DHA

DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is a long-chain [omega-3](/glossary/omega-3-omega-6) fatty acid that is especially important for the development of the brain, nervous system and retina in young animals. It is a major structural fat of neural and retinal tissue, which is why it features so prominently in nutrition for pregnant and nursing mothers and for puppies and kittens: DHA supplied through the mother's milk or an early-life diet has been associated with better trainability and visual function in puppies (NRC, 2006). DHA is found chiefly in marine sources, above all oily fish and fish oil, and to a lesser extent in algae, which is the basis for the rare algal sources used in some diets. Dogs and cats can in theory make small amounts of DHA from the plant-derived precursor alpha-linolenic acid, but this conversion is inefficient, and in cats it is particularly limited, so a direct dietary source is the reliable route. DHA usually travels with its partner [EPA](/glossary/epa), and the two are often reported together on premium labels as a combined omega-3 figure or named individually among the ingredients via fish oil. Because these fats oxidise readily, foods rich in DHA need extra [vitamin E](/glossary/vitamin-e) to stay stable. See the [Petipedia glossary](/glossary) for related fatty acids.

Petipedia · Editorial team

General documentary information. For an individual animal, a veterinarian's advice takes precedence over any online content.