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Key takeaways
- Palm oil isn’t toxic to dogs but can cause sickness, diarrhoea, and in rare cases pancreatitis or gut blockages.
- It’s not known to be fatal, though serious complications have occurred in a small number of dogs.
- Risk often comes from contaminants mixed with washed-up palm oil, such as diesel.
What is palm oil?
Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil extracted from the pulp of the fruit of African, American, and Maripa palms. It is commonly used in processed foods, personal care products, and as a biofuel. Additionally, large ships utilize palm oil as a cleaning agent for their tanks.
How does palm oil get on beaches?
International law allows ships to discharge palm oil residue while at sea, provided they are at least 12 nautical miles away from the nearest land and in waters that are at least 25 meters deep. Additionally, palm oil can enter the marine environment when ships transporting it as cargo collide or sink.
What does palm oil look like on the beach?
Palm oil washed up on beaches is often white, yellow, or orange and resembles waxy pebbles or boulders. These so-called blobs typically smell like diesel and may be contaminated with other waste products.
Is palm oil safe for dogs?
While palm oil is not toxic to dogs, it can have a laxative effect and may lead to sickness, diarrhoea, dehydration, and, in severe cases, pancreatitis if ingested. Additionally, its semi-solid state can result in gut blockages.
There have been instances where dogs became seriously ill after consuming palm oil. A significant part of the risk associated with palm oil is believed to come from other harmful substances mixed in with it, such as diesel oil from ships.
Can palm oil kill dogs?
There’s no evidence that palm oil ingestion is fatal in dogs. Most dogs that eat it show mild symptoms such as vomiting or loose stools, and some show none at all. In rare cases, more serious complications have occurred, including pneumonia from inhaling vomit, or elevated liver enzymes.
What should I do if my dog eats palm oil?
Contact your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic straight away. Treatment will be supportive. It is unlikely the vet will induce vomiting as it may increase the risk of inhalation. You should not attempt to make your dog sick yourself.
Can dogs eat palm oil in peanut butter?
Some cheaper brands of peanut butter may contain palm oil. Although there is unlikely to be enough in a jar to cause a dog health problems, dogs should not be given peanut butter regardless.
It is high in sugar and fat and may contain xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. If you’re ever unsure what your dog has eaten, contact your vet for advice.