The Product I Flat-out Refused to Carry for 3 Years…
I have a confession to make. There is an incredible new product on our shelves, but it almost didn’t make it into our store. In fact, for three long years, I flat-out refused to carry it and couldn't bring myself to stock it.
I found this product three years ago and each time I attended an industry trade show, I would speak with the rep from Carino and she would talk to me about the mind-blowing benefits of Canadian harp seal oil for pets. And for three years, I couldn't bring myself to bring the product in. I thought the benefits sounded amazing and it wasn't that I didn't believe her, it was because it was seal oil.
Every time I heard the words "seal oil," all I could see was an old t-shirt my mom used to wear when I was a kid. It had a big picture of an adorable baby seal’s face on it and said "Save the Seals." That image was so deeply ingrained in my brain that my immediate, emotional response was just an absolute, hard “Not gonna do it!”
🎙️ If you'd prefer to listen to this blog, you can find it here anywhere you love listening to podcasts! Look for S1 E35: "The Product I Flat-out Refused to Carry for 3 Years ".
But at the last trade show I attended in Abbotsford BC, something unexpected happened.
I was chatting with my rep from K9 Naturals, someone who has absolutely nothing to do with Carino or seal oil. Out of nowhere, he asked me, "Hey, do you carry Carino Seal Oil in your shop?"
I looked at him and said, "No! I can't get past the fact that it's seal oil!"
He stopped, looked at me, and said, "Carly, if you tried it, you'd never be without it. I had really bad arthritis in my knee. After taking seal oil myself, I have absolutely no pain in my knee anymore."
That conversation stopped me in my tracks. It prompted me to dig in deeper with the team at the Carino booth, ask some entirely different questions, and inevitably send myself down the massive research rabbit hole I so often find myself in!
Arthritis and joint issues in our pets are a massive issue. Joint degradation starts in our pets as young as two years old. This is why we stress the importance of including joint supplements right from puppyhood. If you've been with us a while and especially if you've been in the store lately, you may have noticed Zaner wasn't entirely acting himself. His back and neck have been bothering him and I know lubricating his joints is key to helping him feel back to his pawesome little feisty self! I'm already seeing improvements and that's why I felt it was so important to share it with you!
The Real Truth About Pet Food and Omegas 🥣
Here is the thing about pet food: almost all commercial diets, whether it’s standard kibble, canned food, dehydrated or even some pre-made raw meals, are dangerously low in high-quality Omega-3s.
When a pet food is labeled "complete and balanced," in most cases it just means it has the bare minimum nutrients required to allow our pets to survive. It doesn't mean the food is packed with what they need to truly thrive.
To make matters worse, Omega-3s are incredibly fragile. The intense heat and pressure used to manufacture kibble completely cooks out those delicate, anti-inflammatory oils. Then, as the food sits on a store shelf or in your pantry for weeks, any remaining oils can go rancid. Instead of soothing your dog's body, those oxidized fats can actually trigger inflammation.
Those of us who feed a fresh, raw food diet aren't off the hook when it comes to marine oils in our food. While freezing raw food stops bacteria, it doesn't stop oxygen and ice crystals from slowly breaking down fragile marine oils over months in the freezer. By the time the food thaws, these delicate omegas can actually become oxidized and cause inflammation, making it crucial to add a fresh, active source directly to the bowl at mealtime.
Because the commercial food system just can't keep these delicate oils fresh and alive, it is up to us as pet parents to bridge the gap! Adding a fresh, active source of marine Omega-3s directly to the bowl at mealtime is the only reliable way to protect your pet's joints, heart, skin and overall health! This is why if you've been in the store, or seen our socials, you'll hear us talk about oils a lot!
What I Learned About the Canadian Seal Population 🇨🇦
Knowing how badly our pets need a better Omega supplement, I had to tackle my emotional hurdle about the seals themselves.
The facts completely flipped my perspective. Right now in Atlantic Canada, the seal population is experiencing an absolute boom. There are an estimated 12 million seals out in eastern Canada! Because there are so many of them, they are heavily overpopulated and causing a massive imbalance in the ocean ecosystem, eating up to 24 times more fish (like cod and halibut) than the entire local fishing industry catches. As adorable as that seal face was on my mom's t-shirt, the overpopulation of seals is actually a nuisance that is causing a major issue.
