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Ingredient file // Fat or oil

Flaxseed Oil

Useful plant omega-3, but no fish oil substitute

Flaxseed oil is pressed from flax seeds and supplies fat rich in alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. It adds calories and a plant omega-3 to dog food, but it does not supply the EPA and DHA found in marine oils.

Role in the food Supporting nutrient
What it is
Oil pressed from flax seeds, used in dog food as a source of fat and plant omega-3.
Made from
Mature flax seeds
Main job
Plant omega-3 fat
Typical amount
One dog trial mixed in 8.2 g per 100 g food
Watch for
Oxidation products rise before the end of shelf life
Not the same as
Ground flaxseed

Straight answer

Is Flaxseed Oil safe for dogs?

Count the ALA, then check the other fats

Flaxseed oil low on a list contributes ALA and calories. Read the food's fat information and look for a named marine or algae source if EPA and DHA matter to your dog. Treat a skin or coat promise as unproven for the amount in the bag.

Why it is in the food
Plant omega-3 fat

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 59 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

2%

54 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 18 brands. 41 wet dog food, 7 frozen dog food, 5 dog food topper.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 12.5. In the top five of 0 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

45%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 55% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $7.40
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 1 priced foods, 128% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

35%

of the foods that list it are from Merrick. 18 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Flax is grown as an oilseed crop. Mills press the seeds for oil and sell the solids left behind as meal for feed. That gives manufacturers a plant fat and a separate use for the pressed seed.4,6

  1. 01 // Source Flax seeds Mature, oil-rich seeds arrive at a mill for pressing.
  2. 02 // Process Cracked and flaked Rollers break and flatten the seeds so the press releases their oil.
  3. 03 // Process Oil pressed out Food oil is commonly cold pressed, leaving an oil-bearing meal for feed.
  4. 04 // Output Flaxseed oil The separated oil arrives as a concentrated fat whose ALA is vulnerable to oxidation.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

52

% ALA

About half the dry oil is ALA, a plant omega-3. That percentage does not represent EPA or DHA.

Crude fat 100%5
Alpha-linolenic acid 51.7%5
Oleic acid 17.2%5
Linoleic acid 15.3%5

This is one feed-table analysis, not a survey. Retail cold-pressed oils were themselves differentiated in fatty acid composition, with saturated fat, squalene and phenolics the most variable traits, so the lead figure will not match every bottle.5,6

Why it is in the bag

A plant omega-3 source, at amounts labels never show

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Makers add it for ALA, a plant omega-3, plus some fat calories. A little goes a long way: about half the oil is ALA, so under 0.1% flaxseed oil in the dry food would meet the NRC adult allowance of 0.044% ALA. List order shows only rank by weight, not amounts, so whether a given food reaches that level is unknown. It does not supply EPA or DHA, and its calories are minor.3,7,8

  1. 01

    Adds plant omega-3

    ALA makes up about half the dry oil. Adding flaxseed oil raises a recipe's ALA without adding the seed's fiber or protein.4,5

  2. 02

    Adds concentrated energy

    The feed table lists oil as effectively all fat on a dry matter basis. It adds calories alongside its fatty acids.5

  3. 03

    Makes use of an oilseed

    Pressing the seed for oil leaves behind a solid meal that is sold separately as animal feed, so one crop yields two marketable ingredients.4

How much A 16-week controlled trial in 30 healthy dogs mixed flaxseed oil into the kibble at 8.2 g per 100 g of total food intake.2

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Flaxseed oil supplies omega-3 fat

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A feed table puts ALA at about 52% of dry flaxseed oil. Calling it a plant omega-3 source is accurate. That number says nothing about the finished food's EPA or DHA content.3,5

  2. Brands say

    Flaxseed oil clears itchy skin

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a placebo-controlled trial of 29 dogs with atopic dermatitis, skin scores improved after 10 weeks with flax oil but not mineral oil. One small supplement trial does not show that an ordinary food amount clears itching.1

  3. Brands say

    Flaxseed oil makes coats shinier

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Shine rose over time in a 30-dog trial, but every group received an oil. Flaxseed oil did not outperform canola or camelina, and there was no group without added oil to isolate its effect.2

  4. Brands say

    Flaxseed oil replaces fish oil for EPA and DHA

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a 20-dog comparison, the blood EPA and DHA index rose with krill oil but fell from 1.6% to 0.96% with flaxseed oil. The krill supplier funded and authored the study, and an earlier fish-oil diet complicates the drop.3

  5. Brands say

    Flaxseed oil reduces inflammation in dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A 30-dog trial found no significant change in the inflammatory markers measured with flaxseed, canola or camelina oil. The dogs were healthy, so illness remains untested; the trial does not support a broad anti-inflammatory promise.2

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It supplies fat, calories and ALA. Those are real contributions to a recipe. The distinction to keep in mind is that its ALA does not provide the same EPA and DHA as a marine oil.3,5

  2. Q02

    Is it the same as flaxseed?

