Salmon and salmon oil

Salmon is a source of animal protein and fat used in many premium foods, valued mainly for its content of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which support skin and coat health and contribute to cognitive and joint function according to veterinary literature. Salmon oil is a supplement or added ingredient used to enrich a food with EPA and DHA, and its quality depends on freshness, protection against [oxidation](/glossary/rancidity-oxidation) and the actual dose delivered, since poorly stored oil turns rancid and loses its benefit (WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines). A point worth checking: the word salmon on a pack does not guarantee a meaningful amount of omega-3, so where stated the EPA and DHA levels should be read, because some products list salmon first yet supply little useful fatty acid (NRC, 2006). Marine omega-3 is more directly usable than plant omega-3, such as ALA from [flaxseed oil](/glossary/flaxseed-oil), which dogs and cats convert poorly into EPA and DHA. The marker: diets formulated for skin or joints often show a lowered omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, a useful signal when comparing recipes. It sits alongside [herring](/glossary/herring) and [krill oil](/glossary/krill-oil) as a reliable marine omega-3 source, balancing omega-6-heavy fats such as [sunflower oil](/glossary/sunflower-oil) in the [Petipedia glossary](/glossary).

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