The danger of palm oil to our four- legged friends

As we enjoy the summer sun, there’s no doubt that many of us will be heading to the coast with our four- legged friends. But what can we do to keep our pooches safe?

There are some dangers that dog owners need to keep an eye out for this summer, such as palm oil, which is frequently found washed up on the shores of our beaches across Norfolk.

These hardened deposits often possess a waxy texture and are a white or creamy colour and can be fatal for dogs if they consume it.

Dog owners are advised to stay alert when walking along the beach and to keep dogs on leads, with the website for the Great Yarmouth Borough Council asking for any deposits found to be reported to-

https://www.greatyarmouthservi... vet team at Dogs Trust said that-

‘Ingestion of palm oil can cause problems in dogs that pet owners should be aware of. It can exist in both liquid and solid states, and if a dog were to ingest significant amounts of the solid oil, this may present a risk of gastrointestinal obstruction.

Ingestion of palm oil may also result in gastrointestinal effects such as stomach upset (e.g. vomiting and/or diarrhoea), or pancreatitis due to its high fat content.

We would recommend therefore that if a dog owner ever has concerns that their dog may have ingested palm oil, they should speak with their vet practice, who will be best placed to advise on what action to take (if necessary).’

Summer restrictions are now in place on many beaches. Between the 1st May and the 30th September, dogs are banned from many beaches, with a fine of £1,000 for not conforming to these rules.

But the good news is that there is not one beach in Norfolk which bans dogs all year round! There are still 19 beaches across Norfolk which we can take our pups to all year round, such as Holkham, East Runton and Old Hunstanton. For more information on dog friendly beaches across Norfolk, then you can visit-

https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/blog/dog-friendly-beaches-in-norfolk