Can Dogs Eat Vegetable Oil?

Sometimes it can be tempting to share “people food” with dogs. With that habit, though, comes the risk of feeding ingredients that aren’t good for them! For instance, can dogs safely eat vegetable oil?

Maybe you’ve prepared a lovely chicken dish but only had veggie oil on hand to pan-fry it. Or maybe your dog made a mistake — he got into your baking ingredients when you weren’t looking.

Whether your dog has already ingested the slippery stuff or you’re just curious about the safety of vegetable oil for dogs, here’s what you need to know. Read on to learn more about whether vegetable oil is safe for dogs, or whether your dog eating cooking oil is cause for alarm.

Before you read this guide, “Can Dogs Eat Vegetable Oil,” check out: Is Castor Oil Safe for Dogs? (2023).

Can Dogs Eat Vegetable Oil?

In short, yes. Vegetable oil is safe for dogs. It’s a plant-derived substance made from corn, soy, palm, sunflower, or canola (rapeseed). None of these plants are toxic to dogs when consumed in moderation, so if your dog gets a little veggie oil in his food, there’s no cause for concern.

As with just about every food, vegetable oil should be used in moderation. You can bake doggie treats with vegetable oil as an ingredient, and you don’t have to worry if your pup’s table scraps contain the oil.

In fact, vegetable oil may carry some health benefits for dogs. Are you curious to learn how vegetable oil for dogs could be beneficial? Let’s take a look.

Benefits of Vegetable Oil for Dogs

When used in moderation, vegetable oil can be good for your dog. Remember that you only need a little bit, and we strongly encourage you to speak to your vet before administering veggie oil to your pup.

That said, the benefits of vegetable oil for dogs include:

• Softer skin
• Smoother fur and coat
• Alleviation of itching
• Softer stools
• Reduction of blockages in the digestive tract

Speak with your vet about the appropriate “dosage” of vegetable oil for your dog before you sprinkle a bit on his or her food. In most cases, just a teaspoon or so will suffice.

Risks Associated with Vegetable Oil for Dogs

Vegetable oil is safe in small quantities. If your dog gets his paws on a few licks of the oil, there’s usually no cause for concern. However, there are a few risks you should keep in mind if you’re considering giving veggie oil to your pup.

• Allergic reaction: Corn and soy can trigger an allergic reaction in some dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, if you notice symptoms like itchiness, hives, swelling, diarrhea, vomiting, or constant licking, your dog may be having an allergic reaction.
• Stinky gas: Consuming too much vegetable oil can cause your pup to have very stinky gas. This will pass with time, but note that your dog may feel uncomfortable. If your pup seems to be experiencing a lot of discomfort, call your vet. The solution is usually quite simple and a quick fix.
• Recurrence of pancreatitis: If your dog has pancreatitis, talk to the vet before giving him vegetable oil. The ingredient can cause pancreatitis to reoccur.
• Diarrhea: Finally, too much vegetable oil for dogs can lead to diarrhea. This ailment will go away with time, but your dog may be dehydrated and uncomfortable while the condition passes. Call your vet if you notice that your pup has diarrhea.

Put simply, while dogs can have vegetable oil, there are a few risks. Use the ingredient in moderation and speak to your dog’s vet if you have any questions.

How to Give Oil to Dogs

Want to try taking advantage of the benefits of veggie oil for your dog? There are a few ways you can get the ingredient into your dog’s system.

First, you can sprinkle a teaspoon or so over the food your dog normally eats. Vegetable oil has very little flavor, so you dog typically won’t notice. He’ll gobble up his wet or dry food with no hesitation.

If you like, you can cook with vegetable oil, then feed a bit of your “people” food to your dog. Remember to keep the other ingredients in mind, though! Onion, garlic, pepper, and even salt can cause issues for your dog. Keep your food as bland as possible, and research your ingredients before adding them.

Finally, you can feed a particularly unpicky dog veggie oil straight. Use a medicine dropper or other tool to administer the oil orally. This is typically a last resort, though, as the oil can taste strange to dogs.

Keep in mind that while vegetable oil is safe for your dog, there are many other oils on the market that will carry better benefits. Olive oil is usually a good alternative to vegetable oil. Speak with your vet to learn more about which is best for your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve been wondering if dogs can eat vegetable oil, you now know that yes, your dog can have a bit of oil mixed into his food. You may have other concerns, though, so we’ve put together a list of the most frequently asked questions about vegetable oil for dogs.

Conclusion for “Can Dogs Eat Vegetable Oil”

Your dog could have come into contact with vegetable oil in quite a few ways. Maybe he hopped up onto your counter and stole your baking ingredients. Maybe he just got bored while you were at work and got into your pantry.

Or, maybe you want to make the conscious decision to give your pup veggie oil, whether in people food or in dog food. Either way, you want to know whether dogs can eat vegetable oil.

Good news — if your dog has somehow eaten vegetable oil, whether accidentally or deliberately, that’s okay. The ingredient is safe for dogs and may even carry some health benefits.

Always speak to a vet before you feed any human food to your dog. Keep his safety in mind and stick with pet-formulated foods as much as possible.

If you find this guide, “Can Dogs Eat Vegetable Oil,” helpful, check out: 

• The 6 Best Salmon Oil Supplements for Dogs! (2023)
• I Almost Killed My Dog With Fish Oil: What to Do? (2023)
• Can Dogs Have Sesame Oil? 4 Health Benefits! (2023)

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