Rapeseed (not grape seed oil), which is also known as oilseed rape or simply rape, is a bright-yellow plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family (along with cabbage and/or mustard). Its seeds are rich in oil, and this oil is the third-largest source of vegetable oil in the world.
A rapeseed plant usually flowers in May in the Northern Hemisphere and can be quite beautiful to behold and tempting to walk through! But, if you have beautiful fields of flowering rapeseed close by to you and your neighborhood, is it safe to walk your dog through it too…?
Rapeseed and Dogs
Rapeseed plants are typically okay for a dog to walk through, but there have been some reports about dogs displaying skin burns/reactions after contact that rapeseed may be the cause of. It does not happen to every dog and is a very rare occurrence, but it’s certainly something to be mindful of, particularly if your dog is known to have skin sensitivities already.
Ingesting rapeseed can be more of a problem for a dog. Eating it can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs. If your dog eats some of a rapeseed plant when out and about on a walk, they may vomit or experience diarrhea but usually, this response is mild and passes quite quickly.
However, if your dog has been through a field of rapeseed and is showing signs of distress, stomach upset, or lethargy or they have sore, red, and/or itchy skin, it’s definitely worth checking in with their vet to rule out anything severe.
Because of these reasons, it may make sense to avoid fields of rapeseed for a walk with your pooch over the summertime. But, if it is absolutely unavoidable, more likely than not your dog will be absolutely fine. Just be cautious, and always contact their vet if you have any concerns about their health and wellbeing.
Can Dogs Have Rapeseed Oil?
August is typically harvest time for the rapeseed plants, where their popular oil is extracted from the seeds. Rapeseed oil is known to be fairly high in erucic acid which is a monounsaturated Omega-9 acid, and we all know that dogs and humans alike can generally benefit health-wise from the omega oils!
Human-grade rapeseed oil can be bought in pretty much any well-stocked food store, and is often found on the ingredient labels of commercial pet foods too (dry and wet), meaning it is safe for a dog to consume.
In terms of making it a conscious addition to your dog’s diet, it may be better to look to fish oils which are renowned for being rich in essential omega oils. Fish oils are widely researched for benefiting a dog’s skin and coat health and for boosting the immune system’s functioning.
You may also like to read our blog on Sunflower Oil For Dogs.
Sources
“Rapeseed” Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapeseed
Author Allen, Rachel “The Truth About The Possible Effects Of Rapeseed On Dogs” Holmer Vet Surgery, May 27. 2021 https://www.holmervetsurgery.co.uk/2021/05/27/the-truth-about-the-possible-effects-of-rapeseed-on-dogs/
“Rapeseed Oil In Dog Food” All About Dog Food https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/dog-food-ingredients/0057/rapeseed-oil
Author Abbott, Caroline “Is Rapeseed Extremely Dangerous To Dogs?” Devon Live, Apr 28. 2022 https://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/family-kids/rapeseed-extremely-dangerous-dogs-7011165
