Can I replace wheat germ oil?
Wheat germ oil is commonly used in home-cooked dog food, but can you replace it?
Why wheat germ oil is used in home-cooked dog diets
Wheat germ oil is commonly used in home-cooked dog diets because it serves two important purposes at the same time: - It is a natural source of vitamin E, an essential antioxidant - It provides essential fatty acids, especially linoleic acid (omega-6), plus fat and calories that are part of the diet’s balance In other words, wheat germ oil is not added “just for vitamin E.” It plays a structural role in the recipe. That said, some dogs do not tolerate wheat germ oil well. Some dislike the taste, some develop loose stools, and in elimination diets it may need to be removed entirely. When that happens, it’s important to understand what you are actually removing from the diet—and what must be replaced.
Example: 5g of wheat germ oil
5 g wheat germ oil provides approximately: - 7–8 mg vitamin E (= 11–12 IU) - Linoleic acid (omega-6) - Fat and calories that are already accounted for in the recipe This is the reference point we must replace correctly.
Did you know?
Fat provides more than twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates! - Fat: 9 kcal per gram - Protein: 4 kcal per gram - Carbohydrates: 4 kcal per gram This means that 5 g of wheat germ oil provides about 45 calories! When wheat germ oil is removed from a recipe, you’re not just removing vitamin E—you’re also removing a meaningful amount of energy.
Example: 5g of wheat germ oil
What happens if you remove the oil? If wheat germ oil is removed and replaced only with: - vitamin E drops, or - vitamin E capsules then you are not just removing oil. You are also removing: - essential fatty acids - linoleic acid (omega-6) - fat and calories Removing the oil changes the fat balance, the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, and the total calorie content of the recipe.
Replacement option #1
### Vitamin E drops Vitamin E drops can be used to replace the vitamin E provided by wheat germ oil. However, the exact amount must be calculated based on the product’s stated vitamin E concentration. As a reference, 5 g wheat germ oil provides approximately 7–8 mg (11–12 IU) vitamin E. Because vitamin E drop products vary widely in strength, no universal ml or “drop” dose can be given. Important: Vitamin E drops replace vitamin E only. They also remove fat, linoleic acid, and calories from the diet. This means an additional oil must be added to replace the fatty acids. A practical replacement is to add 5 g of another vegetable oil that is rich in linoleic acid, for example: - 5 g sunflower oil - 5 g safflower oil - 5 g corn oil This replaces: - the fat and calories - the omega-6 fatty acids (linoleic acid) that were originally provided by wheat germ oil. Vitamin E must then be replaced separately, based on the product used.
Why not olive oil?
Olive oil is often seen as a “healthy” oil, but it is not suitable as a replacement for wheat germ oil in home-cooked dog diets. This is because olive oil is: - low in linoleic acid (omega-6) - very high in oleic acid (omega-9), which is not essential for dogs Wheat germ oil is used partly because it contributes essential omega-6 fatty acids. When olive oil is used instead, the diet may still contain fat and calories — but it can become deficient in linoleic acid.
Replacement option #2
### Vitamin E capsules This can work, but is less practical. Most vitamin E capsules are made for humans and typically contain 400 IU or more per capsule. For comparison: - 5 g wheat germ oil provides - 11–12 IU vitamin E - One 400 IU capsule provides - 400 IU That means one capsule contains more than 30 times the amount of vitamin E a dog needs from wheat germ oil. In practice, this means: - Only a very small fraction of a capsule is required - The capsule must be opened, and the contents divided very carefully Just like vitamin E drops: An additional oil is still required to keep the diet balanced.
Replacement option #3
### Sunflower seeds This is the only realistic whole-food alternative. Sunflower seeds contain vitamin E and linoleic acid, but in a much lower concentration than oils. For comparison: - 5 g wheat germ oil provides ~7–8 mg vitamin E, fat, and linoleic acid - 20–25 g sunflower seeds are needed to provide a similar amount of vitamin E In practice, this means: - A much larger volume than 5 g oil - Seeds must be finely ground for dogs - The recipe gains significantly more calories Oil vs sunflower seeds: 5 g wheat germ oil → 45 kcal (pure fat) 20–25 g sunflower seeds → 115–145 kcal (pluss extra fiber)
A final note
We understand that this may feel complicated, frustrating, or even overwhelming. Building a balanced diet from scratch does require understanding, precision, and effort. Commercial pet foods take a very different approach. Vitamin E is typically added as part of a mineral premix, and fats or oils are mixed into the food long before it is eaten — often stored for long periods, where oxidation can occur over time. In a home-cooked diet, the approach is different. Ingredients are added fresh, oils are not sitting in the food for months, and each component has a clear nutritional role. This means the quality and nutritional integrity of the diet are fundamentally different — even if the process is less convenient. There is no “easy shortcut” when formulating a proper home-cooked diet. But for those willing to learn and take the extra steps, the result is a level of control, freshness, and nutritional quality that commercial diets cannot replicate. And that effort matters.
My recommendation
If your dog does not like or tolerate wheat germ oil, the easiest and most practical solution is to separate the roles: 1. Replace vitamin E using vitamin E drops 2. Add one of the suggested oils that is rich in linoleic acid (for example sunflower, safflower, or corn oil) to replace the fat, calories, and omega-6 fatty acids originally provided by wheat germ oil