All About Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Dogs

Fats are an essential part of your dog’s diet and play a critical role in maintaining healthy skin and a lustrous coat. Fatty acids are the building blocks of fat.

The terms omega-3 and omega-6 are umbrella terms for groups of fatty acids. Under these groups, there are certain fatty acids that a dog must obtain in their diet, and these are considered essential fatty acids for dogs.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are special types of fatty acids that are important for your dog's well-being. It's not just about the total amount of these healthy fats in their diet - specific types of these fats are crucial for healthy skin, a shiny coat, proper brain function and a strong immune system.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Dogs

Omega-6 fatty acids play a critical role in skin health by maintaining the outermost water barrier of the skin. Linoleic acid is an essential omega-6 fatty acid for dogs. Chicken fat and canola oil are rich sources of omega-6 fatty acids.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Dogs

Omega-3’s are polyunsaturated fatty acids that play numerous roles in the body. There are three omega-3 fatty acids that play particularly important roles in supporting your dog’s health: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

ALA is found in oils from plants, such as flaxseed and canola oil. EPA and DHA are found in marine sources, such as salmon and microalgae oil.

Jennifer AdolphePhD (Companion Animal Nutrition)

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Omega-3 & 6 Fatty Acids in Pet Food

Most fats and oils are higher in omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids, but for skin and coat health, dogs should receive a balance of both.

The role of these fatty acids in maintaining health is affected by the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6, but also the total amount of each in the diet. The National Research Council (NRC) recommends a ratio of linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid between 2.6 and 26 for adult dogs and between 2.6 to 16 for growth and reproduction.²

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) dog nutrient profiles include a maximum omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of 30:1.¹ For puppies and female dogs during gestation and lactation, the AAFCO minimum for ALA is 0.08% on a dry matter basis and the minimum for EPA + DHA is 0.05% on a dry matter basis.¹

Including both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your dog’s diet is important because these fatty acids are metabolized by the body into substances that affect inflammation. Omega-3’s are considered less inflammatory than omega-6’s.

Too much dietary omega-6 and not enough omega-3 could contribute to a chronic state of low-grade inflammation that is associated with certain diseases such as obesity, cancer, and diabetes. However, too much omega-3 can also cause issues, such as a reduced ability for the blood to clot. So, as with many things when it comes nutrition, while some is good, more is not necessarily better!