Riding the next wave of omega-3 in pet food

Although the global omega-3 pet supplement segment is set to almost double by 2035, market pressures are prompting businesses to seek novel ways to source these valuable nutrients. A closer look at the current state of the sector reveals how manufacturers are investing in the development of smart solutions.

Accepted range of benefits

Omega-3 fatty acids are scientifically proven to provide health benefits to cats and dogs, particularly in supporting vital functions such as skin and coat health, heart and kidney function, joint mobility and vision. These healthy fats are also essential for brain and neural development in puppies and kittens, and support cognitive health in senior pets.

The pet food industry uses three main types of omega-3: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is primarily derived from plant materials, plus eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are mainly sourced from algae or marine fish. In pet nutrition, the fatty acids can be incorporated into all formats of food – from dry kibble and wet food to treats and supplements.

According to George Josef, Global Director of Business Development in Nutritional Lipids and Alternative Proteins for Pet Food at dsm-firmenich, EPA and DHA are the most biologically active omega-3s and can be directly used by pets’ bodies to support essential functions.

“By targeting inflammation, these omega-3s can also help address skin allergies, joint problems and age-related conditions – all top health concerns among pet parents,” Josef tells PETS International, adding that algae-derived omega-3 delivers the highest concentration of EPA and DHA, and is also more sustainable.

Health-conscious owners drive growth

Recent estimates from Future Market Insights (FMI) show that the global omega-3 pet supplement market was set to reach approximately $1.57 billion (€1.43B) in 2025. It is predicted to continue expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%, nearly doubling to $2.93 billion (€2.66B) by 2035. This market growth is being driven by pet owners’ health consciousness and awareness, as well as research advances in the omega-3 segment.

According to Christine Wu, Technical Sales Manager for Asia-Pacific (APAC) – Animal Nutrition at Corbion, which develops sustainable food ingredients, cats and dogs are the biggest market for omega-3s among companion animals because they are obligate carnivores. Cats have no ability – and dogs have only limited ability, compared with herbivores – to convert ALA into EPA and then into DHA.

Positive effects in dogs and cats

A study titled ‘Exploring the efficacy and optimal dosages of omega-3 supplementation for companion animals’ published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database in the US, found that varying doses of EPA and DHA are needed to show positive effects, depending on the health issues of cats and dogs.

For instance, low to moderate dosages were found to help ease skin problems, while moderate to high dosages were effective for joint issues. For cognitive health, high dosages presented better results.

Josef of dsm-firmenich comments that cats and small dogs (those weighing under 9kg) tend to be overrepresented as a demographic for omega-3 supplementation, as they are generally easier to care for and therefore tend to live longer on average than larger animals.

“There is a growing cohort of consumers looking for pet food with age-specific benefits, such as joint support – a health area omega-3s are well known to address,” he says.

Evidence-based outcomes

QRILL Pet, a Norwegian-based biotech brand and krill-based ingredient producer owned by the Aker QRILL Company, has observed three key factors increasing omega-3 consumption among pet owners: health longevity, evidence-based health benefits and scientifically backed, responsible ingredient sourcing.

“Pet owners are not just buying omega-3 in itself. Rather, they are paying for evidence-based outcomes and the reassurance that the food they feed their pets is aligned with their own expectations and values around health and environment,” says Tonje Dominguez, Director of Specialty Animal Nutrition Products at Aker QRILL Company.

In addition, an increasing number of owners aim to provide their pets the same levels of nutrition that they seek for themselves. Josef notes that a clear majority is actively looking for immune-supporting nutrients in pet food, and large numbers insist that vitamin and mineral inclusions come backed by scientific proof.

Barriers to adoption

Although omega-3s are already an established, scalable market, a number of factors are holding back faster industry adoption. Costs remain the leading barrier.

“Price volatility in traditional marine oils can make it difficult for pet food producers to maintain consistent EPA and DHA levels, and oxidative stability continues to be a technical challenge since omega-3s are prone to oxidation,” says Dominguez. In other words, they degrade easily, impacting on freshness.

Another major barrier to omega-3 adoption is sustainable sourcing. Fish oils are commonly extracted from fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, with production averaging about 1.1 million tons per year over the past 10 years. However, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), almost 90% of the world’s marine fish stocks are now fully exploited, overexploited or depleted.

Sustainable sourcing is smart

These pressures in terms of costs, sustainability and supply volatility are prompting manufacturers to innovate and seek market alternatives.

Katarzyna Świrkowicz, Business Development and Sales Manager – Pet Food and Animal Nutrition at Corbion, states that the smart solution would be algae- derived omega-3s produced at scale by fermentation on land in fully controlled environments. “By growing microalgae with industrial-scale precision-fermentation technology, we can access nature’s original source of omega-3 while reducing pressure on marine resources,” she says.

According to Świrkowicz, algae ingredients in both solid (dry biomass) and liquid forms (suspensions and oils) are accepted by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), besides having Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration in the US and being in the EU Catalogue of Feed Materials.

In the next few years, sustainably sourced algae ingredients are therefore expected to move from an emerging option to one of the most widely chosen sources of omega-3s.

Innovation opportunities

As an additional trend, Dominguez sees the development of multifunctional blends that combine omega-3s with other nutrients such as antioxidants, choline or probiotics.

“We also predict continued improvements in stabilization and processing technologies to make it easier to include high-quality omega-3s in the blends without compromising the products’ shelf life,” states Corbion’s Wu.

There have been various recent examples of ongoing innovation in terms of adopting alternatives in the global omega-3 market.

In July 2025, Corbion secured multiple regulatory approvals from China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) to bring its algae-derived nutrition solutions to market in the country across both human and animal applications.

In September, Singapore-based biotech startup Umami Bioworks successfully registered two cultivated seafood ingredients for pet food in the EU, with a planned launch in Germany in early 2026.

The newly registered ingredients derived from white fish are sources of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and nutrients for pet food.

“With the growing pet population globally, the demand will continue to drive towards better understanding of optimizing pet health and nutrition,” Świrkowicz concludes.

Provided that manufacturers continue to conduct research and innovate to overcome the current hurdles, the omega-3 market will continue to grow.