosemary oil as a secondary natural preservative, and rosemary has antioxidant benefits at low doses. However, rosemary oil can lower the seizure threshold in dogs prone to epilepsy, and at higher cumulative doses it can irritate sensitive digestive systems. Nordic deliberately excludes rosemary oil, using mixed tocopherols alone for preservation. This is a small choice with a real consequence: the formula is safer for seizure-prone, pregnant, and digestively sensitive pets, and Nordic accepts the small loss of shelf-life flexibility in exchange.
Why This Is The Highest Quality Cod Liver Oil On The Market
Most pet cod liver oils make purity claims on the label. Few publish the actual testing data. Nordic Naturals sends every production batch to independent third-party laboratories for the parameters that determine whether a cod liver oil is pure, potent, and fresh as labeled. The Certificate of Analysis (the lab report documenting the actual measured values) for any production lot is publicly available on the manufacturer's site, which is the transparency standard the holistic supplement industry has been moving toward but few brands have actually adopted. The label claims are not marketing. They are independently verified data points you can read for yourself.
This is the highest quality cod liver oil sold in the pet supplement category. Wild Arctic Skrei cod from one of the world's most sustainable fisheries. Nitrogen-protected processing within hours of catch. Independent third-party testing every batch for the seven contamination and freshness parameters that distinguish a clinical-grade fish oil from a commercial one. Publicly available Certificates of Analysis. Dark amber glass bottle. The same human-grade purity standards Nordic applies to its consumer fish oil line, applied unchanged to the pet line.
Potency
EPA and DHA levels measured against the label claim. The actual values are published rather than letting the label speak for itself.
Heavy Metals
Mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium tested to confirm levels well below safety thresholds. Cold-water fish accumulate marine pollutants, and testing is the only way to know what is in the bottle.
Rancidity
Peroxide and anisidine values verify the oil has not oxidized during processing. Rancid fish oil loses its omega-3 benefit and actively damages cells through oxidative stress.
Freshness (TOTOX)
Total oxidation values measured to confirm the oil reaches the bottle at peak freshness. Most pet fish oils oxidize before delivery and quietly lose potency on the shelf.
PCBs
Polychlorinated biphenyls (industrial contaminants that accumulate in marine food chains) tested every batch and confirmed below the most stringent international purity standards.
Dioxins
Persistent organic pollutants that accumulate in fish tissues from ocean contamination. Tested every batch and confirmed below safety thresholds before any oil leaves the facility.
And The Bottle Preserves What The Testing Verified
Light is the single most destructive force on omega-3 fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins. UV exposure breaks the fragile fatty acid chains, oxidizes the vitamin A and vitamin D the cod's liver carried, and creates the rancid peroxide compounds that turn a clean fish oil into one that damages cells through oxidative stress. Clear plastic bottles offer almost no UV protection. Clear glass blocks some wavelengths but lets UV through.
Nordic uses dark amber glass that blocks the full UV spectrum from the moment the oil leaves the nitrogen-protected processing facility through the last teaspoon poured from the bottle. Combined with the nitrogen-flush packaging that removes oxygen from the headspace, this is the standard the supplement industry developed for protecting human-grade omega-3 supplements, applied unchanged to the pet line. Most pet fish oils ship in clear plastic squeeze bottles because plastic is cheaper. The cost difference shows up in oxidation rates and shortened shelf life. The dark amber glass costs more, and the freshness the testing verified makes it through to the bowl.
What This Looks Like Inside Your Dog's Body
Imagine an 11-year-old retriever whose owner has been watching a quiet drift downward for the last two years. The coat is duller. The skin flakes more in winter. The dog is slower to greet visitors, hesitates a beat longer before climbing stairs, and has been getting recurring eye discharge the vet keeps prescribing drops for. None of it is a diagnosis. All of it is the slow loss of vitality that comes when the body has been running short on foundational nutrients for years. In most cases, the missing factors are not exotic. They are the same nutrients Northern European populations have used cod liver oil to deliver for centuries. Here is what changes once the daily dose is added to the routine.
DHA naturally integrates into brain, retinal, and synaptic cell membranes
The structural omega-3 your dog's neurological and visual tissue needs gets restored to the cell membranes that commercial food leaves underbuilt. The DHA-leaning profile of cod liver oil is doing more of this work than a body fish oil would.
EPA enters cell membranes and begins quieting chronic inflammation
The omega-3 fatty acid that competes with omega-6 arachidonic acid for the inflammatory enzymes begins shifting the body's inflammatory chemistry toward resolution rather than continued response.
Naturally occurring vitamin A supports skin and gut cell regeneration
Vitamin A enters the cells responsible for skin renewal, corneal maintenance, and gut lining turnover. These rapid-turnover tissues are where vitamin A deficiency shows up first and where supplementation produces the visible early improvements.