    No

    Pressing separates oil from seed solids. The oil supplies fat and fatty acids; ground flaxseed also brings fiber and protein. The 2 names describe different ingredients on a bag.4,5

  3. Q03

    Does a low listing mean little?

    By weight

    Ingredients appear in descending weight order, so a low listing means less oil went into the recipe than the ingredients above it. The list alone cannot tell you the finished food's ALA, EPA or DHA amounts.3,7

  4. Q04

    Should I add more for omega-3?

    Check the goal

    More flaxseed oil adds ALA and calories. If you need EPA and DHA, the dog comparison found that flaxseed oil did not raise their blood index as krill oil did.3,5

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Merrick 19 / 107
  2. Viva Raw 6 / 8
  3. Stella & Chewy's 3 / 85
  4. Iams 3 / 31
  5. AvoDerm 3 / 25
  6. TruDog 2 / 14
  7. Taste of the Wild 2 / 21
  8. Nutro 2 / 71
  9. Hill's 2 / 116
  10. Bil-Jac 2 / 32

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 8 more brands.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Carrots 78%
  2. Green Beans 44%
  3. Chicken 43%
  4. Dried Egg Product 39%
  5. Chicken Broth 37%
  6. Beef 30%
  7. Beef Broth 30%
  8. Natural Flavor 30%
  9. Peas 26%
  10. Beef Liver 24%
  11. Sweet Potatoes 22%
  12. Sunflower Oil 20%

On the shelf

Foods that list Flaxseed Oil

54 foods in our catalog list it, highest on the label first.

