Raw Feeding 101

EPA and DHA are the two omega-3 fatty acids your dog's body uses most directly.
Both play a role in inflammation regulation, brain function, coat and skin health, and eye health. NRC guidelines treat them as a combined target for this reason.

ALA, the omega-3 found in plant sources like flaxseed and chia, does convert to EPA and DHA in the body, though only in limited amounts. Fatty fish and fish oil deliver them directly.

Where it comes from in a raw diet
Fatty fish carry the load here. The numbers per 100g from USDA FoodData Central:

Atlantic salmon (raw): 2.15g EPA/DHA
Mackerel, Atlantic (raw): 2.30g EPA/DHA
Herring, Atlantic (raw): 1.58g EPA/DHA

Muscle meat from land animals contributes very little. A rotation without regular fatty fish is unlikely to be covering this well.

Here's a useful reference point
A dog with a 1000 kcal daily target needs a minimum of 0.11g of combined EPA and DHA. The safe upper limit is 2.8g. The gap between the two is wide, but consistently staying near or above the upper limit over time is worth paying attention to, particularly with concentrated fish oil supplements.

Whole fish vs fish oil
Both deliver EPA and DHA effectively. Fish oil is what we include in our meal plans for straightforward balancing, it's consistent, easy to dose, and works.

Whole fish brings EPA and DHA alongside naturally occurring Vitamin E, which is a nice bonus. But either way, you're covering the omega-3 requirement.

How are you covering omega-3 in your rotation? Drop it below.