What Are Omega-3 EPA and DHA?

Omega-3 fatty acids have become a cornerstone of canine nutrition. Yet many dog owners are unfamiliar with two of the most important types: EPA and DHA.

EPA and DHA are long-chain fatty acids with important physiological roles. They contribute to joint, skin, brain, heart and kidney health, as well as immune function.

Let's look at how they work, where they come from and why their balance matters for a dog's wellbeing.

Dogs with osteoarthritis supplemented with EPA/DHA show significant improvement in mobility and quality of life after 12 weeks.

Roush et al.

EPA and DHA: What Exactly Are They?

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) belong to the Omega-3 family.

Unlike ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which must first be converted, EPA and DHA are directly bioavailable, so a dog's body can use them without this conversion step.

EPA's Role: Regulating Inflammation

EPA is the precursor of E-resolvins, natural molecules involved in the resolution of inflammation. In dogs, it contributes to:

• decreasing the production of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4;
• limiting neutrophil activation;
• reducing joint pain and stiffness (Bauer, 2007; Roush et al., 2010).

DHA's Role: Protecting Cells

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is not only a structural fatty acid.

It's a key component of phospholipids; these fatty molecules form part of canine cell membranes. Phospholipids provide a flexible, protective barrier while enabling communication between cells.

DHA accounts for up to 30–40% of brain phospholipids, but it also plays a key role in joint tissues: it protects cartilage and regulates bone cells.

A Proven Chondroprotective Effect

DHA acts directly on chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells). During inflammation, it helps preserve cartilage structure by:

• stimulating the production of type II collagen and proteoglycans (essential components of cartilage),
• inhibiting the enzymes involved in its degradation, such as MMP-13,
• and reducing the production of inflammatory molecules (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) via a specific receptor called FFAR4 (Ma et al., 2025).

In summary, DHA contributes to slowing cartilage degradation and to maintaining bone balance, acting on both inflammation and cellular regeneration.

Sustained Cellular Regeneration

Beyond protection, DHA contributes to the resolution of inflammatory processes via the production of D-resolvins and protectins, two endogenous lipid mediators. These molecules promote tissue healing and the regeneration of articular cartilage, stimulating the migration and proliferation of healthy chondrocytes.

DHA-derived metabolites, protectin D1 and resolvin D2, reduce the catabolic activity of cartilage and promote its functional repair.

Calder, Bauer

DHA is not limited to supporting the brain and vision. It also acts as a regulator of joint balance, protecting chondrocytes, inhibiting cartilage-destroying enzymes and stimulating tissue regeneration, thereby contributing to lasting mobility.

Clinically Proven Effects in Dogs

EPA and DHA act at several physiological levels. Here is an overview of their clinically documented effects in dogs:

Best Sources of Omega-3

• Oily fish: salmon, sardines, mackerel and anchovies, all naturally rich in EPA and DHA.
• New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus): rich in EPA, DHA and ETA.
• Marine microalgae (Schizochytrium sp.): an excellent non-fish source of DHA.
• Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba): rich in EPA and DHA, supplied in triglyceride and phospholipid forms, with approximately 30% phospholipids.

Why Add EPA and DHA to Your Dog's Diet?

One of the most common nutritional imbalances in dogs' diets is the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio.

Many commercial dry and wet foods contain relatively high levels of Omega-6 from vegetable oils (sunflower, corn, soy) and contain very little marine Omega-3. This can result in a ratio above 10:1 and, in some cases, as high as 20:1.

A ratio of 2.6:1 improves the immune and antioxidant profile of dogs, unlike an unbalanced ratio of 31:1.

Wander et al.

Ratios between 2:1 and 4:1 have been studied for their potential role in supporting a dog's overall health.

Conclusion

EPA and DHA are biologically important fatty acids that support a healthy, well-functioning body. They contribute to joint mobility, cognitive function, skin and heart health, and help support cartilage health.

