For years, many dog parents have been taught to fear fat. Low-fat labels feel safer. Fat-free treats feel responsible. And when a dog struggles with weight, joints, or digestion, fat is often the first thing to go.
I understand why. Excess fat can cause harm.
But here’s what I explain almost daily at the vet desk: not all fats behave the same way in the body. And some of them are not just safe, they’re essential for healing.
When used correctly, omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most powerful nutritional tools we have in veterinary medicine.
Omega-3 fatty acids aren’t just calories. They work at a cellular level, influencing how inflammation, immunity, and healing are regulated throughout the body.
The two most important omega-3s for dogs are EPA and DHA, both found mainly in marine sources. This is why fish oil is so commonly discussed in veterinary nutrition, and why we talk specifically about EPA and DHA rather than “fat” as a whole.
Unlike excess dietary fat that simply adds calories, omega-3s actively participate in repair. They help calm inflammatory pathways, support cell membranes, and improve how tissues respond to stress and injury.
This distinction matters. A lot.
Inflammation sits underneath many of the conditions I see every week in clinic: joint disease, itchy skin, gut sensitivity, heart disease, and age-related cognitive changes.
In the UAE, these issues are often amplified by lifestyle and climate. Dogs spend long periods indoors during the hotter months, activity levels drop, and joints and muscles move less than they should. Skin is constantly challenged by air conditioning, dry environments, dust, and seasonal allergens. All of this quietly feeds low-grade inflammation.
Omega-3s help shift the body away from this constant inflammatory state. They support healthier immune regulation, improve tissue resilience, and help dogs cope better with environmental and physical stress.
In real life, that often looks like a dog moving more comfortably, scratching less, recovering faster, or simply seeming more settled and at ease.
Many people think omega-3s are just for a shiny coat. That’s often the first visible change, but it’s rarely the most important one.
What owners usually tell me is that their dog seems more comfortable. Stiffer mornings ease. Walks last longer. Skin flare-ups calm down. Older dogs feel more present and engaged.
In the UAE, where heat already puts extra strain on joints, skin, and energy levels, these changes can be even more noticeable. When dogs move less during the hotter months, inflammation tends to creep in quietly. Supporting the body from the inside becomes even more important.
This is where confusion often creeps in.
Therapeutic omega-3 support isn’t about “a splash of oil” or guessing with supplements. In veterinary medicine, we work within specific EPA and DHA ranges that are known to support healing without adding unnecessary calories.
This matters even more in the UAE, where many dogs are already less active for part of the year. Over-supplementing fats without purpose can backfire, but targeted omega-3 inclusion does the opposite.
That’s also why food-based omega-3 delivery often works better than standalone supplements. Oils oxidise easily in warm climates, dosing errors are common, and compliance can be an issue.
This is where nutrition stops being about adding things on top and starts being about building the right foundation.
In Wunderdog meals, omega-3s are included deliberately, through ingredients like salmon oil and whole foods, at levels designed to support healing without tipping the calorie balance.
For example, gentle recipes like Turkey with Honey provide omega-3 support for recovery and sensitive dogs. Beef with Beetroot helps support joints and inflammation while preserving lean muscle. Therapeutic recipes use omega-3s strategically to reduce organ-level inflammation, not as a marketing add-on, but as part of treatment.
This is omega-3s used as nutrition therapy, not guesswork.
When an owner tells me they’re scared to give fat, I never dismiss that fear. It usually comes from wanting to do the right thing.
But removing all fats doesn’t heal dogs. It often leaves them inflamed, uncomfortable, and struggling to recover.
The right fats, in the right amounts, do the opposite. They calm inflammation. They support healing. They improve quality of life.
So no, fat isn’t always the enemy. Uncontrolled fat is. Smart fat heals.
If your dog struggles with joints, skin, chronic inflammation, or recovery from illness, omega-3s may be one of the most important nutritional tools you’re missing.
And as always, the best results come when omega-3s are part of a balanced, vet-formulated diet, not trial and error. Your dog doesn’t need less nutrition.
They need the right nutrition.