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Accepted manuscript

Exploring the efficacy and optimal dosages of omega-3 supplementation for companion animals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 June 2025

Thiago H. A. Vendramini*
Affiliation:
Pet Nutrology Research Center, Department of Animal Nutrition and Production of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-900, Brazil Veterinary Nutrology Service, Teaching Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
Pedro H. Marchi
Affiliation:
Pet Nutrology Research Center, Department of Animal Nutrition and Production of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-900, Brazil
Rodrigo F. G. Olivindo
Affiliation:
Veterinary Nutrology Service, Teaching Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
Vivian Pedrinelli
Affiliation:
Veterinary Nutrology Service, Teaching Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
Andressa R. Amaral
Affiliation:
Veterinary Nutrology Service, Teaching Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
Mariana S. de Miranda
Affiliation:
Pet Nutrology Research Center, Department of Animal Nutrition and Production of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-900, Brazil
Leonardo A. Príncipe
Affiliation:
Pet Nutrology Research Center, Department of Animal Nutrition and Production of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-900, Brazil
Cinthia G. L. Cesar
Affiliation:
Pet Nutrology Research Center, Department of Animal Nutrition and Production of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-900, Brazil
Rafael V. A. Zafalon
Affiliation:
Pet Nutrology Research Center, Department of Animal Nutrition and Production of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-900, Brazil
Mariana P. Perini
Affiliation:
Pet Nutrology Research Center, Department of Animal Nutrition and Production of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-900, Brazil
Laís O. C. Lima
Affiliation:
Veterinary Nutrology Service, Teaching Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
Júlio C. C. Balieiro
Affiliation:
Pet Nutrology Research Center, Department of Animal Nutrition and Production of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Ave. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-900, Brazil
Marcio A. Brunetto
Affiliation:
Deceased
*
*Correspondence: Thiago H. A. Vendramini, thiago.vendramini@usp.br

Abstract

This review summarizes findings from studies in companion animals with chronic diseases receiving omega-3 supplementation. Investigated conditions included dermatopathies (dogs n=7), osteoarthritis (dogs n=7, cats n=2), cardiovascular diseases (dogs n=7), dyslipidaemias (dogs n=1), gastroenteropathies (dogs n=2), chronic kidney disease (dogs n=2, cats n=3), cognitive impairment (dogs n=4, cats n=1), and behavioural disorders (dogs n=3). When possible, dosages were standardized to mg/kg using available data on food intake and EPA/DHA concentrations. The minimum and maximum ranges of EPA and DHA, along with their ratios, were as follows: for dermatology 0.99–43 mg/kg EPA and 0.66–30 mg/kg DHA (ratio 1.4–3.4); for osteoarthritis 48–100 mg/kg EPA and 20–32 mg/kg DHA (ratio 1.5–3.4); cardiology 27–54.2 mg/kg EPA and 18–40.6 mg/kg DHA (ratio 1.3–1.5); dyslipidaemia 58.8 mg/kg EPA and 45.4 mg/kg DHA (ratio 1.3); cognition (1/5 studies) 225 mg/kg EPA and 90 mg/kg DHA (ratio 2.5); behaviour (1/3) 31 mg/kg EPA and 45 mg/kg DHA (ratio 0.7). Nephrology and oncology studies lacked sufficient data for calculation. Gastrointestinal diseases do not appear to benefit from omega-3 supplementation, likely due to inflammation-related malabsorption, although few adverse effects were reported in dogs. Other enteropathy studies were low-quality (case reports/series). The lowest omega-6/omega-3 ratio with anti-inflammatory effect was 1:3.75; the highest was 5.5:1. In conclusion, the reviewed EPA and DHA doses appear effective for atopic dermatitis, osteoarthritis, cardiac disease, hyperlipidaemia, and cognitive and behavioural disorders. Further research is needed to clarify efficacy in gastrointestinal and oncological conditions.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

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