Even with all the information out there on the internet, sometimes you are still left wondering what you can and cannot feed your dog. I mean, it’s, “Your dog will thrive best on a completely raw diet”, but at the same time, it’s, “Don’t feed a raw diet to your dog, because both they and your whole family can contract a foodborne illness”. How do you know what to believe?
Well, I can tell you this: You have to carefully separate the facts from the opinions. Then, you, after putting all the relevant facts together and pondering their impact on the answer to your question, must formulate your own educated opinion. I am here to help. I may give you some opinion with my facts, but I will always tell you which is which.
Now, to the question at hand — Can dogs eat vegetable oil, and what happens if they do? I’ve checked it out. Let’s look at what I found.
Can dogs eat vegetable oil?
Ingesting vegetable oil in small amounts won’t hurt most dogs and can, in some instances, be somewhat beneficial, at least that’s what many dog owners say. I had never really thought about it until I researched this question, but many dog owners give their dogs vegetable oil as a regular part of their diet.
Why do people give their dogs vegetable oil?
Lots of dog owners stir a little vegetable oil into their dog’s kibble each day. They give such reasons as they believe it gives their dog softer skin or a healthier coat or helps their dog not itch so much. The main reason they give their dogs vegetable oil, however, is that it helps with gastrointestinal blockages. It softens their dog’s stool so that the feces can pass.
First, though, if you insist on giving your dog vegetable oil each day, give them a minimal amount, as giving them too much can cause diarrhea, but it can also cause weight gain and health problems like pancreatitis and others. Second, vegetable oil is not the best choice as a laxative for your dog. There are choices your vet can advise you about that will be better for your dog.
Can you use vegetable oil on a dog’s body?
Many dog owners also use vegetable oil on their dog’s bodies as a moisturizer. They boast that vegetable oil reduces their dog’s itching and makes their coat softer and shinier. Your dog’s skin and hair will only soak up so much of it, though, so be careful not to overdo it, or you’ll end up with vegetable oil all over everything.
What happens if a dog eats vegetable oil?
Eating vegetable oil probably won’t harm your dog if ingested in small amounts, but don’t be surprised when they get diarrhea if they eat too much. This is why many dog owners use vegetable oil as a cheap laxative. They also give it to their dogs to promote healthy skin and a healthy coat. However, there are better choices for laxatives for your dog, and you can apply the vegetable oil on your dog’s skin and coat directly.
What happens if a dog eats used vegetable oil?
Used vegetable oils like that emptied from deep fryers contain acrolein, a liquid that forms as oils are heated at high temperatures. Acrolein can be toxic when inhaled, touched, or ingested. Never feed your dog used vegetable oil. Acrolein is also an ingredient in cigarettes that causes lung cancer.
Can eating vegetable oil make my dog ill?
Ingesting too much vegetable oil can not only give your dog diarrhea, but it can also lead to obesity and even foster illnesses like pancreatitis. There are healthier choices you can make for your dog.
Can dogs eat other cooking oils?
While not necessarily harmful to your dog, vegetable oil may not be the best choice for them either. Vegetable oil is not one of the higher-quality fats that’s good for the body. Plus, many vegetable oils contain ingredients that cause allergic reactions in dogs — ingredients like corn and soybeans.
Which cooking oils are bad for dogs?
Vegetable oils, to reiterate, contain soybean and corn products and are therefore more likely to cause allergic reactions in your dog than other, more healthy alternatives. Both butter and peanut oil can cause your dog’s stomach to hurt and be upset. Cooked oils heated at high temperatures, to reiterate, contain acrolein, a substance that can be toxic to your dog, and fats like leftover bacon grease contain lots of sodium that are unhealthy for your dog.
Which cooking oils are safe for dogs?
There are better alternatives for cooking oils to feed your dog, though you should still not feed it to them in large quantities.
Flaxseed Oil
Though fish oil is great for dogs with its omega-3 fatty acids, some dogs are allergic to fish, and flaxseed oil is a wonderful substitute. Flaxseed oil aids in reducing inflammation, so it helps dogs with arthritis regain mobility. It can also help with kidney function, blood pressure, and seasonal allergies.
Olive Oil
Especially for dogs who cannot digest omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids very well, olive oil is a great option. Cold-pressed olive oil is the best option, but any option will do as long as it is 100% pure olive oil. Olive oil aids in your dog’s overall well-being by helping fight diabetes and cardiovascular disease, aiding their body’s immune systems, and promoting a healthier coat and skin.
Coconut Oil
If possible, buy virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil. Not only is coconut oil good for a dog’s cognitive function, but it promotes healthy skin, a healthy coat, and better breath.