Nowadays more and more people are looking for healthier and more natural products for both nutrition and whole body care. In this article we will talk about coconut oil for dogs.
What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is an extract made from coconut pulp and coconut milk. Like all vegetable oils, coconut oil contains a mixture of different fatty acids. Fatty acids can be converted into energy, but have additional effects on the body.
Lauric acid and carboxylic acid together make up over half of these fatty acids. Both fatty acids have been at least partially researched. Lauric acid has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal (against fungi) and has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic (against fever) potential. Because of many positive properties, coconut oil is safe to use for dogs as well.
How Coconut Oil Benefits Dogs
Various fats and oils are used in the production of dog. Animal and vegetable fats are also commonly added to feed. Coconut oil has also become more widely used recently.
Coconut oil has a high content of medium chain fatty acids and is well digested. The medium-chain fatty acids in it improve metabolism and increase energy consumption than the longer-chain fatty acids.
Also, according to scientists, coconut oil is unique in that it contains a large amount of lauric acid, which is typical of breast milk and is not typical of vegetable oil or animal fats. The lauric acid content is about 50% of the total content of saturated fatty acids.
The presence of this acid gives coconut oil some distinctive properties. Lauric acid has antiviral and antibacterial properties and can be said to be a natural antibiotic.
In addition, coconut oil does not have allergenic properties, reduces atopic dermatitis in animals when used externally, and when ingested reduces the inflammatory processes in the intestine, improves digestion and the immune system.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs
- Promotes wound healing;
- Maintains coat shine;
- Reduces allergic reactions;
- Protects against infections;
- Reduces itching;
- Helps fight dry skin;
- Eliminates bad skin and fur odor;
- Improves digestion and nutrient absorption;
- Supports normal thyroid function;
- Improves oral health;
- Supports good nervous system and brain function
How to Give Coconut Oil to Dogs
The optimal amount of coconut oil is 1 teaspoon of 4,5 kilograms of dog weight. It is recommended not to give the full daily norm at once – first divide it by 4, and gradually increase (if you give too much coconut oil, the dog may have diarrhea). If you notice skin rashes, you can apply coconut oil to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.
Are There Any Risks in Giving Coconut Oil to My Dog?
Coconut oil does not contain any ingredients that are toxic to dogs, so it is safe to say that there should not be any risks. However, some dogs can be allergic to coconut. So if your dog has other allergies, you should test coconut oil carefully.
Dogs with certain pre-existing conditions should not be fed coconut oil. First and foremost, dogs with diabetes mellitus. The oil is metabolized into ketones in the body. Due to an increased accumulation of ketones, the organs of dogs that have diabetes, are often heavily burdened. No additional ketones should therefore be produced, as this can lead to organ damage.
Feeding coconut oil to animals with pancreatitis (medical for inflammation of the pancreas) is controversial. Increased fat intake can damage the pancreas. However, over half of coconut oil can be absorbed into the circulation without activating the pancreas or bile. If in doubt, you should consult with your veterinarian.
Coconut Oil For Skin
Coconut oil can be used as a dietary supplement as well as a cream. Using it as a cream moisturizes dry skin and is one of the oldest skin care products. The oils are easily absorbed into the upper layers of the skin and can strengthen the skin. Of course, coconut oil should only be applied after consultation with veterinarian. It is best that he inspects the dog and assess whether a certain area of skin can be lubricated with coconut oil. Otherwise, under the fat layer, certain bacteria can grow well and even worsen the situation.
Coconut oil is also suitable for wounds:
- Coconut oil relieves itching and can therefore provide your dog with optimal support for wounds from operations. In addition, it reduces scarring.
- Unlike creams with chemical ingredients, licking off the oil will not harm your animal. That is why coconut oil is even more suitable for injuries in the mouth.
Final Thoughts
There has been a lot of talk about coconut oil lately. There is no doubt that coconut oil is really good for people, but sometimes the question still arises as to whether this oil can be given to dogs and how much of it will not be harmful.
It is always recommended to choose organic unrefined coconut oil whose jar or bottle was opened not more than 6 months ago, and this oil can have really tangible benefits not only for us, but also for our pets.