by George B Josef, Global Director of Business Development – Nutritional Lipids & Alternative Proteins, dsm-firmenich, US
In the world of pet nutrition, omega-3 fatty acids stand out as a well-known, science-backed essential for lifelong pet health. But their sources are under new scrutiny. Fish oil—once the default choice—faces increasing sustainability challenges and supply volatility.
Plant-based alternatives like flaxseed oil may appeal to environmentally conscious pet parents, yet they can’t deliver the same benefits. So, how can we create omega-3 solutions that are highly concentrated, bioavailable and sustainable? The answer lies in algal innovation.
Why dietary omega-3s matter?
In the first place, cats and dogs need to consume omega-3 fatty acids as part of their diets as they cannot synthesise these nutrients at high enough levels themselves. These dietary omega-3s play a vital role in various aspects of pet health and well-being, from skin and coat to joint and cognitive health. But not all omega-3s are equal. The most biologically active omega-3s—eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—are fatty acids that can be directly used by the body to perform these essential functions.
DHA is essential for normal brain development and cognitive function, improving cognitive function in older dogs while supporting proper brain and eye development in puppies. It also supports retinal health and visual development in puppies and kittens. Both EPA and DHA play vital roles in modulating inflammation to support long-term cardiovascular health.
By targeting inflammation, these omega-3s also address skin allergies, joint problems and age-related conditions—top health concerns among pet parents. Plus, EPA and DHA help maintain skin hydration and promote a healthy, shiny coat, while supporting joint and cartilage health for mobility and better quality of life.
On the other hand, plant-based omega-3s, like alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), must first undergo enzymatic conversion before an animal’s body can tap into the same health benefits. However, a conversion efficiency rate of five to seven percent in dogs suggests it may take six or seven times more ALA to match the nutritional value of direct EPA and DHA supplementation. What’s more, cats lack the key enzyme necessary for omega-6 and omega-3 conversion altogether. All this suggests that plant-based omega-3s like ALA may not be our best bet for reliably supporting animal health.
Therefore, for formulators who aim to deliver truly impactful health benefits, EPA and DHA remain the gold standard in fatty acid fortification. Direct, ready-to-use forms of EPA and DHA ensure optimal bioavailability and consistent efficacy across life stages. Formulators seeking true functionality over mere label appeal will find that this difference offers a critical edge.
Rewriting the sustainability story
The need for omega-3-fortified pet food is clear. Just a small daily dose of omega-3 oils rich in EPA and DHA can support a lifetime of health for companion animals. And while fish oil and meal have traditionally been used to source EPA and DHA omega-3s, a backdrop of climate change, overfishing and fish supply challenges have put this sourcing practice under the spotlight for pet owners and pet food manufacturers alike.
Unlike plant-based omega-3s, marine oils provide preformed, bioavailable EPA and DHA that directly deliver health benefits. But with one in three wild fish populations being overfished or harvested beyond sustainable limits, conventional marine ingredients face major supply constraints.
Climate variability compounds these challenges. Warmer oceans and more frequent El Niño events have caused unpredictable fluctuations in fish populations—and consequently fish oil supply and pricing. Global fish oil supply has declined by more than a third, dropping from 1.6 million metric tonnes in 1986 to one million metric tonnes in 2023. Thankfully, algae-based solutions are setting new benchmarks for both animal health and sustainability.
Algae-derived omega-3s make it possible to avoid both the metabolic limitations of plant sources and the sustainability challenges of fish oils. Produced through land-based fermentation, algal sources don’t impact our marine ecosystems and are free from ocean-borne contaminants. Cultivation in controlled environments also delivers batch-to-batch consistency while eliminating seasonality concerns seen in marine fisheries.
But the true differentiator lies in concentration and performance. Algal sources make it possible to achieve the highest concentrations of DHA and EPA omega-3s available in the pet food market. This exceptional potency allows for lower inclusion rates, greater formulation flexibility and superior stability—all while ensuring that pets receive the full spectrum of benefits that only EPA and DHA can provide.
Good for pets, good for the planet
After all, we’ve reached a point where sustainability and performance can no longer be viewed as trade-offs. While nutritional efficacy drives formulation decisions, sustainability considerations increasingly influence consumer purchasing behaviour. Nearly 70 percent of pet owners express concern about climate change and actively seek ways to make a positive impact on the environment through their everyday actions. Notably, pet owners are even more concerned about sustainability than non-pet owners.
This translates into significant product differentiation opportunities for pet food brands. Algal omega-3s help unlock desirable on-pack claims such as ‘sustainably sourced,’ ‘non-GMO’ or ‘naturally derived’. Adding algae-derived omega-3s to pet food brands also yields significant improvements in brand perception, as 73 percent of consumers were more likely to buy a brand that uses algal omega-3s. Consumers see these brands as more sustainable, innovative and scientifically credible.
This approach not only meets growing consumer expectations for transparency but also helps brands meet sustainability targets without sacrificing performance. In fact, each tonne of algae-sourced oil can replace the oil from up to 60 tonnes of wild-caught fish—a powerful example of how biotechnology can transform the industry’s environmental footprint.
Ultimately, today’s pet parents are looking for proof, not promises. They want ingredients that are not only natural and sustainable, but also clinically validated. Indeed, formulators today can deliver the best of both worlds, uniting the nutritional advantages of marine omega-3s with the environmental benefits of fish-free sources. In a marketplace where omega-3 solutions are everywhere, brands can stand out by looking beyond mere ingredients to championing a future where pet health, science and sustainability are perfectly aligned.
Discover algal ingredients of the future
From supporting heart and joint health to promoting a shiny coat and cognitive resilience, Veramaris Pets and DHAgold offer scientifically validated, premium solutions that align with both pet owners’ expectations and brands’ sustainability goals. These solutions contribute to healthier oceans by reducing the industry’s reliance on fish stocks, while offering a reliable and fully traceable supply chain from fermentation to finished oil.
DHAgold is made from fermented algae that is carefully dried to preserve its natural nutritional content, this powder ingredient has been scientifically proven to support brain health in senior dogs, with a group of eight- to eleven-year-old dogs displaying significantly improved visual and memory performance after a six-month feed program containing the product.
Meanwhile, Veramaris Pets takes EPA and DHA potency to unparalleled heights, containing 60 percent EPA and DHA—the highest concentration available on the market for pet applications. This market-leading concentration allows brands to deliver clinically relevant doses while preserving formulation flexibility, and sustainability positioning that appeals to discerning pet parents.
With these leading algal omega-3 solutions, the pet food industry supports healthier pets and happier pet parents who no longer need to choose between nutritional value and sustainability.
