28/06/2025
This graphic shows clearly where to find the DHA and EPA that hour dogs need!
Omega 3’s: HOW DO YOU MEET YOUR PET’S NEEDS 🦑🐟🦐💧?
From what I see online, lots of people are confused about actual sources of DHA and EPA; Ahi flower, camelina, flax, chia, h**p, coconut, olive, and walnut oil contain zero EPA and DHA, yet are often added by pet owners hoping to reduce inflammation in their pets’ bodies.
Adequate, anti-inflammatory levels of EPA and DHA are only achieved when pets consume sufficient amounts of EPA and DHA-rich supplements or seafood.
Current AAFCO guidelines do not mandate the inclusion of EPA or DHA in dog or cat food because it goes rancid so quickly and would oxidize long before kibbles’ 2 year+ shelf life. Instead, they accept ALA, the plant-based omega-3, to meet ALL omega-3 requirements 🤯. The problem is, ALA alone, can’t.
Excluding balanced algae oil (not powder), ALL “high omega-3” plant oils ONLY contain ALA, and dogs and cats lack adequate Δ6-desaturase enzymes to convert ALA to EPA and DHA.
This is why it's so important to include pre-formed EPA and DHA from fish or marine sources to meet their nutritional needs (and manage inflammation!). 🔥
When purchasing marine-sourced oils (regardless of the source—Perna, squid, sardine, anchovy, krill, salmon, etc.), always look for third-party sustainability certification, like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
While beneficial for other health reasons (including joint and gut health), don’t bother with dry algae or Perna mussel powders; without consuming cups of these supplements, there’s not enough EFAs in these powders to make a meaningful difference when it comes to improving DHA and EPA blood levels.
Wanna learn more? Get link to my free new article about EPA/DHA by commenting , below 😻⬇️