Coconut Oil for Dogs – Health Benefits & Uses

What is in coconut oil, and is coconut oil good for dogs?  Coconut oil is an extraction from the meat of mature coconuts, harvested from the coconut palm.  It has gained a lot of popularity because there are so many benefits to using coconut oil for ourselves and for our pets.

The Importance Of Adding Oils To Your Dog’s Diet

You are probably aware of the benefits of adding oils to your dog’s diet.  Oils contain essential fatty acids and nutrients that are important to your dog’s health.  For many dog owners however, this can be a confusing topic.  We often get asked what oils are good for dogs, especially since it is recommended to rehydrate Olewo Carrots for Dogs with a small amount of oil.

Many sources talk about your dog’s need for Omega 3.  This is not an Omega-3 oil, but there are so many health benefits associated with coconut oil for dogs that it is impossible to cover them all in this article.

What does Coconut Oil consist of?

Coconut oil consists of more than 90% saturated fats.  All fats and oils are composed of triglycerides, and coconut oil is composed primarily of medium-chain triglycerides.  These Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) offer tremendous health benefits.  They are easy for the body to burn as fuel for energy.

There are many different MCFAs in coconut oil including three unique fatty acids that are responsible for various health benefits:

• Lauric acid
• Capric acid
• Caprylic acid

Lauric acid is the most prevalent, providing the macronutrients that are vital to health.  Lauric acid is abundantly present in the breast milk of humans and other mammals, providing the building blocks of growth and good health.  Coconuts are the single best source of lauric acid, which is why coconut oil is an ingredient in many infant formulas.  Lauric acid is a large part of what makes coconut oil especially healthy.

Some people question the health benefits of coconut oil because it is a saturated fat.  The truth about saturated fats is that there are many types of them, some good and some bad.  Because coconut oil is derived from a plant source, it is very different from the saturated oils derived from an animal product.

Coconut oil for dogs is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation in the body, which is a major contributor to many diseases.  Because of the oil’s unique properties that provide antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial benefits, the health uses are just about limitless.

Coconut oil is my personal favorite.  I use it daily, not only for cooking and some applications in beauty and skin care, but I also use it to rehydrate Olewo Carrots for our Dogs.  Just like carrots, coconut oil is another versatile health food.  It makes perfect sense to me to combine the two for optimal results when it comes to the health of my pets.

Coconut Oil Benefits for Dogs

Digestive Support

Coconut oil for dogs is easy to digest and promotes the growth of healthy probiotics in the digestive tract.  The antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties help control parasites and fungi, while helping with the absorption of essential nutrients.

Relieves Constipation

Coconut oil can help relieve constipation and bloating.  The oil penetrates the digestive tract and kills harmful bacteria to allow the gut flora to re-balance and keep things running smoothly.

Soothes Skin Allergies and Irritations

Skin allergies, irritations, hot spots, insect bites, cuts and other wounds can be soothed and help the healing with a topical application.  It helps heal dry and cracked pads and elbow calluses.  Also helps keep insects off your dogs including ticks, and makes coat sleek and shiny.  Since coconut oil is edible, there is no health risk like with other salves if your dog licks it off.

Helps Ear Infections

Coconut Oil actually makes a great ear cleaner because it is antibacterial and antimicrobial.  If your dog’s ears are pink inside, it is probably due to an infection or inflammation, or it could be caused by parasites.  Coconut oil will address all of these issues.  Use it just like any other ear cleaner.  Put some down in your dog’s ears and then rub it in, especially at the base of the ear.  After a minute let the dog shake its head, and then clean the oil out with a dry cloth.

Kills Candida

Coconut Oil contains caprylic acid, which has antimicrobial properties that can kill yeast and candida.  In addition to adding coconut oil to your dog’s diet, apply pure coconut oil directly to affected areas twice a day.

Boosts Immunity

The three unique fatty acids lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid mentioned above provide strong antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that have an immune boosting effect.  By fighting these elements in the body, the immune system will be able to respond more efficiently when attacked.

Fights Inflammation

Inflammation is one of the leading causes of many chronic diseases, and there are studies that support regular consumption of virgin coconut oil to help fight inflammation.  Coconut oil supports both a healthy liver and kidneys.

Stabilizes Blood Sugar

Coconut oil can help balance blood sugar levels and has been medically proven to improve diabetes in humans.  I would assume the same applies to pets.

What Kind Of Coconut Oil Should You Buy?

It is important to choose Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, which is an unrefined coconut oil that is extracted from fresh coconut meat rather than from dried coconut.  The oil is separated from the water and fermented to ensure the health benefits are retained.

Avoid using refined coconut oil as these are mass-produced, typically through a chemical distillation process.  The coconuts are bleached and deodorized to make them more palatable for the consumer.

It is not necessary to buy coconut oil that is specifically marketed as a pet supplement.  The coconut oil is not any different than those sold for human consumption, except the pet product is likely to be more expensive.

How Much Coconut Oil Should You Give Your Dog?

• You can use 1 tsp for every 10 lbs of your dog’s body weight as a daily supplement
• Start with only 1/2 that amount, or even just 1/4 of the amount to avoid loose stool
• Then increase the amount gradually up to the recommended dose

If you are using coconut oil together with Olewo Carrots, you won’t have to worry about your dog getting loose stool, but I still recommend starting slowing and working up gradually anytime you introduce something new to your dog’s diet.

More Coconut Oil Uses for Yourself and Your Household

So we have learned that coconut oil for dogs can be very beneficial to their health. If you are interested in more creative uses for yourself and around your household, I recommend reading Dr. Axe’s article 77 Coconut Oil Uses.