Fish vs Algae for dogs and cats - who wins and why is Omega 3 Daily our #1 bestseller?
Oily fish like salmon and tuna have long been associated with brain and heart health, and longevity, and most people would still consider them an important part of a healthy diet to boost health and increase lifespan for us and our companion animals.
At the same time, the ocean story is getting worse, not better: overfishing, contamination, disease and the blurring of lines between intense salmon farming and wild fish all make the category feel increasingly vulnerable. Which is exactly why Omega 3 Algae oil feels so relevant and is the perfect solution to highly sought after fish oil!
Put very simply Algae oil is where fish get their Omega 3s from in the first place — by eating algae.
Algae oil therefore provides Omega 3s at the source, with no fishy smell or heavy metal and microplastic contamination and no risk of fish allergy reactions in dogs and cats with an allergy to fish protein - a very common allergen in cats as shown below.
Fish oils have to undergo purification to remove the heavy metals, antibiotic, antifungals and anti lice medications found in intensively farmed salmon.
Read here about the shocking truth behind the salmon industry.
Why a surge in interest in Omega 3 oil in our dogs and cats?
Interest is driven by research linking these long chain Omega 3s especially EPA (EicosaPentaenoic Acid) and DHA (DocosaHexaenoic Acid) to skin and fur health, inflammation support (Calder 2017), cognition and joint health (Carlisle et al 2024) in dogs and cats. (Bauer 2011 therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals)
Traditionally, fish oil has been the primary source as it has always been very easy to use the byproducts of an intensively overfished industry.
However, Algae oil has emerged as a perfectly sustainable alternative, but how does it compare in its efficacy - are there published papers? (we all love the science!)
Let's look at the published science to compare fish oil to algae oil
Recent reviews in human and animal nutrition indicate that DHA from Algae oil is bioavailable and supports similar physiological functions as marine-derived fish oil (Magalhães, 2021; Calder, 2017). This supports its use as an effective Omega 3 source for dogs and cats.
Research by J.E. Bauer, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2007, examined dogs’ responses to dietary Omega 3 fatty acids, with puppy research indicating a correlation between targeted DHA intake and improved results in learning and memory tests.
In feeding trials with Algae oil containing EPA and DHA, increased plasma levels of these fatty acids confirmed that Algae oil provides a 'bioavailable and safe omega 3 source for dogs' (Dahms, 2019).
In the study shown below which has been published in Plos one, Beagles eating diets containing Algae oil rich in EPA and DHA increased plasma levels of these fatty acids in line with their intake levels, so a VERY SIGNIFICANT STUDY.
Do we have the same evidence in cats?
In feline nutrition, Algae oil INCREASED serum EPA and DHA concentrations and may serve as a viable alternative source of DHA (Motsinger, 2025). This study in cats found that inclusion of Algae oil can increase serum DHA and EPA.
Clinical Studies With MicroAlgae
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/19/9343Fish oil vs algae oil production
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 Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), almost 90% of the world’s marine fish stocks are now fully exploited, overexploited or depleted. (statistics from GlobalPets).
By contrast, Algae oil is produced in 2 ways: the controlled cultivation of Microalgae in closed systems as illustrated below.
Or we have a circular economy model as we have with MiAlgae in Scotland who produce DHA Omega 3 by upcycling the whisky industry byproducts - what a wonderful way to benefit the economy of Scotland without the exploitation of salmon!
Read from MiAlgae Director Douglas Martin who explains how: “We Need to Stop Unnecessarily Hunting Wild Fish for Something They Don’t Produce”
2024 Earthshot Award Finalist, MiAlgae, announced a new partnership in 2026 with fresh dog food provider Butternut Box to introduce their fish-free upcycled Omega 3 into dog food for the first time.
Hooray as read here how Algae oil production is POISED TO DOUBLE BY 2030!!
And quoting from this article in GlobalPets -
“With the growing pet population globally, the demand will continue to drive towards better understanding of optimising 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.
Do we have other producers of Omega 3 Algae Oil in Dogs?
Aniforte are the first pet supplement company to introduce sustainable pure Omega 3 Algae oil to their range alongside already selling cheaper processed salmon oil.
Omega 3 Algae oil is sold only in a tiny 50ml bottle compared to the large bottles of far cheaper to obtain salmon oil!
The salmon oil is sold with plungers that can cause oxidation of the fish oil as oxygen enters the base of the bottle of fish oil and can cause it to go rancid quickly and not be as effective for dogs.
What is Astaxanthin added to our Omega 3 Daily to benefit your dogs?
Our Omega 3 Daily has the extra addition of a potent antioxidant called Astaxanthin. It is what is called a carotenoid that is made by the intense pink microalgae Haematococcus Pluvialis. This Microalgae is normally eaten by krill, lobsters, wild salmon (farmed salmon are given 'fake' astaxanthin), and even flamingoes.
It gives the colour to these animals (but not to worry, it would not turn your white husky pink!)
It has an antioxidant effect that is shown to be 6000 x stronger than Vitamin C in its effect.....and it gives flavour to the Omega 3 Daily making it taste almost like fish without the fish!
Do we have studies showing how effective Astaxanthin is?
Success Stories using Omega 3 Daily
What about the taste of Omega 3 Daily Algae oil vs Fish Oil?
We all know how active our rescue Greyhounds are (when they want to be), but they do spend most of their days sleeping.....until the Omega 3 Daily oil comes out! I loved receiving this from Gracie's Mum -
"I just wanted to let you know how much Gracie Greyhound loves the vegan salmon oil, she shoots out of bed when she sees the bottle!
I take it too, I always failed to take omega 3 in the past because I didn't like the flavour of flaxseed and other oils, it's a win-win-win for dogs, humans and fish Thank you for sourcing and selling it"
- Jen and Gracie
We love this review from Vanessa about her elderly dog Charlotte -
"Charlotte is on your Omega 3. It's great. (I told our vet about it the other day and he couldn't believe that such a product existed!😂 He is very pleased how positively it is affecting Charlotte's mobility.)"
