Flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil, also called linseed oil, is a plant fat used as an omega-3 source in some foods, rich in alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, a plant-derived omega-3 fatty acid. This omega-3 argument drives its use, notably for skin and coat, but an important limit concerns the nature of that omega-3. ALA is a precursor the body must convert into long-chain omega-3, EPA and DHA, which are the most active forms, and dogs (and especially cats) convert ALA very poorly into EPA and DHA (NRC, 2006). The supply of genuinely useful omega-3 from flaxseed oil is therefore limited. For a targeted effect on skin, coat or inflammation, marine omega-3 sources such as [salmon and salmon oil](/glossary/salmon-salmon-oil), [herring](/glossary/herring) or [krill oil](/glossary/krill-oil), being more directly usable, are more reliable. Flaxseed oil still serves as a source of energy and ALA and provides a valued plant-based argument, but like any unsaturated oil it is sensitive to [oxidation](/glossary/rancidity-oxidation) and turns rancid easily, which calls for good storage (WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines). The marker: flaxseed oil supplies plant omega-3 but little usable EPA and DHA, which makes it a less effective source than marine oils for a targeted effect. It is a useful comparison point when reading skin-and-coat claims across the [Petipedia glossary](/glossary).

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