Essential Fatty Acids, or EFAs, are nutrients your dog must get from food because the body can’t make them. The two big players are Omega-3s and Omega-6s. Most people recognize the names… but not everyone knows how important they are or why timing matters.

Here’s the simple version:
Omega-3s and Omega-6s affect everything from inflammation to immunity to long-term disease risk. And your dog needs the right balance of both starting early in life, not after problems appear.

Let’s break it down.

Omega-6s: Easy to Get (Sometimes Too Easy)

Omega-6 fatty acids show up everywhere in modern diets. They’re in vegetable oils, seeds, nuts, grain-fed meats, and most processed pet foods. They do serve a purpose, but today’s dogs get far more Omega-6s than they need.

When Omega-6s outweigh Omega-3s, the body leans into inflammation… which opens the door to chronic issues.

Omega-3s: The Heavy Lifters

Omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, support cell health, heart function, immune balance, and healthy inflammation response.

They’re mainly found in cold-water fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring. Grass-fed meats and some sea plants have tiny amounts, but they’re not enough for what the body needs.

Plant oils?

Not helpful for pets. Dogs and cats cannot convert plant omega-3s (ALA) into EPA or DHA.

That means flaxseed oil, chia oil, and hemp oil do almost nothing.

If you want your dog to actually benefit from Omega-3s, marine oils are the answer.

Why Marine Oils Matter

Dogs and cats simply don’t have the enzymes needed to convert plant-based Omega-3s into usable forms.

A tiny splash of olive oil won’t hurt them, but it won’t help either.

A sardine?

That’s a different story. It’s rich in EPA, DHA, and exactly what their system recognizes as usable nutrition.

High-quality marine oils support:

• Healthier cell membranes
• A calmer inflammatory response
• Heart and circulatory health
• Lower triglycerides
• Balanced blood pressure
• Overall vitality

This is why Omega-3s are essential throughout your dog’s entire life, from puppyhood to senior years.

The Problem With Modern Diets

Most dogs today eat processed food that’s:

• Loaded with Omega-6s
• Very low in Omega-3s
• Often made with genetically modified oils

This creates an Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio that is wildly out of balance.
The ideal ratio for dogs is about 5:1.

Most processed diets land far above that.

That imbalance drives inflammation… and inflammation drives disease.

Purity Matters More Than You Think

Marine oils can be contaminated with heavy metals or oxidized fats if they’re poorly made. Look for brands that use independent third-party testing for purity and follow strict European safety standards, which are more rigorous than the U.S.

A Smarter Way to Supplement

Instead of giving the same oil every day, rotate a few high-quality marine oils each month. This aligns with whole-food philosophy and increases the range of nutrients your dog gets.

Trusted options include:

• Standard Process VF Omega 3
• Standard Process Tuna Omega Oil
• Standard Process Calamari Oil
• Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet
• Carlson Norwegian Salmon Oil
• Krill Oil

• Microbiome Labs Mega Marine

If a brand isn’t on this list, ask the company:
“Do you run independent, third-party purity tests?”
If they hesitate, choose another product.

The Bottom Line

Dogs and cats need marine-based Omega-3s for lifelong health. They can’t make them. They can’t convert plant oils. And they absolutely benefit from getting them early – long before disease shows up.

The right oils support every cell in the body. The wrong ones (or none at all) push the system toward inflammation and chronic disease.