Omega-3s for Pets Explained: What to Look For, Featuring Puainta’s Salmon & Krill Oil

Disclosure: This article is sponsored by Puainta. Veterinary guidance reflects current veterinary best practices and professional judgment.

When your dog’s coat starts looking a little dull or their skin feels dry, fish oil may help support comfort from the inside out. Marine omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, are healthy fats that pets cannot synthesize well on their own. Adding a high quality fish oil, with guidance from your veterinarian, can help support skin health, coat appearance, and overall wellness.

Below is a simple, vet-led guide to how omega-3s work, how to shop for a trustworthy product, and where Puainta’s Krill & Salmon Oil blend fits into that picture.

​What Omega-3 Fatty Acids Do for Pets

Omega-3s are healthy fats that help keep cell membranes flexible. Fish and marine algae are the best sources because they contain the two omega-3s pets actually use:

• EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid, which supports everyday skin and joint comfort
• DHA, docosahexaenoic acid, which supports cell membranes, eyes, and the nervous system

Pets get plenty of omega-6s from typical diets, but omega-3s tend to be lower. Balancing the two helps support skin, coat, and overall well-being.

• Why are they called omega-3? It is a chemistry name that tells us how the fat molecule is shaped. You do not need the math. Omega-3s are like the lotion and polish for your pet’s cells. Less squeak, more smooth.
• Where omega-3s come from: Fish and marine algae are the best sources. Plants like flax and chia have a different fat called ALA that pets do not turn into EPA and DHA very well.
• Why pets need omega-3s: Their bodies do not make enough omega 3s on their own. A good dog food or a quality supplement fills the gap.
• What omega-3s do: Help skin look shiny, help coats feel soft, help joints feel comfortable, and support many tiny jobs inside cells.

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Takeaway: When shopping, he most important numbers to check are the milligrams of EPA + DHA per serving. These represent the active omega-3s your pet’s body can use. Many products highlight “total omega-3,” but that number includes fats that are not as beneficial for pets. You are buying EPA and DHA, not a vibe. Compare milligrams, not marketing.

Omega-6: omega-3 ratio, what does that even mean?

Your pet’s food contains different fats. Two families matter here, omega-6 and omega-3.

• Omega-6 fats are common in many pet foods because they come from ingredients like poultry fat and plant oils. Think of them as the “go” signal. They help the body kick off normal responses, like building new skin and reacting to everyday wear and tear.
• Omega-3 fats are less common in many diets. They come from marine sources. Think of them as the “steady” signal. They help the body finish those responses smoothly and keep cell membranes flexible. Omega 6 starts the job. Omega 3 helps finish it well. Your pet needs both, in balance.

Takeaway: The ratio is simply how much omega-6 your pet eats compared to omega- 3. Many pets get plenty of omega-6 from regular food. Adding a quality fish oil increases omega-3 in your dog's diet, which helps bring the ratio into a friendlier balance for skin, coat, and overall comfort.

Why Ingredient Sources Matter for Omega-3s

Not all omega-3 sources are the same. Marine oils offer EPA and DHA directly, which is better for dogs and cats.
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Here’s how the common sources compare:

• Salmon and anchovy oil are widely used and provides EPA and DHA in a flavor many dogs enjoy.
• Krill oil contains EPA and DHA in a phospholipid form, which mixes easily with food and often has a pet-friendly taste.
• Algal oil contains DHA and is a good alternative for fish-sensitive pets.
• Flax or chia (ALA) are plant sources that pets convert poorly into EPA and DHA.

For most dogs and cats, marine oils (salmon, anchovy, and krill) offer the most direct path to getting useful omega-3s.

Takeaway: For EPA and DHA, marine sources work best.

How to pick a fish oil without overthinking it

Use this five step checklist when shopping for a fish oil:Verify the source.

✅ Look for named fish, such as anchovy, salmon, or krill, and harvesting regions. 
✅ Look for proof of purity and ingredient content analysis. A current Certificate of Analysis shows heavy metal and contaminant screening by lot. This is either available on the website. If not, call the company's customer care line. 
✅ Compare real numbers. Choose by mg of EPA + DHA per serving, not just total omega-3. 
✅ Match the form to your pet. Liquid for easy measuring. Soft chews for picky pets. 
✅Protect freshness. Dark or opaque bottle, tight cap, cool storage. If it smells strongly rancid, skip it.  

