Optional Supplements
Omega-3 for Dogs
Why, When, and How to Dose
Omega-3 fatty acids are critical to your dog’s overall health. They support healthy skin, joints, brain, and immune function—and they play a powerful role in reducing inflammation.
The most important omega-3s for dogs are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)—both found in marine sources like fish, krill, green-lipped mussels, and phytoplankton.
Dogs cannot make these fats on their own and cannot efficiently convert plant-based omega-3s (like flax or chia) into usable forms. If you are feeding lost of fresh oily fish with it’s skin, then you may require less supplementation. But you would have a hard time reaching the upper amounts suggested for chronic illness without supplementation. Evaluate the diet as a whole.
Why Omega-3s Matter
Most dogs benefit from omega-3 supplementation—especially if they eat kibble or even fresh food made with conventionally raised meat.
Omega-3s support:
Skin and coat health
Joint and mobility comfort
Brain and cognitive function (especially in seniors and puppies)
Immune balance
Inflammation control
Management of allergies, autoimmune conditions, cancer, and seizures
Dosing Omega-3 by Body Weight
Always calculate based on the combined EPA + DHA content, not the total oil amount in a capsule or pump.
Use this general guide based on milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day:
Maintenance / General Wellness
50–100 mg per kg of body weight daily
Allergies / Skin Inflammation / Arthritis
150 mg per kg daily
Chronic Disease / Autoimmune / Neurological Support
200 mg per kg daily
Cancer / Seizure Management
Up to 300 mg per kg daily
Choosing an Omega-3 Product
Look for:
Clearly labeled EPA + DHA per dose
From wild-caught small fish (like anchovy, sardine)
Third-party tested for purity
Glass packaging (not plastic) to protect against oxidation
No synthetic additives or preservatives
Krill oil, green-lipped mussel, or phytoplankton can be excellent choices depending on your dog’s needs and tolerances.
How to Feed It
Add to food daily (once or divided)
Use a dropper, pump, or capsule depending on the product
Store in the fridge
Rotate sources every few months
If your dog is on a low-fat diet, consider low-fat omega-3 sources like phytoplankton.
Caution: Omega-3s can thin the blood. Use caution before surgery or if your dog is taking blood-thinning medications.
What That Looks Like in Real Life
Doses are based on combined EPA + DHA, calculated in milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg/day). Use the dog’s weight in kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 lbs) to find the right range.
Maintenance / General Wellness
50–100 mg/kg/day
10 lb dog → 225–450 mg per day
25 lb dog → 565–1,130 mg per day
50 lb dog → 1,130–2,260 mg per day
75 lb dog → 1,700–3,400 mg per day
100 lb dog → 2,260–4,520 mg per day
Allergies / Skin Inflammation / Arthritis
150 mg/kg/day
10 lb dog → ~675 mg per day
25 lb dog → ~1,700 mg per day
50 lb dog → ~3,400 mg per day
75 lb dog → ~5,100 mg per day
100 lb dog → ~6,800 mg per day
Chronic Disease / Autoimmune / Neurological Support
200 mg/kg/day
10 lb dog → ~900 mg per day
25 lb dog → ~2,260 mg per day
50 lb dog → ~4,520 mg per day
75 lb dog → ~6,780 mg per day
100 lb dog → ~9,040 mg per day
Cancer / Seizure Management
Up to 300 mg/kg/day
10 lb dog → up to 1,350 mg per day
25 lb dog → up to 3,390 mg per day
50 lb dog → up to 6,780 mg per day
75 lb dog → up to 10,170 mg per day
100 lb dog → up to 13,560 mg per day
💡 Start on the lower end of the target range and increase slowly. Watch for soft stool—this often means you’ve gone too high or too fast.
Each dog is individual — dosing is ultimately individual.