After protein and carbohydrates, another line on the back of the bag deserves our attention: "crude fat."
12%, 16%, 20%... A high number can be concerning, while a "light" recipe sometimes seems reassuring. Yet, fat is not a defect to be eliminated.
To understand its value, you must look at the quantity, the nature, and the actual ration consumed. It is the same approach as in our guide on how to read dog food labels: a figure only makes sense when placed in context.
What are lipids?
"Lipids" is the term that encompasses fats and oils, as well as other related molecules. In food, a large portion appears in the form of triglycerides: one glycerol molecule combined with three fatty acids.
Fatty acids are therefore the building blocks of lipids. Their structure allows us to distinguish between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6 belong to the latter category.
A fat generally contains a mixture of several fatty acids. "Animal fat" does not mean solely "saturated fats," and "vegetable oil" does not describe a single profile.
What is the role of fat for dogs?
Its role goes far beyond energy storage. It contributes in particular to:
- providing energy for the body's functions and activity;
- supplying fatty acids necessary for certain biological functions;
- forming the membranes that surround cells;
- promoting the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, and K;
- helping maintain the skin barrier and coat health.
Certain fatty acids are also precursors to molecules involved in communication between cells and the regulation of inflammatory responses.
Fat can also make food more palatable. But kibble that a dog enjoys is not automatically adapted to its energy requirements.
What does "crude fat" mean on the label?
It is an analytical measurement of the fatty fraction extracted from the food. The word "crude" describes the analysis; it means neither "raw" nor "of poor quality."
A value of 16% corresponds to approximately 16g of fat per 100g of kibble as sold, unless another calculation basis is indicated.
This figure includes fat provided by the various ingredients, not just the oil or fat added that one identifies in the composition. Fish or meat can also provide it.
However, it does not by itself provide information on:
- the precise origin of these lipids;
- the amounts of omega-3, omega-6, EPA, or DHA;
- their digestibility;
- their state of preservation.
👉 Therefore, two kibbles with 16% fat can have very different lipid profiles.
A particularly concentrated source of energy
By equal weight, fat provides more than twice the energy of protein or digestible carbohydrates.
To estimate the metabolizable energy of many dog foods, modified Atwater factors use approximately 8.5 kcal per gram of fat, compared to 3.5 kcal per gram of protein or digestible carbohydrates. These are estimation coefficients: the energy actually available depends notably on the digestibility of the food.
The common reference of 9 kcal per gram of fat expresses the same general idea, but does not replace the specific energy value of a particular kibble.
A concrete example
A 100g portion of kibble with 16% fat contains approximately 16g of lipids. With the 8.5 coefficient, these represent approximately 136 kcal. Protein and carbohydrates provide additional energy.
16% fat therefore does not mean 16% of the calories.
To determine the calories served, it is best to use the metabolizable energy provided by the manufacturer in kcal/kg or kcal/100g, and then weigh the ration. Do not forget treats, leftovers, and any oils added.
Essential fatty acids: the quality of the intake also counts
A fatty acid is called essential when the body cannot produce it in sufficient quantity to meet its needs. It must then be provided by the diet.
In dogs, linoleic acid, from the omega-6 family, is essential. It is notably involved in maintaining functional skin.
Nutritional recommendations also distinguish omega-3 intake according to the life stage. During growth, they include requirements for alpha-linolenic acid and EPA + DHA. DHA contributes to the development of the nervous system and the retina.
The need for certain fatty acids is therefore not limited to a minimum total fat percentage. Adding just any oil does not guarantee that you are providing what is missing.
Omega-3 and omega-6: two families to understand
Omega-6 are not enemies
They are sometimes presented as "inflammatory" and omega-3 as their antidote. This opposition is too simplistic.
Omega-6 perform normal and necessary functions. What matters is covering the requirements and balancing the formulation, not trying to eliminate them.
Not all omega-3 are interchangeable
Notably, we distinguish between:
- ALA, or alpha-linolenic acid, present particularly in flaxseed and rapeseed oils;
- EPA and DHA, long-chain omega-3s provided particularly by certain fish and microalgae oils.
Dogs can convert some ALA into long-chain derivatives, but this conversion is limited, particularly towards DHA. Therefore, flaxseed oil does not replace a direct source of EPA and DHA in equal quantity.
Likewise, "omega-3: 1%" does not mean "EPA + DHA: 1%". If you are looking for these specific fatty acids, you must ask for their content levels.
What about the omega-6/omega-3 ratio?
It can provide information, but it is not enough to classify two foods. The same ratio can correspond to very different total quantities and does not describe the proportions of ALA, EPA, and DHA.
It is better to examine the quantities, the forms, and the dog's needs than a ratio presented as ideal for everyone.
What are the main animal and vegetable sources?
The ingredient list helps to understand the origin of the lipids, without replacing an analysis of their profile.
