Reports of palm oil being toxic for pets have broken the internet. You may have seen a couple of articles about dogs needing emergency treatments because they consumed this form of vegetable oil.
How true is that? What should you expect if your dog takes palm oil, and most importantly, is it bad for your furry friend’s health?
It’s not uncommon for responsible pet owners to check the manufacturer’s list of pet products for harmful additives. Palm oil is especially popular in dog treats, supplements, and food and is often used as a filler product.
But can dogs have palm oil? There are controversies about the toxicity of palm oil, and this post will help clear your doubts. Let’s go.
Is Palm Oil Bad for Dogs?
Palm oil is considered one of the high-fat foods causing high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, a condition that affects humans and canine companions.
Commercial dog food contains palm oil, but not the natural type. They use a different kind of palm oil which often contains free radicals because of the high level of processing it goes through to fit into large-scale manufacturing processes. And this is bad for dogs.
If the brand of dog food does not make public commitments to quality, you should probably avoid it. This is because such food is likely to contain processed palm oil, which goes by many different names in the industry.
But to be on the safe side, check the list of ingredients and compare it with the alternative names on this list. Unless the label clearly states that the manufacturer used red palm oil, which is unprocessed, your dog’s health is better preserved by avoiding the brand.
On the other hand, unprocessed or natural palm oil has been proven to be a good source of vitamin A for your dog’s eyes and health when consumed in controlled quantities.
Aside from better eye health, it regulates cholesterol levels, improves the condition of their fur and skin, enhances the cardiovascular system, and may even fight cancer. Brain health is also enhanced with a healthy consumption of palm oil.
Peanut butter brands for dogs may also contain palm oil as a filler. Manufacturers use it to create a creamy consistency in this snack. But it’s unlikely that it’s the pure form of palm oil, so you should either stick with all-natural, non-processed peanut butter or consider alternatives to peanut butter.
Why Is Palm Oil Bad for Dogs?
Palm oil is bad for dogs because it has a high-fat content, but that is only when you overuse it. In addition, over processed palm oil (done at a ridiculously high temperature) is bad for you and your pet because of the unhealthy exposure it receives.
Are Palm Oil-Based Products Bad for Dogs?
Not exactly, but most commercial dog food brands are notorious for cheating their way out of providing the quality your pet needs. Unless it is stipulated that the brand used pure or red palm oil for production, best believe that you want nothing to do with it.
Can Dogs Have Palm Oil? – What Type Is Safe for Canines?
Can dogs have palm oil? Yes, contrary to public opinion. Experts suggest that palm oil in controlled amounts is good for dogs and humans. But it must be unprocessed.
In contrast, highly processed palm oil is found in commercial foods like peanut butter for dogs. This is unsafe for canines.
However, the health benefits of palm oil are impressive. You can do it manually if you want to include palm oil in your dog’s diet. Shop for the raw kind and use it at the direction of a licensed vet.
What Happens if Your Dog Eats Palm Oil?
If your dog eats palm oil washed up from the sea to the nearest land, check how much he consumed. This type of palm oil, often in solid form, can cause intestinal blockage and poisoning.
What Palm Oil is Bad for Dogs?
Two primary categories of palm oil products are bad for dogs. Let’s start with what you may be more familiar with – the waxy substance that washes to the shore of beaches from ships.
Ocean waste comes in different forms and some result from human activities. In cases where a dog discovers a waxy pebble on the beach, often white or yellow, and consumes it, this may cause health issues.
There are two ways palm oil found on the beach may be toxic for your dog.
First, you should know that ships use palm oil to clean cargo before loading a fresh batch. Ship owners begin by washing the ship with seawater. Then fresh water is used, after which they use palm oil.
The International Maritime Organization regulates the disposal of any chemical into the ocean. Some rules guide the discharge – it is allowed in areas where the water is at least 25 meters deep and 12 nautical miles away from the seashore.
But, these bergs wash to the shore sometimes, and unsuspecting dogs may ingest them.
Palm oil has amazing benefits, but that is when consumption is controlled.
So, what makes palm oil bergs toxic for dogs that snack on them? These waxy substances sometimes contain toxic waste from ships – this is why they sometimes smell like diesel or fuel.
Palm oil residue mixes with fuel waste, among other dangerous substances. The best thing is to protect your puppy from consuming this substance, and you can do that by giving him your full attention when walking on the beach.
Staying updated can also help – for instance, if you are conversant with news regarding dog health and activities, you will know when something detrimental to a canine’s health breaks the internet.
Conclusion
Now you should know what to reply when faced with the question “can dogs have palm oil?”
As a pet owner, you have a duty to your dogs, and that is to protect them from unsafe foods. Your responsibility also extends to researching the ingredients in your dog’s food for anything that may cause adverse effects.
Maintaining a healthy pet is easy, but you must be on guard always because these creatures can eat anything.