Vitamin D supports calcium absorption and immune regulation
The fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium also plays regulatory roles in the immune system. Aging dogs whose vitamin D production has slowed, and dogs with limited sun exposure, get the natural form their bodies recognize.
The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in tissues shifts toward the healthier range
The inflammatory 20-to-1 baseline that commercial food creates begins moving toward the 5-to-1 to 10-to-1 ratio that veterinary research supports. The body has the raw material it was designed to use.
Skin hydration improves and flaking reduces over four to eight weeks
The combination of vitamin A's role in skin cell turnover and omega-3's anti-inflammatory work on the skin barrier produces visible improvements within the first two months. Less dandruff. Softer coat. Less of the winter dryness that returns every year.
Eye discharge clears and visual sharpness returns over months
Vitamin A's role in retinal function and corneal maintenance, combined with DHA's concentration in retinal cells, produces the eye clarity changes verified buyers consistently describe. The dog's eyes look brighter. The chronic discharge stops needing drops.
The senior dog drifts back upward toward themselves
Cognitive sharpness returns. Engagement comes back. The dog who had been quietly fading begins greeting visitors at the door again, climbing stairs without hesitating, and looking more like the version of themselves from two years ago. This is the moment most pet parents describe when they say cod liver oil works in a way regular fish oil never quite did.
Important Notes Before Starting
Do not exceed the recommended daily dose without veterinary consultation. Vitamin A is fat-soluble and accumulates in the liver over time. The dosing on this product is calibrated to keep vitamin A within safe ranges for the dog's body weight, but stacking cod liver oil with another vitamin A supplement is not recommended, and dogs on vitamin-A-fortified commercial diets should not exceed the manufacturer's dose tier.
Pause fish oil 7 to 10 days before any surgery. Omega-3 at therapeutic doses can have mild blood-thinning effects, which is the standard reason veterinary surgeons recommend a temporary pause before scheduled procedures. Resume after your veterinarian clears it post-operatively. Inform your veterinary team about all supplements before any scheduled surgery.
Refrigerate after opening, use within 90 days. Fish oil and fat-soluble vitamins are sensitive to oxidation from heat, light, and air. Refrigeration slows that process substantially. Do not freeze the oil (freezing damages the natural molecular structure). Do not heat the oil (heat accelerates oxidation and degrades both the omega-3s and the vitamins). Use within 90 days of opening for full potency.
Is This Right For Your Dog
Is a senior dog showing the cumulative signs of aging: dull coat, dry flaky skin, slower movement, eye changes, or the reduced engagement that comes with cognitive decline.
Has been on a standard fish oil for months without the broader skin, immune, or cognitive improvements you were hoping for, and you want a more complete natural package.
Is a puppy in the brain-development window where DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D are structurally essential for cognitive and visual development.
Has chronic dry skin, recurring dandruff, or seasonal flaking the vet has been calling "winter dryness" for years without ever addressing the underlying nutritional cause.
Has chronic eye discharge, dull eyes, or vision changes your vet has been monitoring without a clear treatment path beyond drops and watching.
Is on a raw or homemade diet and you want a natural whole-food source of vitamin A and vitamin D rather than synthetic multivitamin powders.
Has chronic immune dysregulation, recurring infections, or seasonal allergies suggesting the immune system needs foundational nutritional support beyond what kibble provides.
Has joint stiffness, particularly in cold weather, where the DHA-leaning omega-3 profile and immune-supportive vitamins layer well together for aging mobility.
Eats a commercial kibble diet stripped of fat-soluble vitamins during processing and you want to restore the natural nutrient profile to the daily routine.
Belongs to a household that already uses Nordic Naturals products for the humans and you want the same human-grade purity standards for the dog.
Is seizure-prone, where rosemary-containing fish oils are contraindicated, and you need a natural cod liver oil that excludes rosemary by design.
Belongs to a label-reading, holistic-leaning pet parent who wants natural whole-food nutrition rather than synthetic vitamin addition standardized for the lowest common denominator.
How To Give It
The 8 oz and 16 oz bottles are sized for medium and large dogs with teaspoon-based dosing. For dogs under 10 lbs and for cats, the Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet 2 oz formula with calibrated dropper is the appropriate alternative, since dosing precision matters more at the small-pet scale than this bottle size can offer.
Weight-Based Dosing
Split the dose if your dog eats twice daily. The total daily dose can be given in one portion or split between morning and evening meals. For dogs over 130 lbs, consult your veterinarian before exceeding the highest tier.
Apply directly onto food. Pour the daily dose over wet food, raw food, dry food, or a food topper. The natural fish character is more pronounced than the body-fish version, which some dogs prefer (the smell is closer to whole fish) and a small minority initially resist. For initial resistance, start at half the recommended dose for three to five days and ramp to the full dose once your dog has adjusted to the taste. Mixing into warm broth resolves the resistance for almost all dogs.
