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Ingredient file // Fat or oil

Cod Liver Oil

Useful marine fat with a vitamin ceiling

Cod liver oil is fat extracted from cod livers. It supplies EPA and DHA along with vitamins A and D, but the ingredient name alone does not tell you how much of any of them reaches your dog.

Cod Liver Oil
What it is
Oil separated from cod livers that contains marine omega-3 fats and naturally occurring vitamins A and D.
Made from
Livers removed from cod
Main job
EPA and DHA supply
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Extra vitamins from added supplements
Not the same as
Fish body oil

Straight answer

Is Cod Liver Oil safe for dogs?

Read the dose before praising the oil

Cod liver oil low on an ingredient list is a plausible way to add marine fats, but its position cannot tell you the EPA and DHA dose. Look for those amounts on the bag or ask the maker. Before adding a separate supplement, count the food's vitamins A and D.

Why it is in the food
EPA and DHA supply

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 46 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

2%

69 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 9 brands. 40 frozen dog food, 17 freeze-dried dog food, 8 dry dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 15. In the top five of 0 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

64%

Listed before the salt in 64% of foods. In the rest it is under about 1% of the recipe.

Price per lb

Foods with it $4.25
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 8 priced foods, 31% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

28%

of the foods that list it are from Smallbatch. 9 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Fish processors remove livers while gutting cod. Those livers have a separate use: steam cooking releases oil, and separation equipment removes water and solids before the oil goes to a food plant.9,10

  1. 01 // Source Cod livers Workers remove the livers during fish processing, leaving the rest of the cod for other products.
  2. 02 // Process Steam cooked Heating the livers in steam boilers releases the oil from their tissue.
  3. 03 // Process Separated Centrifugal equipment separates fish oil from water and remaining solids.
  4. 04 // Output Cod liver oil The separated liquid oil goes to the food plant as a fat ingredient.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

110

g/kg EPA

The reference table's EPA value for cod liver oil. It describes the ingredient, not the EPA dose in a finished food.

Crude fat 100%4
EPA 110 g/kg4
DHA 108 g/kg4

These fatty acid figures are reference values, not guaranteed ranges. Reported vitamin A and D levels vary widely among cod liver oils, so the ingredient name cannot tell you the finished food's vitamin dose.4,8

Why it is in the bag

What the manufacturer gets

  1. 01

    Adds marine omega-3s

    EPA and DHA enter the recipe as ready-made marine fats. Diets with more of these fats produced modest improvements in some signs of osteoarthritis in dogs.1,4

  2. 02

    Adds fat and energy

    Oil raises the recipe's fat content and supplies energy. Its EPA and DHA content distinguishes it from fats used only for calories.4

  3. 03

    Uses removed livers

    Oil production gives fish processors a use for cod livers. Manufactured vitamin sources are cheaper, so the oil's distinct recipe value is its marine fat.5,9

How much An arthritis trial tested diets starting at 0.8% EPA and DHA; it did not identify cod liver oil as the source.1

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Cod liver oil supplies EPA and DHA

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A cod liver oil reference lists 110 g/kg EPA and 108 g/kg DHA. The oil supplies both fats, but its place on an ingredient list does not disclose their amounts in the finished food.4,7

  2. Brands say

    Cod liver oil relieves a dog's arthritis

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a brand-authored, randomized trial of 177 dogs with osteoarthritis, higher fish oil intake modestly improved some signs over 90 days. It did not test cod liver oil specifically or show that an unspecified amount on a label treats arthritis.1,11

  3. Brands say

    Cod liver oil stops itching and improves coats

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A Hill's-funded, 40-dog trial fed a diet with fish oil, antioxidants and polyphenols for 60 days. CADESI-4 lesion scores improved significantly more than control at day 60 (48.5% vs 16.8%, P=0.02), though itching gains were not significantly different. Cod liver oil was never tested.2

  4. Brands say

    Natural vitamins strengthen bones and immunity

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Cod liver oil contains vitamins A and D, with wide reported variation in their levels. The dog trials here tested fish oil diets, not whether cod liver oil's vitamins improve bones or immunity in dogs eating complete food.1,2,5,8

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It is fat with a job: supplying energy and EPA and DHA. The useful question is how much of those fats the finished food provides. An ingredient list gives its rank by weight, not its nutrient dose.4,7

  2. Q02

    Is it better than fish oil?

    Not automatically

    Cod liver oil comes from livers and carries more vitamins A and D than ordinary fish oil. Both supply marine fats. Extra vitamins offer no clear advantage when the complete recipe already supplies enough.4,5,8

  3. Q03

    Should I add more?