At Laboratoire Sensilia, we've combined the best of science and nature to create PERNIXOL®, a liquid joint supplement that brings together:

• New Zealand green-lipped mussel oil, naturally rich in EPA and DHA in triglyceride and phospholipid form,
• Microalgae oil, a pure, non-fish source of DHA.

This combination supports efficient absorption, digestive tolerance and oxidative stability, helping to maintain canine mobility over time.

Scientific References

• Magalhães TR, Lourenço AL, Gregório H, Queiroga FL. Therapeutic Effect of EPA/DHA Supplementation in Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Companion Animal Diseases: A Systematic Review. In Vivo. 2021 May-Jun;35(3):1419-1436. doi: 10.21873/invivo.12394. Epub 2021 Apr 28. PMID: 33910819; PMCID: PMC8193331.
• Bauer JE. Responses of dogs to dietary omega-3 fatty acids. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Dec 1;231(11):1657-61. doi: 10.2460/javma.231.11.1657. PMID: 18052798.
• Bauer JE. Therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011 Dec 1;239(11):1441-51. doi: 10.2460/javma.239.11.1441. PMID: 22087720.
• Roush JK, Cross AR, Renberg WC, Dodd CE, Sixby KA, Fritsch DA, Allen TA, Jewell DE, Richardson DC, Leventhal PS, Hahn KA. Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010 Jan 1;236(1):67-73. doi: 10.2460/javma.236.1.67. PMID: 20043801.
• Ma J, Kitaura H, Ohori F, Marahleh A, Fan Z, Lin A, Narita K, Murakami K, Kanetaka H. Docosahexaenoic Acid Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis via FFAR4-Mediated Regulation of Inflammatory Cytokines. Molecules. 2025 Jul 29;30(15):3180. doi: 10.3390/molecules30153180. PMID: 40807354; PMCID: PMC12348860.
• Wang Z, Guo A, Ma L, Yu H, Zhang L, Meng H, Cui Y, Yu F, Yang B. Docosahexenoic acid treatment ameliorates cartilage degeneration via a p38 MAPK-dependent mechanism. Int J Mol Med. 2016 Jun;37(6):1542-50. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2016.2567. Epub 2016 Apr 14. PMID: 27082436; PMCID: PMC4866951.
• Calder PC. Marine omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: Effects, mechanisms and clinical relevance. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2015 Apr;1851(4):469-84. doi: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2014.08.010. Epub 2014 Aug 20. PMID: 25149823.
• Smith CE, Freeman LM, Rush JE, Cunningham SM, Biourge V. Omega-3 fatty acids in Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. J Vet Intern Med. 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):265-73. doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2007)21[265:ofaibd]2.0.co;2. PMID: 17427387.
• Nasciutti PR, Moraes AT, Santos TK, Gonçalves Queiroz KK, Costa APA, Amaral AR, Fernando Gomes Olivindo R, Pontieri CFF, Jeremias JT, Vendramini THA, Brunetto MA, Carvalho ROA. Protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease stages B2 and C. PLoS One. 2021 Jul 15;16(7):e0254887. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254887. PMID: 34265016; PMCID: PMC8282066.
• Rodrigues RBA, Zafalon RVA, Rentas MF, Risolia LW, Macedo HT, Perini MP, Silva AMGD, Marchi PH, Balieiro JCC, Mendes WS, Vendramini THA, Brunetto MA. The Supplementation of Docosahexaenoic Acid-Concentrated Fish Oil Enhances Cognitive Function in Puppies. Animals (Basel). 2023 Sep 16;13(18):2938. doi: 10.3390/ani13182938. PMID: 37760338; PMCID: PMC10525578.
• Wander RC, Hall JA, Gradin JL, Du SH, Jewell DE. The ratio of dietary (n-6) to (n-3) fatty acids influences immune system function, eicosanoid metabolism, lipid peroxidation and vitamin E status in aged dogs. J Nutr. 1997 Jun;127(6):1198-205. doi: 10.1093/jn/127.6.1198. PMID: 9187636.

This article was written by the R&D team at Laboratoire Sensilia, experts in animal nutrition.