While a balanced diet is the foundation of health, one specific nutrient stands out for its ability to manage inflammation and improve quality of life: Omega-3 fatty acids.
What are Omega-3s?
Omega-3s are a type of "essential" polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). "Essential" means your pet’s body cannot produce enough on its own, so they must get them through their diet.
While you may have heard of ALA (found in flax and seeds), the real "superstars" for pets are EPA and DHA. These are found primarily in marine sources like fish, krill, and algae. Interestingly, fish don't make these fats themselves—they accumulate them by eating algae and krill (1–4). Because dogs and cats only convert about 10% or less of plant-based ALA into the active EPA and DHA they need, marine-based sources are the preferred choice for therapeutic results (1–4, 18, 19).
Targeting Common Health Concerns
Omega-3s act as "inflammation-resolving" molecules, essentially cooling the fires of chronic inflammation that contribute to many common diseases (5).
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Joint Health & Mobility: This is perhaps the most common use for omega-3s. Studies show that supplementation reduces inflammatory markers within the joint fluid (6, 7). In clinical trials, both dogs and cats fed therapeutic diets rich in omega-3s showed significant improvements in mobility, jumping, and activity levels, with a visible reduction in stiffness and lameness (8–10).
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Skin & Allergy Support: Itchy skin (pruritis) is a frustrating issue for pets and owners alike. Whether caused by environmental allergies or fleas, fish oil supplementation has been shown to reduce itching within several weeks (11). Pets with new or mild allergies often see the best results.
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Kidney Care: For pets with chronic kidney disease, omega-3s can be life-changing. They help reduce protein loss in the urine, manage high blood pressure at the kidney level, and decrease inflammation within the renal tissues, potentially extending a pet's lifespan (12–14).
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Organ & Cognitive Health: Beyond the basics, these fatty acids help manage heart arrhythmias (2, 15, 16), lipid disorders (17), and even inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (5). Emerging research also suggests they support brain health, helping older dogs with cognitive decline and even reducing seizure frequency in epileptic dogs when used alongside traditional medication (20–22).
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Cancer Management: In studies of dogs with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy, those on a supplemented diet showed improved survival times and longer disease-free intervals (23).
A Look at Pet Food Labels
It is important to know that not all pet foods provide therapeutic levels of omega-3s. Currently, the AAFCO (the body that sets pet food standards) only requires a minimal amount of DHA for growing puppies and kittens, and very little for adult maintenance diets.
This means typical over-the-counter pet foods often contain only "baseline" amounts. While some Veterinary Therapeutic Diets are formulated with much higher levels of EPA and DHA to manage specific diseases, the exact amounts can vary. To achieve therapeutic benefits, it is always worth checking whether the omega-3s in a food are marine-based (EPA/DHA) or plant-based (ALA) to ensure your pet is getting the most effective form.
Safety & Expert Guidance
While supplementation is incredibly safe, "more" isn't always "better." At very high doses, some pets may experience mild side effects like upset stomachs, weight gain, or slightly slower wound healing (24).
Because every pet is a unique individual—and many are already on medications or special diets—veterinary guidance is essential. Your veterinarian can evaluate foods and supplements and then help calculate a specific range of omega-3 intake, potentially combining a therapeutic diet with a high-quality supplement to achieve the best results for your pet’s unique needs.
References
Bauer JE. The essential nature of dietary omega-3 fatty acids in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2016.
Bauer JE. Responses of dogs to dietary omega-3 fatty acids. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007.
Bauer JE. Metabolic basis for the essential nature of fatty acids and the unique dietary fatty acid requirements of cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006.
Bauer JE, et al. Dietary flaxseed in dogs results in differential transport and metabolism of (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids. J Nutr. 1998.
Bauer JE. Therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011.
Lascelles BD, et al. Expression and activity of COX-1 and 2 and 5-LOX in joint tissues from dogs with naturally occurring coxofemoral joint osteoarthritis. J Orthop Res. 2009.
Hansen RA, et al. Fish oil decreases matrix metalloproteinases in knee synovia of dogs with inflammatory joint disease. J Nutr Biochem. 2008.
Roush JK, et al. 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.
Roush JK, et al. Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010.
Lascelles BD, et al. Evaluation of a therapeutic diet for feline degenerative joint disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2010.
Scott DW, et al. Effect of an omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid-containing commercial lamb and rice diet on pruritus in atopic dogs. Can J Vet Res. 1997.
Brown SA, et al. Beneficial effects of chronic administration of omega-3 fatty acids in dogs with renal insufficiency. J Lab Clin Med. 1998.
Brown SA, et al. Effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in early renal insufficiency in dogs. J Lab Clin Med. 2000.
Plantinga EA, et al. Retrospective study of the survival of cats with acquired chronic renal insufficiency offered different commercial diets. Vet Rec. 2005.
Freeman LM. Interventional nutrition for cardiac disease. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract. 1998.
Smith CE, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids in Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. J Vet Intern Med. 2007.
Xenoulis PG, Steiner JM. Canine hyperlipidaemia. J Small Anim Pract. 2015.
Park HJ, et al. Dietary fish oil and flaxseed oil supplementations modify plasma lipid concentrations and lipid metabolism in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2011.
Corbee RJ, et al. A comparative study on the fraction of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in blood plasma of dogs and cats. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr. 2012.
Pan Y, et al. Efficacy of a therapeutic diet on dogs with signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome. J Alzheimers Dis. 2018.
Scorza E, et al. Combined treatment with omega-3 fatty acids and phenobarbital in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2015.
Re S, et al. Aggressive dogs are characterized by low omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status. Vet Res Commun. 2008.
Selting KA, et al. Evaluation of the effects of dietary n-3 fatty acid supplementation on doxorubicin in dogs with lymphoma. Am J Vet Res. 2006.
Lenox CE, Bauer JE. Potential adverse effects of omega-3 Fatty acids in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2013.