- Chicken or duck fat, lard, beef tallow: they provide energy and different blends of fatty acids. Poultry fat can notably contribute to the intake of linoleic acid.
- Fish and fish oils: they can provide EPA and DHA, with levels that vary according to the raw material and product.
- Sunflower, corn, or soybean oils: they can contribute to linoleic acid intake. The varieties and processes used change their profile.
- Rapeseed and flaxseed oils: they provide ALA, in particular, in different proportions.
- Microalgae oils: some are rich in DHA; others also provide EPA. You must check the precise composition.
A clearly named origin is more informative than a general "oils and fats" mention. However, it does not, on its own, guarantee the quality of the entire recipe.
Lipids can oxidize. The protection of the recipe, the packaging, and storage conditions also count: follow the manufacturer's instructions, close the bag tightly, and avoid heat and humidity.
Higher fat or lower fat: no automatic verdict
A higher-fat food may be suitable for a dog with high energy expenditure, providing calories in a reasonable volume. It is not automatically bad.
Conversely, if the ration provides more energy than the dog burns, weight gain may occur. High energy density leaves less room for approximate portioning and extras.
A lower-fat food can make it easier to control calories or address a medical indication. But it is not automatically better: it must always meet the needs for essential fatty acids and other nutrients.
As we saw for carbohydrates and their estimation via NFE, decreasing one fraction changes the place of the others. And the lipid level does not allow you to infer the quality of the protein in the recipe.
Adapting intake to the dog's profile
Growth and activity
A puppy needs a complete food adapted to its growth, with controlled energy intake and an appropriate nutritional profile. Simply choosing the fattest kibble does not meet this goal.
In adults, actual activity matters: a daily walk and prolonged endurance exercise do not represent the same expenditure. Intake must follow the work done, the season, and the evolution of body condition.
Sterilization, age, and body condition
After sterilization, energy needs often decrease, but the extent of the change varies. The ration and, if necessary, the energy density of the food are adjusted.
A less active senior might need fewer calories; another might lose weight and require a different approach. Age alone does not justify a systematic restriction of fat.
Monitor weight, but also silhouette and muscle mass. A significant reduction of a maintenance ration can decrease all nutritional intake: in the case of overweight, a specifically formulated food and professional support may be preferable.
When a pathology changes needs
Certain situations, such as hyperlipidemia, certain cases of pancreatitis, or intestinal lymphangiectasia, may require a fat restriction defined with a veterinarian.
This is not a rule applicable to all sick dogs or all digestive disorders. The degree of restriction, the ration, and any supplements depend on the diagnosis and tolerance.
Similarly, fish oil supplementation should be reasoned based on the quantities of EPA and DHA already consumed, not just on "spoonfuls of oil." A complete food does not automatically require an addition.
Documentary references: FEDIAF 2025 nutritional recommendations and Merck Veterinary Manual, nutritional requirements of dogs and cats. The FEDIAF represents European pet food manufacturers.
The Sköll & Hati perspective
To compare the lipids of two kibbles, I proceed in this order:
1. I note the rate and its calculation basis.
Percentages must be comparable. If moisture differs, one can calculate: fat on dry matter = stated rate ÷ (100 − moisture) × 100. At 16% fat and 10% moisture, we get approximately 17.8% on dry matter. If the moisture is missing, I ask for it.
2. I read the sources throughout the composition.
I identify the added fats, oils, and ingredients that provide them naturally. I look for precise origins, without automatically opposing animal and vegetable sources.
3. I verify the available fatty acids.
Omega-6, omega-3, and if possible linoleic acid, EPA, and DHA. A mention of "with salmon oil" is not enough to know the dose provided. Missing data remains unknown data.
4. I relate the fat to calories and the ration.
Fictitious example: A contains 16% lipids and provides 400 kcal/100g; B contains 12% lipids and provides 350 kcal/100g.
For the same illustrative intake of 400 kcal, A represents 100g and 16g of lipids; B represents approximately 114g and 13.7g of lipids. These 400 kcal are not a recommended ration for your dog.
One can also compare in g of lipids per 1,000 kcal: A provides 40g and B approximately 34.3g. This basis is particularly useful when a restriction is prescribed. The veterinarian then sets the appropriate target.
5. I compare these figures with my dog.
Is the food complete and adapted to their life stage? Does the ration, including extras, maintain a satisfactory body condition? Is it well tolerated? I re-evaluate after a gradual transition and over the course of changes in activity or health.
Key takeaways
- Lipids provide energy and contribute to essential functions.
- The crude fat percentage does not describe their fatty acid profile.
- Plant-based omega-3s, EPA, and DHA are not interchangeable; a ratio alone is not enough.
- Higher fat or lower fat: the right choice depends on the ration, the dog's needs, and tolerance.