Why I Choose Whole Food Omegas Over Fish Oil for Dogs

When it comes to supporting your dog’s health, omega-3 fatty acids are essential. They play a critical role in brain function, heart health, skin and coat vitality, and reducing inflammation. However, not all omega sources are created equal — and when it comes to choosing between fish oil and whole food omegas, I always choose whole foods. Here’s why.

The Problem with Fish Oil
Fish oil is heavily marketed as a “must-have” supplement for dogs, but beneath the surface, there are serious concerns:

• Oxidation: Fish oil is extremely prone to oxidation — a process where fats become rancid when exposed to heat, air, or light. Even high-quality fish oil can oxidize quickly once bottled, and rancid oils can do more harm than good, causing inflammation rather than reducing it.
• Contamination Risks: Many fish used for oil production come from polluted waters. Heavy metals, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and other toxins can accumulate in fish tissues, and even with purification processes, traces can remain.
• Sustainability Issues: Overfishing is a growing global problem. Mass harvesting of fish for oil contributes to the depletion of marine ecosystems, harming both wildlife and ocean health.
• Nutrient Imbalance: Fish oil is highly concentrated in EPA and DHA, two forms of omega-3. However, it often lacks the balance of other critical fatty acids that whole food sources naturally provide.


The Issue with Processing Fish Oil
One of the biggest problems with fish oil lies in how it’s processed.
Fish oil doesn’t come out of the fish ready to bottle — it must undergo several industrial steps including heating, chemical extraction, deodorizing, bleaching, and even molecular distillation to remove contaminants. These processes often expose the oil to high temperatures and chemical solvents, stripping away delicate nutrients and damaging the oil’s natural structure.
By the time fish oil reaches the shelf, it has been heavily altered from its original form. What was once a natural, nutrient-rich fat is now a processed, refined product that the body may not recognize or utilize as effectively.
Feeding a highly processed supplement goes against the philosophy of nourishing our dogs with real, whole foods — foods that the body instinctively knows how to use for healing, vitality, and balanced health.


Why Whole Food Omegas Are Superior
Instead of reaching for a processed bottle of fish oil, I choose whole food sources of omega-3s, such as:

• Fresh sardines or mackerel
• Green-lipped mussels
• Pasture-raised eggs
• Grass-fed beef (especially the heart and brain)
• Flaxseeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds (where appropriate for specific dogs)

Whole food sources offer bioavailable nutrients — meaning the body can recognize, absorb, and use them efficiently. They also provide a natural synergy of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that work together to nourish the body and protect against inflammation.
Whole foods are also less likely to oxidize quickly when properly handled, and they come wrapped in their natural, protective matrix — not sitting in a bottle for months on end.


A Species-Appropriate Approach
I focus on species-appropriate nutrition for dogs based on their ancestral diet. That means feeding foods that align with what dogs were designed to eat in the wild — not heavily processed, isolated oils.
Feeding whole food omegas respects the body's natural wisdom and provides the wide array of co-factors needed for true, vibrant health — not just isolated EPA and DHA numbers on a label.

In Closing
While fish oil might be convenient, it comes with significant risks that I believe are unnecessary when safer, more nourishing whole food options are available. Supporting your dog’s health isn’t about quick fixes — it’s about thoughtful, foundational choices that promote wellness from the inside out.
Whole foods first. Always.