A number of research projects have highlighted the benefits of adding flaxseed and oil to pet food, PetfoodIndustry wrote.
A controlled feeding study published in the British Journal of Nutrition researched breed-related differences in omega-3 fatty-acid metabolism in dogs fed with flaxseed oil.
In the 2011 study led by Dharma Purushothaman, flaxseed oil increased plasma alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) concentrations in dogs over the study period.
In 2023, a 16-week trial led by Taylor L Richards and published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science compared camelina (or false flax), flaxseed and canola oils in healthy adult dogs.
According to the research results, flax compared favourably with other seed oils.
Under study conditions, there were no significant differences among oil treatments for the measured skin and coat parameters or circulating inflammatory and oxidative markers in healthy dogs, PetfoodIndustry wrote on 13 March.
A crossover study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that flaxseed contributed more benefits than oil.
In the 2016 study, led by S Nybroe, researchers evaluated flaxseed mucilage in dogs and reported reduced apparent fat digestibility, particularly when combined with dietary calcium. Faecal characteristics were also affected, suggesting that inclusion level influenced tolerance.
A 2025 study led by Ammelie Godglück and published in Animals evaluated oilseed press cakes, including linseed press cake, as plant-based protein sources in adult dog diets.
The linseed-based diet showed lower apparent crude protein digestibility than comparative oilseed cakes.
A 2022 study published in Animals evaluated ground flaxseed in healthy adult cats.
The researchers, led by Matthew R Panasevich, found that dietary ground flaxseed increased serum ALA concentrations within 14 days and did not negatively affect nutrient digestibility or stool quality.
An earlier study published in Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology led by Hyun Joo Park compared fish oil and flaxseed oil in cats.
In the 2011 study, flaxseed oil increased circulating alpha-linolenic acid, while fish oil increased EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Both oil sources were associated with decreased histamine-induced skin responses under the study conditions while flaxseed oil was less immune-suppressive than fish oil in certain immune measures reported.
Across species, the peer-reviewed literature supported flaxseed and its derivatives as: a source of ALA in dogs and cats; a plant-based ingredient aligned with sustainability and alternative protein positioning; and a contributor of dietary fibre when used as whole seed, ground seed or mucilage.
