Gourmet Goose

For Raw and Cooked feeding

Great question — and it’s super important! You need to add omega fatty acids, especially omega-3s, to your homemade dog food because most DIY diets (even raw or fresh-cooked ones) are unbalanced in fats, particularly in the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.

Here’s why it matters and what’s going on:

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Why Your Dog Needs Omega Fatty Acids

Dogs need both:

• Omega-6 fatty acids (like linoleic acid) for skin health, immune function, and cellular repair.
• Omega-3 fatty acids (like EPA, DHA, and ALA) for:
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Joint health
  • Brain and eye development
  • Skin and coat condition
  • Heart health

But balance is key. And you need to pair the right omega with the right foods.

How do I know what Omegas to use?

White meats (like chicken, turkey, and some fish) and red meats (like beef, lamb, and venison) have different fat profiles, which affects the balance of omega fatty acids in a dog’s diet. Here’s the lowdown:

1. Lower Omega-3 Content in White Meats

• White meats are typically leaner and contain less omega-3 fatty acids compared to red meats.
• Poultry, in particular, tends to be higher in omega-6 fatty acids, which, in excess, can contribute to chronic inflammation, joint issues, and skin problems if not balanced with enough omega-3s.

2. Red Meats Have a More Balanced Omega Profile

• Red meats (especially grass-fed beef and wild game) naturally contain higher levels of omega-3s, reducing the need for additional omega-3 supplementation.
• However, red-meat-heavy homemade dog diet often doesn’t provide enough Linoleic Acid, which is an essential omega-6 fatty acid that dogs cannot produce on their own.

But, what if I feed a mix of red and white meat?

If you mix red and white meats in your dog’s diet, you still need to balance omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but the extent depends on the ratio of red to white meat.

• If the diet is mostly white meat, you need more omega-3 supplementation because white meat is high in omega-6 and low in omega-3.
• If the diet is mostly red meat, you may need less omega-3 supplementation since grass-fed red meats contain more natural omega-3s than white meats.

Either way, white meat has more omega-6 than red meat has the required omega-3, so I would use the omega supplement suggested for white meat, but perhaps only half the amount.

Want help building a balanced homemade meal plan with the right omega sources? The Dog Parent’s Guide to Home Cooking has done all this research for you and has all the information, not just on the right omega sources and the amounts you need to feed, but also addresses all the other aspects of feeding your dog a proper homemade diet.

References

✅ 1. THE DOG PARENT’S GUIDE TO HOME COOKING (2025)

Introduction to healthy fats, oils, and seeds for dogs

✅ 2. National Research Council (NRC) – “Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats” (2006)

“The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the diet is important, especially for inflammatory response, immune system function, and coat quality. Excessive omega-6 without omega-3 can lead to pro-inflammatory effects.”
📚 Reference: Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats – NRC, 2006
(Chapter 10: Fat and Fatty Acids)

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✅ 3. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

“Home-prepared diets, even when carefully made, can be low in important fatty acids like EPA and DHA… including fish or marine oils is essential for anti-inflammatory benefits and skin/coat health.”
📚 Source: Tufts Vet Nutrition – Ask the Nutritionist: Homemade Diets

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✅ 4. American Kennel Club (AKC) – “Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Dogs”

“Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, support brain development in puppies, and improve coat and skin. Since dogs cannot efficiently convert plant-based ALA to EPA and DHA, marine sources are necessary.”
📚 Source: AKC: Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Dogs

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✅ 5. VCA Animal Hospitals – “Essential Fatty Acids in Dogs”

“Dogs require linoleic acid (omega-6), but their diets also need omega-3 fatty acids to balance inflammatory responses. Homemade diets often miss this crucial balance unless marine sources are added.”
📚 Source: VCA Hospitals – Fatty Acids for Dogs

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✅ 6. PetDiets.com (Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists)

“Fish oil or other omega-3 sources are often recommended in home-prepared diets to ensure proper fatty acid balance. Without it, chronic inflammation and skin issues are common.”
📚 Source: PetDiets.com, run by DACVNs (Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition)

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✅ 7. Dr. Lisa Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN (Tufts University)

“Most dogs benefit from EPA and DHA in their diets. Homemade meals typically lack these nutrients unless fish is regularly included.”
📚 Reference: Freeman, L. M. (2008). “Nutritional Modulation of Cardiac Disease.” Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice.