ReviewVeterinary and animal science2026
Perspectives on dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for enhanced immunity in healthy and ill dogs: a narrative review.
Review in Veterinary and animal science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
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Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly the long-chain (LC) n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have gained considerable attention because of their ability to regulate inflammation and immune function. While their immunomodulatory effects are well documented in humans and experimental animal models, evidence in dogs is still limited and scattered. This review brings together the current knowledge on the effects of dietary PUFA supplementation on canine immune function, combining mechanistic evidence with findings from studies involving both healthy dogs and dogs with naturally occurring or experimentally induced diseases. The available evidence suggests that PUFAs influence the canine immune system through several complementary mechanisms. These include changes in cell membrane composition, regulation of intracellular signaling pathways and gene expression, and modulation of lipid mediators that control both the onset and resolution of inflammation. Overall, supplementation with EPA and DHA appears to reduce inflammatory responses and may improve clinical outcomes in a range of inflammatory conditions. Despite these promising findings, comparisons across studies remain difficult because of considerable variation in PUFA sources, supplementation protocols, dietary n-6:n-3 ratios, treatment duration, and immune parameters evaluated. Recent research also highlights the potential of more sustainable PUFA sources and emphasizes the importance of maintaining lipid stability and preventing oxidation to preserve their biological activity. Overall, current evidence supports the use of dietary EPA and DHA as immunomodulatory nutrients in dogs. However, further well-designed and standardized clinical studies are needed to determine optimal supplementation strategies and provide stronger evidence-based recommendations for veterinary practice.
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