Refrigerate after opening. Fish oil and fat-soluble vitamins are sensitive to oxidation from heat, light, and air exposure. Refrigeration slows that process substantially. Use within 90 days of opening for full potency. The glass bottle protects against light damage even before opening, but the bottle should still be stored away from direct sunlight. Do not freeze. Do not heat.
What The First Six Months Look Like
Weeks 1 to 2 · The cellular work begins
Most dogs show no visible change yet. EPA, DHA, and the fat-soluble vitamins are still incorporating into tissues throughout the body. The mechanism work is happening before the visible signs catch up.
Weeks 4 to 8 · Skin and coat improvements appear
Less dryness and flaking. Softer coat. Less dandruff. The vitamin A and omega-3 work on the rapid-turnover skin cells produces visible changes first because skin renews every few weeks.
Weeks 6 to 12 · Joint comfort and eye clarity improvements
Easier rising in the morning. Less stair hesitation. The chronic eye discharge clears. Senior dogs begin showing renewed engagement as the cumulative anti-inflammatory and structural work reaches deeper tissue.
Months 3 to 6 · The deepest changes
Cognitive sharpness in senior dogs. Full immune benefits of vitamins A and D. The compound effect of months of consistent membrane-level work shows up across multiple systems at once. This is the window where pet parents describe the dog finally feeling like themselves again.
Works Well With
Cod liver oil is the whole-food foundation. Here is what stacks well on top of it for specific situations, in the order most pet parents tend to add them.
Adored Beast Jump for Joynts Extra Strength Joint Support
The senior-dog pairing. Cod liver oil's DHA and omega-3 fatty acids reduce joint inflammation through cellular pathways. Jump for Joynts adds green-lipped mussel, glucosamine, and naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans (the structural sugars that build joint cartilage and synovial fluid) for cartilage and connective tissue structure. Different mechanisms targeting the same joint outcome. For dogs over seven dealing with stiffness, this is the dual-mechanism joint protocol that single-ingredient supplements cannot match.
Glacier Peak Holistics Peak Immune
Cod liver oil supports immunity through vitamin A and vitamin D's regulatory functions. Peak Immune adds a fruiting-body mushroom blend (reishi, shiitake, maitake, turkey tail) that modulates immune response through beta-glucan pathways (a class of immune-activating fibers found in mushroom cell walls). Two completely different natural immune-support mechanisms layering together. Particularly useful for senior dogs, dogs recovering from chronic illness, and dogs whose immune systems need both nutritional and herbal support.
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver, which means long-term cod liver oil use asks more of liver function than most pet parents realize. Detox Blend combines burdock, dandelion, milk thistle, and other liver-supportive herbs to maintain the body's processing capacity for the fat-soluble nutrient load. Particularly important for dogs on long-term cod liver oil protocols and senior dogs whose liver function may be declining naturally with age.
CocoTherapy Coco-Gold Organic Coconut Oil with Turmeric and Ginger
The MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides, a class of fats that the body absorbs faster than longer-chain fats) in coconut oil enhance absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including the vitamin A and vitamin D in cod liver oil. The turmeric and ginger add herbal anti-inflammatory mechanisms through completely different pathways than omega-3. Food-based, whole-plant, and naturally compatible with cod liver oil's whole-food character.
HOCL Rescue Spray (The Organic Dog Shop)
For the dog whose skin issues need both internal and topical support. Cod liver oil works on skin from the inside through cell membrane integrity and vitamin A's role in skin cell turnover. HOCL Rescue Spray works on the skin surface, neutralizing the bacteria and yeast that drive hot spots, infected ear flares, and chronic skin irritation. Different layers, complementary mechanisms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cod liver oil and regular fish oil?
This is the central question for pet parents in this category, and the difference is meaningful. Regular fish oil comes from the body of fish (anchovy, sardine, salmon) and delivers EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. Cod liver oil comes from the liver of cod specifically, which is where the fish concentrates vitamin A and vitamin D alongside the omega-3 fatty acids. Standard fish oil is a single-purpose anti-inflammatory supplement. Cod liver oil is a whole-food natural multivitamin that includes the omega-3s plus the fat-soluble vitamins in their natural matrix. For dogs whose primary issue is inflammation, the EPA-rich body fish oils are the better choice. For dogs who need broader foundational support, including immune function, brain and eye development, and the vitamins commercial kibble strips out, cod liver oil delivers more.
Can I give my dog both Nordic Omega-3 Pet AND Nordic Pet Cod Liver Oil?
You can, but most pet parents do not need to. The two products overlap substantially in their omega-3 content, and stacking them at full doses can deliver more total fat and more total vitamin A than your dog needs. Some holistic pet parents alternate the two (Omega-3 Pet most days, Cod Liver Oil two or three days a week) to capture the higher EPA from the body oil and the natural vitamins from the liver oil. Discuss the rotation with your holistic vet if you want a precise protocol.
