Can dogs eat Jojoba?

Overview

Caution. While jojoba isn’t considered toxic to dogs, it’s not recommended as a food source. The seeds are technically edible but not suited for canine digestion. Jojoba oil is more commonly used topically on dogs to moisturize the skin and help treat minor skin issues. It’s best to avoid feeding jojoba to your pup.

Benefits

The edible jojoba seeds contain potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, which are necessary for regulating various organ functions.
The jojoba oil is extracted from the jojoba seeds. The oil is often used to moisturize the skin and paws and help improve the dog's coat quality. It has been shown to be effective in treating skin conditions in dogs.

Risks

The nuts of the jojoba plant are edible with a flavor similar to almond. Although jojoba foliage and jojoba oil meal are eaten by wild animals, rodents, and livestock, there's no definitive information on its suitability on dogs.
The natural liquid wax in jojoba is not edible and should not be given to dogs.

Servings

The safest way to use jojoba is to apply a few drops of the oil on the affected skin or paws. Alternatively, the oil can be added to homemade dog shampoo.
Consult the vet before feeding your dog jojoba nuts or other parts of the jojoba plant.