Thistle oil

oil ingredient

Good

What is it?

Thistle oil is an oil or fat ingredient. Graded good: a real, recognisable ingredient that adds nutritional value, so it lifts a product’s score.

Other names on labels: milk thistle oil

At a glance

Base score
0.7 (from −1 to 1; higher is better)
Found in
4 products

Products containing thistle oil

Results reflect the latest label we hold for each product, not a live check of today's recipe. Open a product to see its source and last-checked date.

Common questions about thistle oil

Is Thistle oil good for dogs?

Yes, we grade it as a good ingredient: recognisable and nutritionally useful, so it lifts a product’s score. Bear in mind that no single ingredient decides quality; the whole recipe and its balance matter more.

What is thistle oil in dog food?

Thistle oil on pet food labels usually refers to oil pressed from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) seeds, a thistle-like plant also called dyer's thistle. It is a fat source that supplies essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid. It may appear on labels as thistle oil or safflower oil.

Is thistle oil safe for dogs?

It is generally considered safe for dogs when used as a food ingredient. As with any fat source, some dogs may be sensitive to it, so speak to your vet if your dog has a history of digestive upset or pancreatitis.

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How many UK dog foods contain thistle oil?

4 UK products list thistle oil as an ingredient in our database. The full list is shown above, sorted by rating.

What else is thistle oil called on labels?

Manufacturers can also list it as milk thistle oil. We match this to the same glossary entry when we read a label.

How does Open Dog Food grade thistle oil?

We grade it good, our highest grade, reserved for recognisable ingredients that add real nutritional value. Every ingredient is converted to its dry-matter share and scored from our glossary before a recipe gets its 1-100 rating; the full method is on our methodology page.