Bernie's Best > University > Food Components > Flaxseed Oil
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Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is a plant-based oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly ALA.
Last Reviewed Date: 01/02/2026
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Contents

Overview

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Food Family

Food Meta: Plants

Food Type: Seeds/ Nuts
Food: Flaxseed

Food Component: Flaxseed Oil

Food Meta: Plants

Food Type: Seeds/ Nuts

Food: Flaxseed

Food Component: Flaxseed Oil

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Nutrients

Info Nutrients Found in Flaxseed Oil
Image & Title At a Glance
ALA (Alpha-linolenic Acid) ALA (Alpha-linolenic Acid) Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found primarily in plant foods such as flaxseed, chia seed, hemp seed, and certain vegetable oils. It belongs to the same family of fats as EPA and DHA, but serves a different role in canine nutrition. Dogs can convert some ALA into EPA and DHA, though the process is relatively inefficient. As a result, ALA is best understood as a plant-derived omega-3 rather than a major direct source of the long-chain omega-3s most commonly associated with canine health.
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General Health Topics

Info Health Topics related to Flaxseed Oil
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Health Conditions

Info Health conditions related to Flaxseed Oil
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Follow the Research

Info Studies providing deeper insight into Flaxseed Oil
Title Information
Potential Adverse Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dogs and Cats

At a Glance

This 2013 review looks at the possible risks of omega-3 fatty acids in dogs and cats, especially EPA and DHA from fish oil. While omega-3s are commonly used to support skin, joint, heart, and kidney health, the authors explain that high amounts can sometimes cause issues like GI upset, changes in clotting, oxidative stress, immune shifts, or slower wound healing. The paper also stresses that plant-based ALA is not the same as EPA and DHA, so the source of omega-3s matters when considering both benefits and risks.

Connecting the Dots
  • The review describes flaxseed oil as a concentrated ALA source used in several studies comparing plant versus marine omega-3s.
  • In feline studies cited, flaxseed oil produced different immune outcomes than fish oil, with fish oil showing stronger suppression of inflammatory leukotrienes.
  • The authors highlight that flaxseed oil alters lab-reported omega-3 totals without providing EPA or DHA, leading to misleading impressions about biological equivalence.
  • Experimental diets containing flaxseed oil failed to produce the same membrane fatty acid changes seen when dogs consumed EPA/DHA-rich oils.
  • Flaxseed oil was used in research diets where identical n-6:n-3 ratios were achieved, but physiological responses differed significantly, demonstrating that source overrides ratio.
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    Dig Deeper

    Info Q/A's related to Flaxseed Oil
    Title URL At a Glance
    What’s the difference between EPA, DHA, and ALA? https://www.bernies.com/university/dig-deeper/whats-the-difference-between-the-three-main-omega-3s-epa-dha-and-ala/ EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) come from fish or algae and are directly absorbed by dogs to support inflammation, cognition, and cellular health. ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), from seeds like flax or chia, is a plant-based omega-3 that dogs can convert into EPA or DHA, but not very efficiently. The main difference is that EPA and DHA are already in the form dogs need, while ALA plays a more limited role unless paired with other sources.
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    Blog Articles

    Info Articles related to Flaxseed Oil
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