Is Coconut Oil Good For Dogs?

Coconut oil is trending and for a good reason. It’s an extremely versatile product and has plenty of benefits – you can’t count all of them on two hands. And do you want to know what’s even better? Your dog benefits from coconut oil too!

So let’s see why coconut oil is good for dogs:

Your dog gets healthier skin

Coconut oil contains 90% saturated fat. You might ask: “Isn’t that unhealthy?” But in this case, the answer is no. This is because of coconut oil’s secret weapon: MCT (Medium chain triglyceride). This is good fat that reduces allergy reactions and improves skin health.

Now let’s dig a bit deeper and see how coconut oil has an impact on the digestive system:

Better digestive system

Coconut oil’s good fat, MCT (Medium chain triglyceride), supports the digestion and gives a helping hand when it comes to nutrient absorption.

The triglycerides are built up by fatty acids. Coconut oil contains 64% medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs – read more about it here). The gastrointestinal tract easily absorbs the MCFAs. They travel directly to the liver and are metabolized into utilizable energy.

We know this is a bit complicated, so to break it down: Your pup feels more energized and comfortable in his every day because more nutrients are absorbed.

And it’s not only healthier skin and a better digestive system he achieves. Coconut oil also improves the immune system:

A stronger immune system

The medium chain fatties, MCFAs, contain 48% lauric acid. Lauric acid has antibacterial properties which can help to prevent infections. Therefore, your dog’s immune system is strengthened.

What’s even crazier is that it may have an impact on cancer. Try to take a look at this article – it’s about a dog owner who thinks coconut oil contributed to fighting cancer in his dog. However, the topic still needs research – it’s not 100% proven that coconut oil helps cure cancer.

Helps to maintain a healthy weight

As mentioned above, MCFAs are metabolized into utilizable energy. Your dog will experience an enhanced energy level and he will be more active and happy in general – what’s not to like?

How do I apply coconut oil to my dog’s every day?

It depends on your dog’s size. If you have a small pup 1/4 teaspoon per day is sufficient. A larger dog needs slightly more – about one teaspoon per day. Again, it depends on the size, so your vet may provide you with a better answer.

You can also try rubbing a small amount of coconut oil onto your hands and apply it to your dog’s skin. This may help if your dog has skin issues such as flaking skin.

Everything in moderation

Coconut oil is a great health booster. As shown above, you can use it in different ways, for instance, as a shampoo to help eczema. However, everything in moderation. Too much coconut oil can do more harm than good – a classic example is diarrhoea. So if you’re in doubt about how to use coconut oil in a reasonable way, check this link or contact your vet. As always, PledgeCare has made it easy for you. We add a perfect amount of coconut oil in our air-dried dog food. Then you don’t have to worry at all. Learn more about our dog food here.