International Omega-3 Learning and Education Consortium for Health and Medicine

The pet foods that are formulated with enhanced amounts of omega-3 fatty acids typically contain from 0.03% to 2% of the diet by weight as omega-3 fatty acids. This minimum analyzed (laboratory tested) quantity of omega-3 fatty acids is shown on the label of every pet food package that claims to contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. This level of total omega-3 fatty acids may contain one or more of these health beneficial fatty acids. That is, the total amount may be just one or a combination of alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The type and amount of the omega-3 fatty acids in the pet food is largely dependent on the sources of the ingredients that provide them. Therefore, special attention should be paid when reading the food label for both the guaranteed analysis and ingredient content of the pet food to understand the amount and type of omega-3 fatty acids in the pet food product.

Long chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, in pet foods come from ingredients such as fish oil, fish meals, and other fish products. While the essential omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is from ingredients of vegetable sources, such as soybean oil, canola oil, soy flour, flaxseed, flax meal, soybean meal, and canola meal, as examples.

If the presence of omega-3 fatty acids is claimed in the guaranteed analysis, the following ranges of omega-3 fatty acids should be expected on the label. The range for total omega-3 fatty acids in the pet food by weight is from 0.03% to 2% of the diet, with the high end of the omega-3 fatty acids being found mostly in veterinarian pet food products. The range for DHA is usually from 0.05% to 0.25% of the diet and for EPA, the range is from 0.1% to 0.25% of the diet. The amount of ALA is less often shown compared to total omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA in the guaranteed analysis of pet food labels. One should keep in mind that the values for total omega-3 fatty acids or the individual omega-3 fatty acids are not mandatory information that must be on pet food labels. For this reason, the consumers will see a footnote that says "Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles" in the omega-3 fatty acids section (please see Pet food products).

For more information, please go to our website and read the section on Pet Owners. Also refer to our library section of the website for publications on companion animals and the portal for omega-3 search on the NIH digital archive.