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Omega-3s are essential for your dog's health: skin, coat, brain, joints… Discover their benefits and the best natural sources.
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Omega-3Today, we're diving into a fascinating and essential topic for your pet's health: Omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are widely celebrated for their benefits in humans — and they're just as vital for our four-legged friends. But what exactly are Omega-3s, and why are they so beneficial?
Omega-3s are lipids belonging to the category of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Let's start with lipids — commonly known as 'fats'. Together with proteins and carbohydrates, they make up the three main nutrient groups that fuel the body. But lipids do far more than simply provide energy. They play an important role in cell structure, help to regulate inflammation and are even involved in the production of certain hormones.
Lipids consist of fatty acids — long chains of carbon molecules. These fatty acids vary in length and chemical bonding, which determines how they function in the body. Fatty acids can be 'saturated' (no double bonds), 'monounsaturated' (one double bond), or 'polyunsaturated' (multiple double bonds).
Within the polyunsaturated fatty acid family, we find Omega-3s (so named because their double bond sits at the 3rd carbon).
Omega-3s are called 'essential' because the body cannot produce them on its own; they can only be obtained through diet.
The most important Omega-3s are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
ALA serves as a precursor to the others. Indeed, the body can convert some ALA into EPA and DHA, but this conversion is relatively low (less than 5% in humans, around 10% in dogs, and almost non-existent in cats¹). This is why it is recommended to prioritise consuming sources naturally rich in EPA and DHA.
In humans, Omega-3s are extensively documented with more than 4,000 clinical studies demonstrating their benefits for the growth and development of the nervous system, blood pressure regulation, kidney function, coagulation, and immune and inflammatory responses.
In pets (dogs and cats), the same benefits have been scientifically validated, with numerous clinical studies confirming the efficacy of Omega-3s — primarily EPA and DHA — across a wide range of conditions:
Discover our guide to Omega-3s
Omega-3s are found exclusively through diet. Some foods are more concentrated in Omega-3s than others, such as:
Algae are the primary source of Omega-3s and are particularly rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In the marine food chain, algae form the base. They synthesise Omega-3s through their capacity for photosynthesis. Fish then accumulate these fatty acids by feeding on microalgae or other fish that have fed on algae, but algae remain the original source.
The production of EPA and DHA by algae is partly an adaptation to their aquatic environment. These fatty acids help maintain the fluidity of cell membranes in the cold and variable conditions of the ocean, a vital function for the survival and functioning of algae cells.
Algae are an effective source of Omega-3s that directly provide EPA and DHA, in a sustainable and ecological way, avoiding issues associated with overfishing and fish farming.
Fish oil such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, herring, and anchovies are rich sources of Omega-3s.
These marine species are not capable of producing Omega-3s themselves; they feed on algae or on fish that have themselves consumed algae, which allows them to accumulate essential fatty acids in their bodies.
The problem with oily fish is that they absorb pollutants and heavy metals very easily (arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium). The oceans are widely contaminated by pollutants and heavy metals, which end up in the organisms of fish. As these contaminants bind to fats, oily fish contain them in higher concentrations.
Farmed fish are not guaranteed to be free of heavy metals or pollutants — they are fed fishmeal derived from wild-caught fish that may already be contaminated. A major French consumer group (60 Millions de Consommateurs) found mercury levels 7x higher in farmed organic salmon compared to wild-caught salmon.
Furthermore, many species used for their Omega-3 content are victims of overfishing, which threatens the food chain. Salmon is a prime example. Fish farming does not guarantee the protection of biodiversity, as farmed fish are fed on fishmeal, particularly krill, a species threatened by overfishing.
Finally, overfishing and climate change also have an impact on Omega-3 levels in fish. Several recent studies (Lloret et al., Meyer et al.) have demonstrated a significant decrease in Omega-3 concentration in wild fish.
Learn more about fish oils
Unlike oily fish, the green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) is a sustainable and ecological source of Omega-3s. Its farming in New Zealand takes place in protected marine areas, subject to strict quotas to preserve the ecosystem.
Its farming follows an entirely natural and environmentally responsible cycle: the mussels grow suspended on biodegradable ropes, fed exclusively on microalgae, with no artificial inputs or chemical treatments. They filter seawater without damaging the seabed and accumulate nutrients from sub-Antarctic phytoplankton, rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids.
The result: a pure, traceable Omega-3 source with a low ecological footprint, offering excellent bioavailability for dogs.
Antarctic krill oil (Euphausia superba) is often valued because it provides Omega-3s in the form of phospholipids, which are easily incorporated into cell membranes.
Despite this biological advantage, krill harvesting today raises major environmental concerns.
Krill is a fundamental pillar of the Antarctic food chain, essential to the survival of cetaceans. Overfishing, driven by growing demand (particularly for farmed salmon feed and dietary supplements), is weakening this entire ecosystem, already threatened by melting ice.
In summary, while krill provides bioavailable Omega-3s, its use is being called into question due to its significant ecological instability.
Learn more about Antarctic krill
Oilseeds such as chia, hemp, walnut, flaxseed, and rapeseed — in seed or oil form — are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), but do not contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
ALA is the precursor to Omega-3s, meaning it can be used to synthesise EPA and DHA, which are the essential fatty acids with beneficial effects in humans and animals. However, the conversion of ALA to EPA+DHA is generally not very efficient, which is why it is necessary to consume higher quantities of ALA and to supplement with direct sources of EPA and DHA.
An Omega-3-rich dietary supplement is normally concentrated in essential fatty acids and helps to complement the diet. Just as for humans, dogs and cats can consume dietary supplements to meet specific needs and improve their well-being.
There are several forms of dietary supplements, such as fish oils or plant-based tablets, but not all Omega-3-rich dietary supplements are equal in terms of quality, safety, and efficacy.
The most beneficial Omega-3s for animal health are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), but they are difficult to synthesise from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is why it is preferable to prioritise direct sources of EPA and DHA.
However, some sources of EPA and DHA, such as salmon or krill oils, contribute to the threat to biodiversity due to overfishing, and may also contain heavy metals.
Compare Omega-3 sources
Before administering a dietary supplement to your pet, it is essential to verify that the product has undergone release testing, particularly to certify the absence of heavy metals and pollutants, and also that the nutritional composition is clearly detailed, including the EPA and DHA content, as well as any other compounds that have demonstrated benefits for animal health through clinical studies.
Omega-3s are far more than a simple supplement: they form a fundamental building block of canine well-being. Whether it is skin, coat, the nervous system, or joints, these essential fatty acids are involved in numerous vital mechanisms.
In dogs, Omega-3 needs are frequently underestimated — especially when the diet is commercially processed and high in Omega-6. By incorporating natural, quality-controlled sources of EPA and DHA, derived from algae, fish, or green lipped mussel, you support optimal nutritional balance and a more resilient body.
In short, ensuring a good Omega-3 intake is investing in the health, mobility, and longevity of your companion.
This article was written by the R&D team at Laboratoire Sensilia, experts in animal nutrition.