​Takeaway: Source, proof, numbers, form, freshness. If a brand checks these boxes, you are in business.

Serving Fish Oil Safely

Follow the product label for your pet’s weight and the concentration of EPA and DHA. If your pet is new to fish oil, start with half the serving size for a few days, then move to full. For medically complex pets or those already on medication, ask your veterinarian for personalized guidance. It's always good to check with your vet before you start any new supplement with your pet. 

Takeaway: Label first, vet for specifics, go slow at the start.

Most healthy pets do well with fish oil when used as directed, but here are a couple of tips:

• Tummy: Starting fish oil too fast an sometimes upset a tummy. Start with a half-serving size for a couple of days to reduce soft stools.
• Calories: Oils are high in calories - make sure to include the calories in your pet's total daily count. 
• Allergies: Rare, but watch for itching, diarrhea, or nausea. Stop giving fish oil and consult with you vet if you see any of those signs.
• Medications and procedures: Check with your vet before giving fish oil if your pet is already on medication or has surgery planned.
• Storage: Keep sealed, cool, and out of light. Respect expiration dates.

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Takeaway: Simple habits keep fish oil safe and effective.

Vet Review: ​Puianta Krill & Salmon Oil

Puainta’s formula brings together two marine sources that naturally provide EPA and DHA: wild-caught Alaskan salmon oil and Antarctic krill oil. Together, they create a blend designed for everyday omega-3 support.

Two ingredient features stand out:

✅️ Naturally high omega-3 concentration
Puainta’s blend contains 25% total omega-3 fatty acids, which is a fairly high concentration for a liquid fish oil. A higher percentage of omega-3s means more of what you are shopping for in each serving.

✅️ Dual-source marine oils
Using both salmon and krill offers complementary benefits. Salmon contributes EPA and DHA in a familiar fish oil format, while krill provides the same omega-3s in a phospholipid form that mixes well with food. Many pets also enjoy the flavor.

These two points, concentration and source, are helpful when comparing fish oils in general. They are also two of the clearest reasons pet parents choose Puainta’s Salmon and Krill Oil.

Puainta also offers a straightforward value price with a posted 30 day money back guarantee, third party tests their products for purity and ingredient content. 

For pet parents looking for a fish oil that focuses on skin, coat, and overall wellness for their pet, Puainta’s blend checks the boxes I look for in an everyday supplement. As always, ask the company for their most recent Certificate of Analysis if you’d like to see testing values such as oxidation scores or EPA + DHA milligrams per serving.

Shop Puainta Krill & Salmon Oil

Use code DRSARAH10 at checkout to save 10%.
​Sponsored link.

To your pet's health,

​Dr. Sarah

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​FAQ

Can one fish oil product work for both dogs and cats?
Yes, but follow a product labeled for cats or use species specific directions. Cats are not small dogs. Serving size differs for cats vs. dogs, and flavor acceptance matters.
How long until I notice changes?
Many pet parents see skin and coat changes within a few weeks of daily use. Timing varies by pet.
Can I add fish oil to a complete diet?
Yes. Many complete diets can be complemented with omega-3s. Follow the label for serving size and keep an eye on total calories.
How do I store fish oil?
Keep the cap tight, store in a cool and dark place. Do not leave it open on the counter. Check dates. If it smells strongly rancid, do not use it.
What if my pet refuses the taste
Mix with food, split the serving size, or try a different form. If refusal continues, ask your veterinarian about algal oil as an alternative.

References:

• National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. National Academies Press, 2006.
• Roush JK et al. Evaluation of diets enriched with omega 3 fatty acids for dogs with osteoarthritis. JAVMA. 2010.
• Bauer JE. Therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals. JAVMA. 2011.
• Lenox CE, Bauer JE. Potential adverse effects of omega 3 fatty acids in dogs and cats. JAVMA. 2013.
• GOED Monograph and quality guidelines for omega 3 oils, commonly referenced for contaminant limits.
• AOAC and USP methods that inform best practices for identity and purity testing of oils.