Omega-3 and omega-6

Omega-3 and omega-6 are the two families of essential fatty acids that dogs and cats cannot make from scratch and must receive from the diet. The omega-6 family, headed by linoleic acid, supports skin barrier function, coat quality and cell membranes; the omega-3 family, which includes the long-chain marine fats [EPA](/glossary/epa) and [DHA](/glossary/dha), is associated with controlling inflammation and with neural, retinal, joint and kidney health. What matters is not just the amount of each but the balance between them, often expressed as the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Modern diets, rich in cereal and poultry-fat omega-6, tend to skew high in omega-6, and many premium recipes deliberately add fish oil to bring the ratio down toward a more favourable range (NRC, 2006). A species difference is important here: cats, as obligate carnivores, cannot efficiently convert plant-based omega-6 into arachidonic acid, so they require a preformed animal source of it, which is one of the hallmarks of feline metabolism. On a label these fats appear through named oils such as fish oil, linseed and sunflower, and premium packs often quote omega-3 and omega-6 percentages. Because polyunsaturated fats oxidise readily, omega-rich foods need extra [vitamin E](/glossary/vitamin-e). See the [Petipedia glossary](/glossary).

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