Pet Food Ingredient
Flaxseed Oil
Plant-source omega-3 oil — provides alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which dogs convert to the active EPA and DHA forms at low efficiency (~5-10%).
Also labelled as
linseed oilflax oil
Regulatory status
AAFCO fats and oils category.
Key notes
- —Not a good substitute for fish oil on a bioavailability basis. Dogs convert ALA to EPA/DHA inefficiently; to match fish oil's anti-inflammatory effect, flaxseed oil needs to be dosed 5-10× higher.
- —Useful as a secondary omega-3 source but not a primary one for dogs with skin or joint issues.
Common alternatives
Is this ingredient in your pet's food?
Scan the label. If it contains flaxseed oil or any of the alternative names above, the scanner will flag it against your pet's allergen profile.
Scan a label →This entry is factual reference. It is not medical or veterinary advice. Consult a veterinarian for any decisions about your pet's diet.