Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)

What EPA and DHA actually do

• Compete with arachidonic acid in the inflammatory cascade, reducing pro-inflammatory eicosanoid production.
• DHA accumulates in retinal and neural tissue; supplementation in puppy and kitten growth diets is linked to better trainability and visual development.
• EPA supplementation has clinical-trial support in canine osteoarthritis for reducing perceived pain and NSAID dose.
• Both contribute to skin and coat condition in dermatological conditions.

Sources and the ALA conversion problem

Plant-based alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, from flax, chia, hemp) converts to EPA and DHA only inefficiently in dogs (<10%) and barely at all in cats. A label that lists 'omega-3' without distinguishing the chain length usually means ALA. To get the studied clinical effects, the source needs to be marine, fish oil, krill, or algae-derived DHA, and the milligrams of EPA + DHA need to be on the label.

Dosing and safety

Therapeutic dosing for inflammatory conditions in dogs is typically around 75–100 mg combined EPA + DHA per kilogram of body weight per day, but this is a veterinary decision, high doses can affect platelet function, glucose regulation, and wound healing. Use a product with a third-party purity certificate to control for mercury and oxidation; rancid fish oil is pro-inflammatory, the opposite of the intended effect.

Why it matters

EPA/DHA supplementation is one of the few over-the-counter nutritional interventions with real trial-grade evidence in companion animals. The catch is that most products under-deliver, either the chain length is wrong (ALA dressed up as 'omega-3') or the dose listed on the bottle is below the therapeutic range.