Question

Can I increase the amount of fish oil (EO-3) I feed to boost calorie consumption and avoid feeding two different oils? My gelding currently gets 4 oz (120 ml) of EO-3 daily, and I’d like to bump it up to 8 oz (240 ml) so I don’t have to introduce a second fat source.

Answer

EO-3 is the perfect choice to supplement omega-3 fatty acids to your gelding and can certainly be used as a source of calories. Feeding 8 oz each day, preferably split between meals, should cause no problem.

If you change your mind about feeding more than one oil in the future, there are many oils on the market to choose from, and all have the same caloric content. However, if you are thinking about the fatty acid makeup and want to keep the omega-3s balanced with the omega-6s, then I would recommend either canola or soybean oil (moderate omega-3s and -6s), and avoid corn or sunflower oil (very high in omega-6s). Continue to feed EO-3 as well.