Rapeseed
Rapeseed is a plant that is best known for its yellow flowers and high oil content. But did you know that rapeseed can also be beneficial for your dog? In this article, you can find out more about this versatile ingredient and its benefits and disadvantages for your four-legged friend's health.
What is rapeseed?
Rapeseed belongs to the cruciferous family, which also includes broccoli, cabbage and mustard. The plant is mainly cultivated in Europe, Canada and Australia and provides one of the most important edible oils in the world. The oil is extracted from the seeds of the plant, which contain around 40% fat. Rapeseed oil has a mild taste and a light color and is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants.
What are the benefits of rapeseed for dogs?
Rapeseed can have several health benefits for dogs when fed in moderation. Firstly, rapeseed oil can improve your dog's skin and coat health as it contains essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6. These can reduce inflammation, relieve itching and make the coat shiny and supple.
On the other hand, rapeseed can also promote your dog's heart health, as it can lower cholesterol levels and dilate blood vessels. This can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis or high blood pressure.
In addition, rapeseed can also help your dog's digestion as it contains fiber, which can stimulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. The fiber can also increase the feeling of satiety and thus control your dog's weight.
What are the disadvantages of rapeseed for dogs?
Rapeseed is a healthy ingredient for your dog, but as with everything, the dose makes the poison. Feeding your dog too much rapeseed can lead to a number of problems. Firstly, rapeseed can lead to an overdose of vitamin K, which is contained in the leaves of the plant. Although vitamin K is important for blood clotting, too much of it can interfere with the effect of blood-thinning medication or lead to bleeding.
On the other hand, rapeseed can also lead to hypothyroidism in your dog, as it contains so-called glucosinolates, which can inhibit the absorption of iodine. Iodine is an essential trace element that is required for the formation of thyroid hormones. If your dog gets too little iodine, this can lead to symptoms such as tiredness, weight gain or hair loss.
How to feed rapeseed correctly?
If you want to feed your dog rapeseed, there are a few things you should bear in mind. Firstly, you should only use the oil or the seeds, as the leaves contain too much vitamin K. Secondly, you should only buy high-quality rapeseed oil that is cold-pressed and not refined. Cold-pressed oil contains more nutrients and fewer harmful substances than refined oil.
The amount of rapeseed oil you can feed your dog depends on its weight. A rule of thumb is that you can give about one teaspoon per 10 kilograms of body weight per day. You can either mix the oil directly into the food or drizzle it over the food.
You can feed the seeds either whole or ground. The ground seeds are easier to digest and have a higher nutritional value than the whole seeds. You can feed about one tablespoon per 10 kilograms of body weight per day. You can either mix the seeds into the food or give them as a treat.
Rapeseed is a healthy ingredient for your dog that can improve his skin, coat, heart and digestion. However, you should be careful to feed only the oil or seeds and choose the right amount.
If you notice any signs of hypersensitivity or poisoning in your dog, you should see your vet immediately. We are not a substitute for a vet, but we try to be as accurate as possible. Every dog reacts differently and we recommend you get a second opinion or consult your vet if in doubt.
Stay healthy and take good care of your four-legged friend!😊