Omega-3 for Raw-Fed Dogs (and Why Vitamin E Matters with Fish Oil)

If you’re building a smart “essentials” plan, omega-3s are one of the most common raw dog supplements people add for skin, joints, and inflammation support. For the full stack overview, go back to the hub: raw dog supplements.

What Omega-3s Do for Raw-Fed Dogs

Omega-3s (especially EPA and DHA) are commonly used to support:

• Skin/coat and the skin’s moisture barrier (ALA supports skin barrier/coat health)
• Joints and inflammatory health (omega supplements are marketed for inflammatory support and joint health)
• Brain/central nervous system support and brain development (fish oil products are positioned for CNS/brain development support)

If your dog is a puppy or senior and you’re prioritizing brain/joint support, use the life-stage framework here: raw feeding supplements by life stage.

EPA/DHA vs ALA (Why Source Matters)

Not all “omega-3” is equal.

• ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is required in the diet and supports skin/coat health .
• Dogs can convert ALA into EPA and DHA, but the conversion is typically too limited to deliver meaningful EPA/DHA benefits .

That’s why most “therapeutic-style” omega support focuses on EPA DHA for dogs from marine sources (fish or algae), not just plant ALA.

If you’re considering plant-based oils: be cautious—one pet brand notes that raw/unprocessed flaxseed or flax meal can cause toxicity in pets (they recommend avoiding feeding it whole/raw/unprocessed) .

Fish Oil vs Krill vs Whole Fish

You’ll generally see three routes for omega 3 for raw fed dogs:

• Fish oil supplements (most common)
  • Pros: convenient dosing, easy to standardize.
  • Watch-outs: quality varies; supplements aren’t regulated like drugs/food in the U.S. (FDA oversight is different) .
• Krill oil
  • Often marketed as “premium,” but still needs freshness/quality checks like any marine oil.
• Whole fish (food)
  • Pros: “whole-food” approach; can help diversify nutrients.
  • Watch-outs: choose species wisely and feed in moderation—guidance commonly mentions fish like mackerel or herring as good sources but “best fed in moderation” .

No matter which you choose, introduce omega sources gradually to reduce digestive upset risk .

The Vitamin E Connection (Oxidation & Balance)

This is the part most people miss: long-term fish oil use may affect vitamin E status.

• The AKC notes that using fish oil long-term may deplete vitamin E, so some dogs may ultimately require vitamin E supplementation too .
• Practical feeding guidance also emphasizes: “Balance with vitamin E” because omega-3s can deplete it, and many quality supplements include vitamin E already .
• Some fish oil brands explicitly include Vitamin E and describe it as essential when adding omega-3s to your dog’s diet .

So if you’re using fish oil for raw diet dogs, either:

• pick an omega-3 product that already includes vitamin E, or
• plan vitamin E intentionally (rather than guessing or stacking multiple products).

How to Choose a Quality Omega-3 Supplement

When you’re in “commercial investigation” mode, prioritize verifiable quality signals.

Key checks:

• Third-party certification/testing: Example: a raw supplier product highlights IFOS certification (International Fish Oil Standards) as meeting high standards .
• Clear EPA/DHA amounts: You want to see the actual EPA + DHA numbers, not just “fish oil X mg.”
• Source transparency: Look for “no mystery fish” sourcing and clean formulas (some brands emphasize named fish species and no fillers) .
• Freshness and packaging: Marine oils oxidize—choose packaging that protects from light/air and has reasonable expiration/batch info.

Reminder: because dietary supplements are not regulated like food/medicines in the U.S., quality diligence matters .

Dosing Basics + Common Mistakes

I’m not going to give a one-size-fits-all dose here (it depends on your dog, the exact EPA/DHA concentration, and your diet), but you can avoid the most common mistakes with this framework:

• Dose by EPA+DHA, not by “oil volume.” Two products can both say “1 tsp” but have very different EPA/DHA potency.
• Start low and increase gradually to reduce the chance of digestive upset .
• Account for calories. Oils add calories; “more” can backfire if your dog gains weight or gets loose stool.

If omega-3s cause loose stool, don’t just quit—adjust and troubleshoot:

• reduce dose, slow the ramp-up
• consider adding gut support during transitions

Helpful next read: probiotics, fiber & digestive support for raw feeding.

When to Avoid or Ask Your Vet

Talk to your vet before starting or significantly increasing omega-3s if your dog:

• has a history of significant GI disease or fat-sensitive digestion (because oils can trigger GI upset; go slow)
• is on medications or has complex health conditions (supplement interactions and dosing should be individualized)

If you want the “what matters most by age” view (puppies vs seniors), see: raw feeding supplements by life stage.

Internal links (cluster navigation)

• Back to the main guide: raw dog supplements
• If oils upset digestion: gut support supplements for raw-fed dogs
• For puppies/seniors and goal-based stacks: raw diet supplements by life stage