We include sesame oil in our dog food because it’s a rich source of essential fatty acids and natural antioxidants. This nourishing oil helps support healthy skin and a glossy coat, while also promoting heart health and immune function – all part of helping your dog thrive from the inside out.
Contents
A Quick Look
Sesame oil is one of those lesser-known but quietly powerful ingredients we include in all our ranges at Poppy’s Picnic. You’ll find it in RAW POWER, MIGHTY MINCE and POWER BALLS as part of our enhanced herbs and botanicals. But why? In this blog, we explore what sesame oil is, the real benefits for dogs, and the scientific and nutritional reasons it earns its place in our naturally FEDIAF-balanced recipes.
What Is Sesame Oil?
Sesame oil is a natural oil extracted from sesame seeds. It’s rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and other plant compounds that support health in both humans and animals. Long valued in traditional medicine, it’s now gaining more attention in pet nutrition as a safe, plant-based way to support skin, joints and immunity.
Nutritional Benefits of Sesame Oil for Dogs
- High in omega-6 fatty acids for coat and skin health
- Rich in sesamin and sesamol, two potent antioxidants
- May help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress
- Supports immune function and cardiovascular health
According to the European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology, sesamin can influence lipid metabolism and antioxidant defence pathways in mammals, potentially benefiting dogs with chronic inflammation or poor coat condition.
Scientific Research and Expert Opinions
Although sesame oil is more often used in human health research, there is increasing interest in its role in animal diets. Dr Anna Hielm-Björkman from the University of Helsinki has studied natural plant oils in dog nutrition and notes, “The inclusion of omega-rich oils such as sesame may contribute to systemic anti-inflammatory effects when used in balance with other fats.”
Veterinary nutritionist Dr Karen Becker adds: “Sesame oil contains lignans that act as antioxidants. When introduced carefully, it can offer skin and immune benefits in dogs, especially when combined with fish oils.”
Why We Use Sesame Oil in Our Food
At Poppy’s Picnic, we use sesame oil in small amounts as part of our enhanced herbs and botanicals blend. It’s present in:
- RAW POWER
- MIGHTY MINCE
- POWER BALLS
We never use ingredients unless they serve a purpose. Sesame oil contributes beneficial fatty acids and antioxidants that support skin, coat and cellular health — especially important for dogs prone to itching or environmental allergies.
Naturally Balanced to FEDIAF Standards
All Poppy’s Picnic meals are naturally balanced to meet FEDIAF nutritional guidelines. This means our recipes — including sesame oil — are crafted with the right proportions of nutrients, based on real food and no chemical additives. We were the first raw dog food company in the world to achieve this using only natural ingredients.
Explore how sesame oil and our other functional ingredients come together in our RAW POWER, MIGHTY MINCE and POWER BALLS ranges.