Nutro So Simple Dog Chicken and Duck Dog Food TopperNutroNutro So Simple Dog Chicken and Duck Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelWellness Core Bowl Boosters Hearty Toppers Beef & Green Beans Recipe in Savory Bone Broth Dog Food TopperWellnessWellness Core Bowl Boosters Hearty Toppers Beef & Green Beans Recipe in Savory Bone Broth Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelSimply Nourish Hip & Joint Recipe Wet Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Hip & Joint Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Lamb Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Lamb Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Chicken Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Chicken Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Rabbit Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Rabbit Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 9 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Duck Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Duck Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 9 on the labelDiamond Naturals Chicken Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies Wet Dog FoodDiamondDiamond Naturals Chicken Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelWellness Core Bowl Boosters Hearty Toppers Chicken & Pumpkin Recipe in Savory Bone Broth Dog Food TopperWellnessWellness Core Bowl Boosters Hearty Toppers Chicken & Pumpkin Recipe in Savory Bone Broth Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 9 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Functional Pour Overs: Skin & Coat - Salmon Stew Dog Food TopperThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Functional Pour Overs: Skin & Coat - Salmon Stew Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 9 on the labelTruDog Grain Free Turkey & Duck Recipe Small Breed Wet Dog FoodTruDogTruDog Grain Free Turkey & Duck Recipe Small Breed Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Wild Red : Whole Prey Chicken & Lamb Recipe, Protein Rich, Grain Free & Legume Free Stew Wet Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Wild Red : Whole Prey Chicken & Lamb Recipe, Protein Rich, Grain Free & Legume Free Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the label
Show 42 more
Viva Raw Complete Diet Turkey Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Turkey Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 9 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Chicken Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Chicken Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 9 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Turkey Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Turkey Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Wild Red : Whole Prey Chicken & Beef Recipe, Protein Rich, Grain Free & Legume Free Stew Wet Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Wild Red : Whole Prey Chicken & Beef Recipe, Protein Rich, Grain Free & Legume Free Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelBil-Jac Sensitive Solutions Skin & Stomach Support Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe in Gravy - Bil-Jac Wet Dog FoodBil-JacBil-Jac Sensitive Solutions Skin & Stomach Support Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe in Gravy - Bil-Jac Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelBil-Jac Sensitive Solutions Digestive & Immune Support Turkey & Pumpkin Recipe in Gravy - Bil-Jac Wet Dog FoodBil-JacBil-Jac Sensitive Solutions Digestive & Immune Support Turkey & Pumpkin Recipe in Gravy - Bil-Jac Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelHalo Holistic Grain Free Turkey & Duck Recipe Small Breed Wet Dog FoodHaloHalo Holistic Grain Free Turkey & Duck Recipe Small Breed Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Petite Pates Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Wild Red : Whole Prey Chicken & Turkey Recipe, Protein Rich, Grain Free & Legume Free Stew Wet Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Wild Red : Whole Prey Chicken & Turkey Recipe, Protein Rich, Grain Free & Legume Free Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelCanidae All Life Stages, Chicken and Rice Wet Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae All Life Stages, Chicken and Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Pork Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Pork Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 12 on the labelAvoDerm Grain Free 12 Cans- Chicken & Veggies Recipe In Gravy Wet Dog FoodAvoDermAvoDerm Grain Free 12 Cans- Chicken & Veggies Recipe In Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelAvoDerm Grain Free 12 Cans- Stew Beef & Veggies Recipe In Gravy Wet Dog FoodAvoDermAvoDerm Grain Free 12 Cans- Stew Beef & Veggies Recipe In Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelMerrick Kitchen Comforts Beef Tips & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Kitchen Comforts Beef Tips & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelNutro So Simple Dog Chicken & Chicken and Duck Dog Food TopperNutroNutro So Simple Dog Chicken & Chicken and Duck Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 12 on the labelViva Raw Complete Diet Beef Frozen Dog FoodViva RawViva Raw Complete Diet Beef Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 13 on the labelAvoDerm Grain Free 12 Cans-Whitefish, Salmon & Veggies Recipe In Gravy Wet Dog FoodAvoDermAvoDerm Grain Free 12 Cans-Whitefish, Salmon & Veggies Recipe In Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelIams Proactive Health Adult Chicken, Peas and Carrots Recipe Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Proactive Health Adult Chicken, Peas and Carrots Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelIams Proactive Health Adult Beef, Peas and Carrots Recipe Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Proactive Health Adult Beef, Peas and Carrots Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelTruDog Grain Free Chicken & Salmon Recipe Small Breed ca Wet Dog FoodTruDogTruDog Grain Free Chicken & Salmon Recipe Small Breed ca Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelIams Proactive Health Adult Lamb, Peas and Carrots Recipe Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Proactive Health Adult Lamb, Peas and Carrots Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelHalo Holistic Grain Free Chicken & Salmon Recipe Small Breed Wet Dog FoodHaloHalo Holistic Grain Free Chicken & Salmon Recipe Small Breed Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Lamb + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Chunky Colossal Chicken Dinner Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Chunky Colossal Chicken Dinner Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Carver’s Delight Chunky Chicken Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Carver’s Delight Chunky Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Puppy Plate Real Beef Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Puppy Plate Real Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelMerrick Wilderness Blend Grain Free in Gravy Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Wilderness Blend Grain Free in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Turducken in Gravy Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Turducken in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Puppy Plate Real Chicken Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Puppy Plate Real Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Single Protein Adult Single Protein Beef & Carrot Recipe Fresh Roll Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Single Protein Adult Single Protein Beef & Carrot Recipe Fresh Roll Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 19 on the labelTaste of the Wild Wetlands Canine Recipe with Fowl in Gravy Dog Food TopperTaste of the WildTaste of the Wild Wetlands Canine Recipe with Fowl in Gravy Dog Food TopperWet // No. 19 on the labelMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Chopped Pork Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Chopped Pork Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 20 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Single Protein Adult Single Protein Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe Fresh Roll Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Single Protein Adult Single Protein Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe Fresh Roll Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 21 on the labelMerrick Kitchen Comforts Turkey Meatloaf Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Kitchen Comforts Turkey Meatloaf Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 21 on the labelMerrick Kitchen Comforts Lamb Shepherd’s Pie Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Kitchen Comforts Lamb Shepherd’s Pie Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 22 on the labelMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Braised Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Braised Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 22 on the labelMerrick Backcountry Grain Free Hero’s Banquet Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Backcountry Grain Free Hero’s Banquet Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 23 on the labelDave’s Pet Food Stewlicious Meaty Beefy Stew For Dogs / Wet Dog FoodDave's Pet FoodDave’s Pet Food Stewlicious Meaty Beefy Stew For Dogs / Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 24 on the labelMerrick Kitchen Comforts Chicken Casserole Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Kitchen Comforts Chicken Casserole Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 25 on the labelMerrick Cowboy Cookout Grain Free in Gravy Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Cowboy Cookout Grain Free in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 25 on the labelBlue Ridge Beef Raw BRB Complete Frozen Dog FoodBlue Ridge BeefBlue Ridge Beef Raw BRB Complete Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 27 on the labelTaste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe with Beef in Gravy Wet Dog FoodTaste of the WildTaste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe with Beef in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 28 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on canine atopic dermatitis Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2004 // Journal
  2. 2 Effects of dietary camelina, flaxseed, and canola oil supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative markers, transepidermal water loss, and coat quality in healthy adult dogs Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2023 // Journal
  3. 3 Enhanced omega-3 index after long- versus short-chain omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in dogs Veterinary Medicine and Science, 2021 // Journal
  4. 4 Linseed meal Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), n.d. // Database
  5. 5 CVB Feed Table 2016 CVB, 2016 // Database
  6. 6 Commercial Cold Pressed Flaxseed Oils Quality and Oxidative Stability at the Beginning and the End of Their Shelf Life Journal of Oleo Science, 2016 // Journal
  7. 7 What's in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  8. 8 The balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in canine, feline, and equine nutrition: exploring sources and the significance of alpha-linolenic acid Journal of Animal Science, 2024 // Journal
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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