What and how much omega-3 fatty acids are in pet foods?
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
