Benefits Of Coconut Oil for Dogs
Coconut Oil given orally supports your pet’s metabolism, reduces inflammation, promotes oral health, balances hormones, eases joint pain, improves digestion, protects organ function, improves heart health, thyroid function and healthy skin and coat.
Coconut Oil can also be applied topically. It is a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal which promotes wound healing and prevents and treats yeast infections. Coconut oil for skin is an excellent moisturizer, it can penetrate hair better than other oils, and, well it smells like cookies.
Coconut Oil Benefits
Coconut Oil for Hair/Fur
This nourishing oil has been used for centuries in hair and its unique fat composition makes it especially beneficial for certain hair types.Healthy Skin and Coat
Aids flea allergies, contact dermatitis and itchy skin, Minimizes doggy odor, Reduces allergic reactions, Creates sleek and glossy coats, Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections. When applied topically coconut oil promotes wound healing. Also can help with hot spots, dry skin and hair, bites and stings.Digestive Help
The concentration of beneficial fats in coconut oil makes it helpful for digestion. Its antimicrobial properties can help fight irritation and infection in the gut from Candida. Increases nutrient absorption, Helps with colitis and inflammatory bowel syndrome, Reduces or eliminates bad breath, and Helps with coughing.Great Source of Healthy Fats
Over 50% of the fat in coconut oil is lauric acid. In fact, coconut oil is the richest source of lauric acid after breastmilk.Mental Boost
Studies show MCTs may contribute to focus and mental performance. MCTs make a quick energy source because they don’t rely on other enzymes for absorption in your body. On the ketogenic diet, MCTs are a source of fat that can quickly boost energy levels by increasing ketone production effectively.Hormone Support
Getting the wrong kinds of fats can create havoc on hormones. Coconut oil contains specific fats that support the dog’s natural hormone production.Immune Support
The MCTs (including lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid) have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it beneficial for immune support.Great Fat for Cooking
Coconut oil is a stable oil that doesn’t break down easily at high temperatures like other oils do. It doesn’t go rancid easily and has amazing nutritional properties. It is great for cooking meat for Volhard diets and making treats!
Key Benefits of Coconut Oil
Technically, the benefits we seek actually come from something called MCTs — Medium Chain Triglycerides. We also find MCTs in Dairy products like Whole Milk Yogurt & Butter / Ghee. (Your dog’s will love those too!)
MCTs Benefits Include:
Reduces Oxidative Stress
Support the Digestive System: Liver, Gut Health
Added Energy for performance dogs / seniors
Doesn’t increase digestive stress on diabetics
Increases palatability of foods
Reduce Inflammation*
Support Brain Health & Cognitive Function
May support blood sugar / diabetics
May reduce seizure
Antimicrobial
Common Diets Inclusive Of Coconut Oil
Keto Diet for Dogs / Cancer Diets
Diets where we need higher fats / more calories
Seizure Diet: *MCT Oils - Multi-chain Triglycerides have been shown to contribute to the reduction of idiopathic seizures in dogs. Read Our Post: on Seizures and MCT Oil
What you Need To Know About Coconut Oil
One teaspoon of coconut oil contains about 40 calories.
Calories add up quickly for small dogs who only need around 200 calories per day. You may not want a 20% of your dog’s diet to be coconut oil!
As you add this fat and its caloric content — you may be tempted to adjust your food volume or ingredient make-up in other ways. This could over time lead to a reduction (deficiency) in the other nutrients your dog needs for good health. Think vitamins, minerals, protein, etc.
About 50% of the MCTs in Coconut oil come from something called Lauric Acid. While it is arguably an MCT — many experts believe that it functions quite differently in the body. Some of the arguments against Lauric Acid include:
It may contribute to inflammation in the digestive system. Some argue that it can cause Leaky Gut. So certainly if we have a dog with leaky gut this may not be the wisest choice for fat options in the diet. A Good Omega 3 Oil will offer many benefits without the Lauric Acid.
We know that inflammation is a common factor of issues like allergies, autoimmune, and other diseases. So it’s complicated and tricky!
Certainly something to consider if these are factors for your per or if you’re having issues you just can’t seem to resolve or may be worsening the longer you use Coconut Oil in your diet.
One of the best things we may consider is — all things in moderation! Don’t get into a long-term rut of using the same foods & ingredients over and over for long periods of time. Variety and rotation can be extremely beneficial.
Shop for High Quality Coconut Oil From CocoTherapy
When dosing Coconut Oil, begin with 1/4 tsp for small dogs. It doesn’t take much! Then try to increase your way to 1tsp per 10 pounds of body weight. You’ll know you have too much if weight gain begins or if things become a little loose on exit.