Is Grapeseed Oil Safe for Pets?

Green Lotus Hemp Blog Is Grapeseed Oil Safe Pets

Recently, we’ve heard from a lot of customers concerned about the safety of grapeseed oil, a natural antioxidant that we add to our Pet Tincture. 

The common question goes like this, “Your pet tincture contains grapeseed oil. Is grapeseed oil safe for my pet?”

The answer is, “Yes!” Grapeseed oil is safe for pets, for dogs, cats, ferrets, pot-bellied pigs and all of our furry, whiskered or hooved friends. 

How about some proof? We’ve got it. 

Experts Agree: Grapeseed Oil is Safe for Pets 

First, let’s ask the #1 source of information for all things relating to pet safety, the non-profit American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). 

On the organization’s nation-wide poison control hotline, veterinary toxicologists stay on call 24/7 to respond to poison-related emergencies. Here’s what they have to say about grapeseed oil: 

“We have no data indicating risks from exposure to grapeseed extract or oil.”Âč

Now that cuts to the point.

ASPCA’s poison control center keeps the most “extensive collection of individual cases—over 3 million—involving pesticide, drug, plant, metal and other exposures,” of any organization in the United States. ASPCA has the hard data, and the hard data says grapeseed oil is safe for pets. 

We have more.

Natural pet food stores already sell grapeseed oil as an anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory treatment for both cats and dogs, and have been doing so for a long time. 

Green Lotus Hemp Blog GrapeseedOil Safe for Pets ASPCA

According to pet herbalist Gary Le Mon of Natural Wonder Pets, 

“The grape seed…is not toxic…both grape seed oil and extract contribute to healthier tissue, shin[i]er coat, [and] stronger teeth and gums.”

A 2016 research review published by BMC Veterinary Research concluded the same:

“Long-term consumption of a pet specific blend of a polyphenol-rich extract from grape[s]…was not associated with renal or hepatic injury, and can therefore be considered safe.”ÂČ

Far from a safety risk, grape seed extract may be relevant to the study of coronary artery disease (CAD) in dogs.³ That’s according to researchers from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who administered grape seed extract to dogs (and people) as part of a peer-reviewed study published by Oxford University Press. 

Speaking of Oxford, what do Europeans think about grapeseed oil? 

“Grape [seed] extract is not considered a threat,” says the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) in its nutritional guidelines for cats and dogs. 

For Europeans, banning and regulating are continental pastimes — right behind soccer. If it’s not banned in Europe, it’s definitely safe.

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Green Lotus Hemp Blog Grapes Toxic to Pets

Grapes (Not Grape Seeds) Are the Problem

Grape seeds and grapeseed oil are safe. It’s the skin and pulp of the grape that can pose a risk to pets, especially dogs.

From 1992 to 2005, about 43 dogs in the US suffered from decreased kidney function after eating grapes or raisins.⁔ Unfortunately, the results were fatal for half of the dogs. 

While grapeseed oil is 100% safe to keep around your pets, raisins and grapes are not.

Here are two simple solutions to keep your pet away from grapes and raisins. 

  • Instead of storing raisins and grapes in refrigerator bags, use a sturdy set of glass tupperware. Hungry dogs can be extraordinarily resourceful. 
  • Let children and visitors know that grapes and raisins are off-limits for pets, lest they be inclined to sneak the dog or cat a treat. 

Vomiting and diarrhea are tell-tale signs that a pet has ingested grapes or raisins. In these cases, take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. If a veterinarian isn’t available, replace lost fluids and keep your pet hydrated until you can get them to a healthcare professional.  

Why We Use Grapeseed Oil 

Besides being a potent antioxidant, grapeseed oil is an effective “carrier oil.”

Pure full-spectrum hemp oil is thick and pasty. As a carrier oil, grapeseed oil gives our tinctures a lighter consistency that is closer to a liquid than a paste.

In our human tinctures, we use raw organic coconut oil to achieve the same effect. But for pets, our formulators feel that grapeseed oil is an ideal choice for its performance as a carrier oil, its nutritional value and its excellent safety record.

If you have any questions, send us an email at info@greenlotushemp.com. At Green Lotusℱ, we always check with a veterinarian before starting our pets on any new product, and we recommend the same for our customers!

Farewell, and have a wonderful day!

  • Your friends @ GreenLotusHemp

References

A mixed grape and blueberry extract is safe for dogs to consume. BMC Veterinary Research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4973095/ (2016, accessed April 10, 2019).

Grape Seed and Grape Skin Extracts Elicit a Greater Antiplatelet Effect When Used in Combination than When Used Individually in Dogs and Humans. OUP Academic. https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/132/12/3592/4712127 (2002, accessed October 10, 2019).

Acute Renal Failure in Dogs After the Ingestion of Grapes or Raisins: A Retrospective Evaluation of 43 Dogs (1992–2002). Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2005.tb02744.x (2008, accessed April 11, 2019).

2 thoughts on “Is Grapeseed Oil Safe for Pets?

  1. CM Magazine says:

    An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers

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