Is cod liver oil safe for dogs? Are there vitamin A toxicity concerns?
Cod liver oil is safe for dogs at recommended doses. Vitamin A is fat-soluble and can accumulate in the liver over time, which is why the dosing on this product is calibrated to deliver vitamin A within safe ranges for the dog's body weight. The natural form of vitamin A in cod liver oil is also less likely to cause toxicity than synthetic vitamin A at equivalent doses, because the body absorbs and uses the natural matrix more efficiently. The key precautions are not exceeding the recommended dose, not stacking cod liver oil with another vitamin A supplement, and checking the commercial food label if your dog eats kibble that has been fortified with vitamin A (most are, at modest levels that do not conflict with cod liver oil dosing).
Why does this have less EPA than your Omega-3 Pet formula?
Both products are excellent omega-3 sources, but they come from different parts of different fish. The body of anchovies and sardines (Nordic Omega-3 Pet) is naturally higher in EPA. The liver of Arctic cod (this product) is naturally higher in DHA, with less EPA, but with the addition of vitamins A and D. The two products are designed for different primary use cases. EPA-rich body fish oil for active inflammation and skin issues. DHA-rich cod liver oil for brain and eye support, senior cognition, and whole-food vitamin supplementation. Neither is better in absolute terms; they serve overlapping but distinct goals.
How is this different from giving my dog the human version of Nordic Cod Liver Oil?
The Pet Cod Liver Oil is formulated and dosed specifically for canine biology. The human version contains added natural flavoring (lemon or orange) and rosemary extract as a secondary preservative, both of which are deliberately omitted from the pet version for safety reasons (rosemary can lower seizure threshold in dogs; citrus oils can irritate sensitive canine digestion). The dosing is also calibrated for pet body weights rather than adult human doses. If you already have human Nordic Cod Liver Oil at home, it can be shared short-term, but for ongoing use the pet version is the appropriate choice.
My dog is on commercial kibble. Will the added vitamin A be too much?
Most commercial kibbles are fortified with vitamin A at the baseline pet food nutrient levels set by AAFCO (the industry guidelines that determine the floor for commercial pet food formulation), which are calibrated for maintenance rather than therapeutic supplementation. The vitamin A in the recommended dose of this cod liver oil falls within the safe additional intake range for most dogs eating standard commercial diets. If your dog eats a vitamin-A-rich diet (some raw foods with liver, organ-heavy meals, or fortified premium kibbles), check the cumulative intake with your veterinarian before adding cod liver oil at full dose.
Why does Nordic Naturals deliberately leave out rosemary oil?
Most pet fish oils, including most cod liver oils, include rosemary oil as an additional natural preservative because it works well and costs little. Rosemary, however, can lower the seizure threshold (the point at which a seizure can be triggered) in dogs prone to epilepsy, and at higher cumulative doses it can irritate sensitive digestive systems. Nordic made the deliberate decision to use mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin E) alone for preservation, which keeps the formula safe for seizure-prone, pregnant, and sensitive pets while sacrificing a small amount of shelf-life flexibility.
How do I store it after opening? How long does it last?
Refrigerate the bottle once opened. Use within 90 days for full potency. Do not freeze the oil, since freezing does not extend shelf life and can damage the natural molecular structure. Do not heat the oil, since heat accelerates oxidation and degrades both the omega-3s and the fat-soluble vitamins. The glass bottle protects against light damage; store in the refrigerator door or in a dark area of the fridge.
The Clean Formula Standard You Expect
Cod liver oil is one of the oldest known nutritional supplements in continuous use, predating the modern vitamin industry by centuries. Norwegian fishermen and their families have been taking it daily through long dark winters since at least the medieval period, and the practice spread across Northern Europe because the results were visible: better immunity, better skin, better cognitive function, better resilience against the chronic deficiencies that long winters created. The modern fish oil industry replaced cod liver oil for most consumers with body fish oils plus separately added synthetic vitamins, and something was lost in that translation. What was lost is the natural matrix. The cod's liver evolved to store vitamin A, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and supporting cofactors in the biological proportions the body uses them. Nordic Naturals operates by a standard the rest of the cod liver oil category rarely matches: wild Arctic Skrei cod from one of the world's most sustainable fisheries, nitrogen-protected processing within hours of catch, naturally occurring vitamins rather than synthetic addition, triglyceride form for superior absorption, and no rosemary oil because of the seizure risk.
Wild Arctic Skrei cod liver oil. 345 mg EPA and 460 mg DHA per teaspoon. Naturally occurring vitamins A and D in their biological matrix. Four to eight weeks to feel the skin and coat change. Months to feel the full cognitive and immune benefits.
The vitamins are not added. The cod carried them.
