A lot has happened in the last few years that’s led to a massive surge in popularity for luxury pet care. During the lockdown, people spent a lot more time at home — many adopted new pets, others bonding more deeply with the animals they were already looking after.
Deeper connections meant more care. More care has led to an investment on quality food, treats and nutrition for pets and livestock. People want to give their beloved animals food that’s good for them. They want options that are natural, organic and beneficial. They want purity and quality — not just for themselves anymore, but for their furry (or scaly or fluffy or feathery or hairy) companions.
The incorporation of natural seed oils into pet food has gained recent attention during this development trend thanks to its promising range of health benefits.
You can’t just add anything into pet food formulations, however — some ingredients are safe (and recommended) for animal consumption and some aren’t. To make things easy, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about pet-safe seed oils below.
What oils are okay for pets?
A surprisingly wide variety of nutrient-packed seed oils are pet safe. Black raspberry seed oil, blackberry seed oil, chia seed oil, cranberry seed oil, black cumin seed oil, chia seed oil, cranberry seed oil, flax seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, red raspberry seed oil, sunflower seed oil and pomegranate seed oil can all safely be included in animal nutrition product formulations.
What oils can I add to my pet’s food?
Any oil you add to pet food should be extra-virgin, ultra-pure and nutrient-dense. Oils that best possess these properties are small-batch cold-pressed seed oils due to their enhanced nutrient profiles and antioxidant properties.
What pet-safe seed oils are available from Botanic Innovations?
We carry over a dozen different pet-safe seed oils at Botanic Innovations — each one with its own unique and diverse nutritional profile and benefits.
Popular choices for animal nutrition formulations include:
- Flaxseed Oil. Rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) — a type of omega-3 fatty acid — flaxseed oil helps improve skin and coat condition for pets and livestock. It’s also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which benefit pets with arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.
- Pumpkin Seed Oil. Pumpkin seed oil is known for its high content of antioxidants, vitamins A and E as well as both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It also supports urinary health — especially in dogs!
- Chia Seed Oil. Chia seed oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and supports healthy skin, coat and joint function.
- Black Cumin Seed Oil. Black cumin seed oil is rich in immune-boosting antioxidants like thymoquinone — known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Sunflower Seed Oil. Sunflower seed oil benefits pet food formulations as a rich source of vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids — both of which support healthy skin, coat and immune function in animals.
- Cranberry Seed Oil. Cranberry seed oil is high in antioxidants and contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties offer unique benefits to pets’ urinary tract health.
- Black Raspberry Seed Oil. Black raspberry seed oil is rich in antioxidants — particularly vitamin E and anthocyanins — which support immune function and overall health in animals.
Natural seed oils are a rich source of essential nutrients that can contribute to the overall nutritional profile of animal and pet food whether it’s formulated for chickens, pigs, cattle, horses, dogs, cats or nearly any other animal.
Some oils (avocado oil, grape seed oil and many essential oils, for example) should always be avoided due to their potential toxicity. That’s why it’s important to use high-quality ingredients and work with experts when formulating your pet and animal food blends — it keeps everyone safe!
The exact pet-safe seed oils you choose will depend on your unique product goals. If you aren’t sure which oils to use, get in touch with the Botanic Innovations team.
Whether you’re aiming to deliver specific performance objectives, marketing claims or nutrient profiles — our Research and Development team has the experience and expertise to help.