To help restore balance to our waters, seals are strictly, humanely, and sustainably harvested under incredibly tight Canadian government regulations. This means utilizing seal oil isn't just ethical; it's a deeply responsible way to use an abundant Canadian resource that protects our marine ecosystem.
Knowing the science and the sustainability, I knew I couldn't keep this away from Zaner, myself or your pets any longer.
I've already added it to Zaner’s and my bowl! As my little guy navigates being a senior, keeping his inflammation down is my number one priority. Zaner is already getting seal oil in his daily diet to protect his stiff joints, support his heart, and keep his memory and brain sharp as a tack. 📌
The Miracle of Mammal-to-Mammal Nutrition 🧬
We all know marine Omega-3s are great for fighting inflammation and you may already be using a fish oil, but seal oil has a massive biological advantage over standard fish oil. This is not me telling you to ditch your fish oil, it still provides huge benefits. What I am saying is that seal oil should become part of your supplement rotation, because of the unique benefits it provides your furry guy!
🦭 Because seals are mammals, their cells are built just like our dogs and cats. Your pet's body recognizes it instantly, which means they can absorb and use it way more efficiently than fish oil.
🦭 Fish oil only contains two omegas (EPA and DHA). Seal oil naturally contains an elusive third one called DPA. DPA stands for Docosapentaenoic Acid. It is the third major, long-chain marine Omega-3 fatty acid.
✅ While standard fish oil is packed with EPA and DHA, DPA is the "missing link" that sits directly between them in the fatty acid pathway. It is incredibly rare in high concentrations, but Canadian seal oil is one of the richest natural sources of it on the planet.
DPA works as a superpower booster for a pet's health in three distinct ways:
1. The Ultimate "Shape-Shifter" (Metabolic Reservoir) DPA acts like a biological traffic director or storage depot. Because of its unique chemical structure, the body can bi-directionally convert DPA into either EPA or DHA on demand. If a senior pet's brain needs more DHA for cognitive support, or their joints need more EPA to fight stiffness, DPA shape-shifts into whatever the body is lacking at that exact moment. It also stays in the bloodstream significantly longer than EPA, making the entire Omega supplement highly efficient.
2. While EPA is famous for suppressing inflammation, DPA acts as a precursor to specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) called resolvins and protectins. Instead of just blocking the body's inflammatory response, DPA actively helps resolve and clean up chronic inflammation. For a pet dealing with hot spots, seasonal allergies, or arthritis, this means faster, deeper cellular healing.
3. Studies show that DPA is exceptionally effective at promoting endothelial cell migration, which is a fancy way of saying it helps repair, maintain, and protect the lining of blood vessels. It also inhibits platelet aggregation (preventing abnormal blood clotting) and manages triglyceride levels, providing heavy-duty support for a pet's heart health.
The easy way to look at this is if EPA and DHA are the foundation of joint and skin health, DPA is the catalyst that makes them work twice as hard while filling in the nutritional gaps standard fish oils completely leave behind. DPA acts like an incredible superpower booster, making the other omegas work twice as hard to heal inflammation.
🦭 This is my absolute favourite part! Because it is a mammalian oil, it is incredibly gentle on the digestive tract. Heavy fish oils can sometimes trigger loose stools, but seal oil means no diarrhea and no bad bathroom breaks, just pure, clean health benefits. Zaner can have a touchy tummy, so I always have to gradually introduce his fish oil, but seal oil is so gentle, our bathroom breaks are not impacted.
👉 All furry guys can benefit from marine Omegas, especially when most can't absorb plant Omegas, but some furry guys can't tolerate fish and that means they're missing a key component in a healthy diet. Because seal oil gives us the benefits (and then some) of a marine oil, but isn't from fish, furry guys with fish sensitivities can easily enjoy all the benefits of marine Omegas without any issue!
If your furry family is dealing with stiff joints, seasonal allergies, a dull coat, or if you just want to proactively support their brain and organs as they age, seal oil is the ultimate upgrade for their bowl.
Carino Seal Oil is officially unpacked and on our shelves! It took me too long to get over my childhood memories of a t-shirt my mom used to wear and I wish I would have figured things out sooner! In the short time Zaner and I have been using seal oil, I can already see the difference in him and I can already feel it in my own joints and mental sharpness! And fun fact, I've also got my mom taking it!
Come visit us in-store to grab a bottle, or tap the link below to add it to your next online order. You and your furry guy will be glad you did!
Can't wait to hear how your pets thrive on it!