Absolutely, when given in the right amounts, coconut oil has a number of health advantages for dogs.
The short answer is yes, coconut oil is beneficial for your dog’s health in a variety of ways. The following is a summary of how and why you should try adding this superfood to your dog’s diet.
How Can Coconut Oil Benefit Dogs? “In some circumstances, coconut oil can help support your dog’s immune system, coat, skin, heart, nervous system, and brain,” explains Dr veterinarian and holistic pet care expert Jane Morse practices in the Washington, D.C. area. C. area. Saturated fats, which make up the majority of coconut oil, are actually healthy fats. These triglycerides support your dog’s metabolism and increase absorption in the digestive tract, giving him more energy to play and run around with you or the neighborhood pet sitter.
These fats also help your dog’s thyroid function properly and prevent or manage diabetes. Additionally, triglycerides support the immune and digestive systems of your pet. The superfood also contains lauric acid, which has positive effects on both people and animals because it has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
How Much Coconut Oil Should You Give Your Dog? You must take your dog’s size into account when figuring out how much coconut oil to give him. You ought to “start with a low dose” to be safe, advises Dr. Morse. Use organic, pure coconut oil that is packaged in glass, she advises. ”.
According to Dr. Morse, depending on whether your dog is small, medium-sized, or large-sized, you should start by giving him a daily portion that is one-eighth of a teaspoon, one-fourth of a teaspoon, or one teaspoon. Then, after seeing how your dog responds to small doses, you should gradually increase his serving sizes by one teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight. Stop increasing your pet’s portion size once you reach a dose of one tablespoon daily.
It’s critical to understand these dosage guidelines because giving your dog too much coconut oil can be harmful. Diarrhea, vomiting, weight gain, lack of appetite and energy, abdominal pain, and bloating are a few adverse side effects to watch out for. Another indication that the recommended dosage may be too high is oily stools.
You must stop giving coconut oil to your dog right away if he exhibits any of these signs. A dog’s diet does not require coconut oil, according to Dr You shouldn’t be concerned if your pet is unable to tolerate it, according to Susan Lauten, owner of Pet Nutrition Counseling. Despite the potential benefits of this superfood, your pet can survive without it.
Some dogs love the taste and texture of coconut oil so much that they’ll lick it off a spoon like it’s candy, so how do you get your dog to take her coconut oil? The strong flavor and similarly oily texture of peanut butter mask coconut oil so well that your dog won’t even notice that it has been altered, so if this isn’t the case for your dog, don’t worry.
Coconut oil can also be added to wet dog food, pureed canned pumpkin, mashed cooked sweet potatoes, mashed organic blueberries, and even a teaspoon of plain yogurt. You can train your dog to become accustomed to the flavor and texture of the superfood by gradually increasing the proportion of coconut oil in these mixtures.
Check out My Dog Ate Chocolate but Seems OK: What Do I Do if you’re curious about what to do if your dog gets into the candy jar.
Freelance writer Cara Stevens resides in Connecticut with her husband, two kids, and a feisty Maltese-mix puppy. She has written several children’s books and frequently discusses parenting, hair care, do-it-yourself crafts, food, and healthy living.
* This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not a replacement for medical advice and neither is it implied to be giving it. Always seek medical advice from a professional before making any decisions about a condition or treatment plan. Neither Care. neither com nor the author accepts any liability with regard to the use of any information contained herein.
Access our nationwide network of caregivers with background checks by creating a free account. First Name.
Side Effects of Coconut Oil for Dogs
Itâs safe to feed your dog coconut oil. But some potential reactions or digestive problems can occur. If you give your dog too much coconut oil, they can get diarrhea. Your veterinarian will let you know a healthy amount to give your dog.Â
Your dog may occasionally be allergic to coconut oil. Signs of an allergy include an upset stomach and itching.
Coconut oil can cause your dog to gain weight. For every teaspoon of coconut oil you give your dog, add 120 calories. If your dog has pancreatitis, dont give them coconut oil. Â.
One study found that coconut oil effectively hydrates the skin of people with xerosis, a condition characterized by dry and itchy skin (1).
Don’t feed your dog coconut oil alone. Instead, mix it in with your dog’s regular food. This will keep its diet varied and nutrient dense.
There are a few things to think about before using coconut oil on your dog, even though side effects are uncommon.
Furthermore, using coconut oil excessively can result in weight gain due to its high calorie content.
Also, some studies have shown that coconut oil can cause high cholesterol in dogs. In extreme cases, this can cause fatty plaques to develop in the arteries (8, 9).
What Are the Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs?
But, and this is a big “but,” there is skepticism among scientists and veterinarians about all of these claims. According to Dr. Kathy Boehme at the Drake Center for Veterinary Care in California, while coconut oil has beneficial topical uses, its not the cure-all some believe it is. Before you make the decision to use it for whatever ails your dog, talk to your vet and take into account that there have been no credible studies proving that coconut oil aids in thyroid dysfunction, weight loss, gum and teeth diseases, or cancer prevention.
Additionally, coconut oil doesn’t meet your dog’s daily fat requirements. Omega-6 and omega-3 acids aren’t present in sufficient quantities in MCTs, and those that are present aren’t processed effectively. Regarding claims that MCTs can offer dogs significant protection from bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while lauric acid in MCTs does kill germs in lab tests, there is no conclusive evidence that it can be used in sufficient amounts to do so.
However, you and your veterinarian might decide that it’s worthwhile to try this natural and holistic approach given that so many pet owners are concerned about the excessive use of pharmaceutical antibiotics and anti-fungals.
FAQ
Can coconut oil upset a dog’s stomach?
The negative effects of coconut oil for dogs include diarrhea if you give your dog too much of it. You can find out how much food is healthy to give your dog from your veterinarian. Your dog may occasionally be allergic to coconut oil. Signs of an allergy include an upset stomach and itching.
Can coconut oil make dogs vomit?
It’s critical to understand these dosage guidelines because giving your dog too much coconut oil can be harmful. Diarrhea, vomiting, weight gain, lack of appetite and energy, abdominal pain, and bloating are a few adverse side effects to watch out for.
What should I do if my dog eats coconut oil?
Generally speaking, I would not be alarmed if your dog consumed small amounts of coconut oil. If your dog consumed a lot of coconut oil, I would keep an eye out for significant amounts of diarrhea and vomiting. I would speak with a veterinarian if the diarrhoea and vomiting persisted for more than 48 hours.
Is coconut oil OK for dogs to lick?
If your dog doesn’t like the taste of coconut oil, you can always mix it into his food. You can let your dog lick the coconut oil straight off of your spoon because some dogs love the taste. Make sure to look for unrefined or virgin coconut oil when purchasing coconut oil.