About safflower oil

Safflower oil is the vegetable oil commercially cultivated and extracted from the seeds of the safflower plant. An annual, herbaceous, thistle-like plant, safflower is said to be one our oldest cultivated crops whose seeds have been used for food and for medicines for thousands of years.

Safflower oil has recently been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as not only being safe, but actually being beneficial to dogs.

So there. The benefits of safflower oil for dogs are official!

Nutrients in safflower oil

Safflower oil is an excellent source of the omega-6 fatty acid known as linoleic acid. It is also a good source of vitamin K, and is particularly rich in vitamin E.

Vitamin E is an important fat soluble oxidant. Safflower oil’s richness in this beneficial nutrient is largely why it’s so highly recommended for dogs. And why, as a canine nutritionist, I regularly add it to my dogs’ homemade dog food.

Benefits of safflower oil for dogs

Vitamin E helps maintain a dog’s skin and coat and boosts and supports a dog’s immune system. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. These can help with arthritis, strengthen the cardiovascular system and can even help in the fight against cancer.

Aside from its other benefits, safflower oil is ideal for dogs with itchy skin, and, as an ingredient, is being used more and more widely by manufacturers of dog food.

To use, simply drizzle onto your dog’s food as required. It has a neutral flavour so why not try some yourself?