Krill, tiny marine crustaceans, provide omega-3 fatty acids for pet foods in a different form than omega-3s in conventional fish sources. That chemical difference may improve the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids from krill in dog foods.

“Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are beneficial to canine diets, but the source of the omega-3s can impact uptake into cell membranes,” said study co-author Lena Burri, Ph.D., director of animal nutrition and health research and development for Aker Biomarine, a krill-based pet food ingredient producer. “The key differentiator between the two marine-sourced dietary supplements is that the majority of krill-derived omega-3s are bound to phospholipids, while omega-3s from fish oil are bound to triglycerides.”

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Burri and other researchers working for Aker Biomarine conducted an experiment using twenty Alaskan Huskies to test the efficacy of krill-based pet food ingredients. One group of ten dogs ate an extruded kibble diet supplemented with 1.7 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from krill meal for six weeks. The omega-3 fatty acids included both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Another ten dogs ate the same diet supplemented with 1.7 grams of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil. EPA levels increased in the krill meal group from 1.84% to 4.42% compared to the fish oil group, which increased from 1.90% to 2.46%. Overall, the group of dogs eating krill-based ingredients increased their omega-3 index from 3.9% at to 6.3%. The fish-based omega-3 fatty acid group increased from 3.9% to 4.7%.

Companion animal researchers have found evidence of omega-3 fatty acids helping with skin and coat conditions. Omega-3 fatty acids may support the immune system to prevent disease, while reducing heart and kidney failure. In early life, omega-3 fatty acids help nervous system development. At the other end of life, the chemicals may mitigate aging’s effects on cognition and other systems.