    Check first

    Adding bottled cod liver oil increases fat and vitamins A and D together. Check the food's ingredients and the supplement's stated amounts before adding it, especially if your dog already receives other supplements.3,5,7

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Smallbatch 19 / 23
  2. Viva Raw 8 / 8
  3. Bones & Co 8 / 9
  4. Instinct 8 / 98
  5. Stella & Chewy's 7 / 85
  6. OC Raw Dog 6 / 13
  7. Primal 5 / 8
  8. Darwin's Natural Pet Products 4 / 4
  9. Answers Pet Food 4 / 12

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Broccoli 58%
  2. Carrots 52%
  3. Green Beans 35%
  4. Sweet Potatoes 23%
  5. Pumpkin Seeds 23%
  6. Butternut Squash 23%
  7. Squash 22%
  8. Spinach 22%
  9. Chicken Liver 20%
  10. Turkey Heart 19%
  11. Beef Liver 19%
  12. Apples 19%

On the shelf

Foods that list Cod Liver Oil

69 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Premium Beef Grain-Free Frozen Dog FoodDarwin's Natural Pet ProductsDarwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Premium Beef Grain-Free Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 8 on the labelSmallbatch Rabbit Small Bites Freeze-Dried Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Rabbit Small Bites Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 8 on the labelSmallbatch Lamb Small Bites Freeze-Dried Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Lamb Small Bites Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 8 on the labelAnswers Pet Food Detailed Mighty Raw Chicken Frozen Dog FoodAnswers Pet FoodAnswers Pet Food Detailed Mighty Raw Chicken Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 10 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Lamb Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Lamb Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 11 on the labelAnswers Pet Food Detailed Mighty Raw Turkey Frozen Dog FoodAnswers Pet FoodAnswers Pet Food Detailed Mighty Raw Turkey Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 11 on the labelOC Raw Dog Chicken & Produce Freeze-Dried Dog FoodOC Raw DogOC Raw Dog Chicken & Produce Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 11 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost RawBoost+ Mixers Tranquility Recipe Dog Food TopperInstinctInstinct Raw Boost RawBoost+ Mixers Tranquility Recipe Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 11 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Rabbit Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Rabbit Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 12 on the labelOC Raw Dog Complete Meals Turkey & Produce Frozen Dog FoodOC Raw DogOC Raw Dog Complete Meals Turkey & Produce Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 12 on the labelInstinct Raw Signature Patties Real Lamb Recipe Frozen Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Signature Patties Real Lamb Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 13 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Wild Caught Raw Blend Kibble Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Wild Caught Raw Blend Kibble Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the label
Show 48 more
Answers Pet Food Detailed Mighty Raw Pork Frozen Dog FoodAnswers Pet FoodAnswers Pet Food Detailed Mighty Raw Pork Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 11 on the labelAnswers Pet Food Detailed Mighty Raw Beef Frozen Dog FoodAnswers Pet FoodAnswers Pet Food Detailed Mighty Raw Beef Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 11 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Duck Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Duck Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 12 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Turkey Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Turkey Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 12 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Chicken Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Chicken Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 12 on the labelSmallbatch Freeze-Dried Turkey Small Bites Freeze-Dried Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Freeze-Dried Turkey Small Bites Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 12 on the labelSmallbatch Chicken Small Bites Freeze-Dried Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Chicken Small Bites Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 12 on the labelSmallbatch Small Batch Beef Small Bites Freeze-Dried Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Small Batch Beef Small Bites Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 12 on the labelSmallbatch Frozen Raw Lamb Patties Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Frozen Raw Lamb Patties Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 12 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Pork Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Pork Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 13 on the labelSmallbatch Lightly Cooked Chicken Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Lightly Cooked Chicken Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 13 on the labelOC Raw Dog Complete Meals Chicken & Produce Frozen Dog FoodOC Raw DogOC Raw Dog Complete Meals Chicken & Produce Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 13 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Beef Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Beef Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 14 on the labelSmallbatch Chicken Sliders Freeze-Dried Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Chicken Sliders Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 14 on the labelSmallbatch Raw Rabbit Sliders Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Raw Rabbit Sliders Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 14 on the labelInstinct Raw Signature Patties Real Duck Recipe Frozen Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Signature Patties Real Duck Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 14 on the labelInstinct Raw Signature Bites Real Duck Recipe Frozen Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Signature Bites Real Duck Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 14 on the labelBones & Co Cage-Free Turkey Raw - The Bones & Co. Freeze-Dried Dog FoodBones & CoBones & Co Cage-Free Turkey Raw - The Bones & Co. Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 15 on the labelBones & Co Cage-Free Chicken Raw - The Bones & Co. Freeze-Dried Dog FoodBones & CoBones & Co Cage-Free Chicken Raw - The Bones & Co. Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 15 on the labelBones & Co Grass-Fed Beef Raw - The Bones & Co. Freeze-Dried Dog FoodBones & CoBones & Co Grass-Fed Beef Raw - The Bones & Co. Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 15 on the labelBones & Co Cage-Free Chicken Raw - The Bones & Co. Frozen Dog FoodBones & CoBones & Co Cage-Free Chicken Raw - The Bones & Co. Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 15 on the labelBones & Co Cage-Free Turkey Raw - The Bones & Co. Frozen Dog FoodBones & CoBones & Co Cage-Free Turkey Raw - The Bones & Co. Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 15 on the labelBones & Co Cage-Free Duck Raw - The Bones & Co. Frozen Dog FoodBones & CoBones & Co Cage-Free Duck Raw - The Bones & Co. Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 15 on the labelBones & Co Grass-Fed Lamb Raw - The Bones & Co. Frozen Dog FoodBones & CoBones & Co Grass-Fed Lamb Raw - The Bones & Co. Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 15 on the labelBones & Co Grass-Fed Beef Raw - The Bones & Co. Frozen Dog FoodBones & CoBones & Co Grass-Fed Beef Raw - The Bones & Co. Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 15 on the labelDarwin’s Natural Pet Products BioLogics Raw Chicken for Healthy Dogs Grain-Free Frozen Dog FoodDarwin's Natural Pet ProductsDarwin’s Natural Pet Products BioLogics Raw Chicken for Healthy Dogs Grain-Free Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 15 on the labelPrimal Canine Raw Nuggets - Venison Frozen Dog FoodPrimalPrimal Canine Raw Nuggets - Venison Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 15 on the labelSmallbatch Raw Turkey Sliders Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Raw Turkey Sliders Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 15 on the labelSmallbatch Lightly Cooked Turkey Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Lightly Cooked Turkey Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 15 on the labelOC Raw Dog Rabbit & Produce Freeze-Dried Dog FoodOC Raw DogOC Raw Dog Rabbit & Produce Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 15 on the labelOC Raw Dog Complete Meals Rabbit & Produce Frozen Dog FoodOC Raw DogOC Raw Dog Complete Meals Rabbit & Produce Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 15 on the labelPrimal Freeze-Dried Raw Scoopable Pronto Dog Food TopperPrimalPrimal Freeze-Dried Raw Scoopable Pronto Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 15 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost Mixers Blends Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog Food TopperInstinctInstinct Raw Boost Mixers Blends Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 15 on the labelDarwin’s Natural Pet Products Intelligent Design for Dogs Joint Support Grain-Free Frozen Dog FoodDarwin's Natural Pet ProductsDarwin’s Natural Pet Products Intelligent Design for Dogs Joint Support Grain-Free Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 16 on the labelSmallbatch Frozen Raw Chicken Patties Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Frozen Raw Chicken Patties Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 16 on the labelSmallbatch Lightly Cooked Beef Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Lightly Cooked Beef Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 16 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost Mixers Blends Real Beef Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog Food TopperInstinctInstinct Raw Boost Mixers Blends Real Beef Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 16 on the labelViva Raw Pure Puppy Recipe Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Pure Puppy Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 17 on the labelDarwin’s Natural Pet Products Intelligent Design for Dogs Comprehensive Cancer Support Grain-Free Frozen Dog FoodDarwin's Natural Pet ProductsDarwin’s Natural Pet Products Intelligent Design for Dogs Comprehensive Cancer Support Grain-Free Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 17 on the labelSmallbatch Beef Sliders Freeze-Dried Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Beef Sliders Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 17 on the labelSmallbatch Raw Beef Sliders Frozen Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Raw Beef Sliders Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 17 on the labelOC Raw Dog Venison & Produce Freeze-Dried Dog FoodOC Raw DogOC Raw Dog Venison & Produce Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 17 on the labelPrimal Kibble in the Raw Dry Dog FoodPrimalPrimal Kibble in the Raw Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelInstinct Raw Signature Patties Real Rabbit Recipe Frozen Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Signature Patties Real Rabbit Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 17 on the labelInstinct Raw Signature Bites Real Rabbit Recipe Frozen Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Signature Bites Real Rabbit Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 17 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Wild-Caught Whitefish Raw Coated Kibble Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Wild-Caught Whitefish Raw Coated Kibble Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 17 on the labelSmallbatch Lamb Sliders Freeze-Dried Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Lamb Sliders Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 18 on the labelSmallbatch Turkey Sliders Freeze-Dried Dog FoodSmallbatchSmallbatch Turkey Sliders Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 20 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Dose-Titration Effects of Fish Oil in Osteoarthritic Dogs Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2010 // Journal
  2. 2 Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial measuring the effect of a dietetic food on dermatologic scoring and pruritus in dogs with atopic dermatitis BMC Veterinary Research, 2021 // Journal
  3. 3 Potential Adverse Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dogs and Cats Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2013 // Journal
  4. 4 Cod liver oil Tables of composition and nutritional values of feed materials, INRA CIRAD AFZ, n.d. // Database
  5. 5 Fish oil Feedipedia, n.d. // Database
  6. 6 Vitamin D Toxicity in Dogs U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2024 // Government
  7. 7 What's in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  8. 8 The Composition of Fish Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, n.d. // Government
  9. 9 Some Notes on Fish Handling and Processing Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, n.d. // Government
  10. 10 Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines for Fish Processing World Bank Group, 2007 // Government
  11. 11 ERRATUM Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2011 // Journal
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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