This is a question that has long been asked and is still hotly debated. With the health benefits of coconut oil being drawn out of plenty on more than one occasion, it can be fairly easy to get hooked on the stuff. However, can your furry friend actually partake in this miraculous product? Can dogs eat coconut oil?
The answer is yes! Dogs can eat coconut oil. Coconut oil has proven to raise HDL cholesterol levels in dogs as well as protect cell membranes from free radical damage. On top of all these things, it’s even been shown that when fed with a meal containing soy protein, the resulting casein molecules help manage your dog’s blood sugar levels and insulin resistance in order to prevent further health complications like obesity or diabetes later down the line.
And while it’s not recommended to feed too much coconut oil at once, you can add a teaspoon or so to your dog’s food as a healthy supplement.
In this article, we’ll tell you all about how to add coconut oil to your dog’s diet and what it is good for.
Coconut Oil, and Why Dogs Should Eat It
Coconut oil is a type of vegetable oil obtained from the meat of the coconut. They are organic and have got no added chemicals in them. It also has good taste, which means that your dog would really love it and there would not be any problem for him/her to consume it. The benefits that they can get are very wide. It is very good for the skin which means that you would not have to buy expensive dog shampoos anymore. It also has antibacterial properties which will help in the fight against infections. It is also very good for the immune system and it will be able to fight against any diseases that your dogs may get. Your dog can sustain a lot of energy from it, which he/she can use for running and playing games.
The Health benefits of giving coconut oil to canines are:
- Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties which can kill or inhibit the growth of multiple types of bacteria, yeast, and mold.
- Some studies have shown that coconut oil is effective in inhibiting anaerobic bacterial growth, which also fights off the aging process and creates a healthy environment for your pet’s immune system to function properly. It also improves metabolism and digestion in dogs.
- MCT is an essential fatty acid, and it is important for your dog’s energy production. In fact, MCT is the preferred energy source for cells in the body and accounts for all the ketones that are produced by your pet’s liver and brain. Coconut oil is rich in MCT. The MCTs are also easily digested and can pass through the digestive tract intact, where they provide nourishment to your dog’s cells.
- Coconut oil offers double-action benefits: It gives your pet a tasty treat while providing an excellent source of nutrition beneficial to your dog’s health.
- Coconut oil is a great source of dietary minerals such as zinc, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium (and therefore may be useful for treating conditions such as arthritis).
- Coconut oil is non-allergenic, so it may be useful for treating allergic reactions such as diarrhea, skin irritation, and itching.
- A study that was conducted in 2004 by the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University discovered that when dogs were fed corn oils (a type of vegetable oil) instead of a meat-based diet they gained a few extra pounds. However, the same study found that when dogs were fed a diet based on coconut oil they actually lost weight. This is interesting since it shows that coconut oil can act as an excellent source for weight loss for dogs.
- Coconut oil contains no trans fats and is therefore suitable for dogs with certain health conditions such as fatty liver disease or hypothyroidism.
Other Benefits of Coconut Oil For Dogs
- Coconut oil can be used as a natural deodorant for dogs. It will help decrease the number of bacteria on your dog’s skin. This can also help with the skin’s appearance, making it less likely to develop cuts and scrapes.
- Coconut oil acts as a natural moisturizer for your dog’s skin and hair. It also has antifungal properties which can prevent infections on your dog’s skin. Coconut oil will make it easier to brush your dog’s coat and reduce shedding.
Using coconut oil for dogs is a natural therapy. It is completely safe to use, and the majority of the studies on using coconut oil have shown it to be very effective.
Things To Be Careful Before Giving Coconut Oil To Dogs
The downside to coconut oil is that it isn’t the most nutritious oil that your pup can eat. The flesh of a coconut nut contains 12 grams of fiber and its starchy water provides 8 grams of sugar. 1 gram of saturated fat provides 9 calories, while 1 gram of unsaturated fat provides only 4 calories (1). So while eating the nuts themselves is good for you, if you want to boost your nutritional value, it’s best to consume them with other foods.
There are other two reasons why giving your dog coconut oil is a bad idea. The first is that it could cause him/her to become extremely thirsty. This is because coconut oil inhibits the absorption of sodium in the gut and causes excess water to be excreted through urination. If you see that your dog is drinking much more than normal, then it’s likely that this side effect has begun to show itself.
The second reason why you shouldn’t let your dog eat too much coconut oil is that it can cause diarrhea. This reason seems obvious as well, but it’s important to remember that diarrhea can quickly turn into dehydration if not properly attended to.
If your dog does start to exhibit any signs of diarrhea after eating coconut oil, then you should immediately take him/her to the vet. It’s important that you don’t let the condition run its course as this could result in several health complications for your pet in the long run.
Instead of coconut oil, you can also try adding virgin olive oil, shea butter, or even MCT oil.
How much coconut oil should you give your dog?
The answer to this question is not too much, but it’s not a precise amount so it’s best left to your discretion. In fact, the only accurate way for you to find out how much coconut oil your dog can consume would be by trying out various amounts and gauging his/her reactions. But the general rule of thumb is that a dog can easily go through two tablespoons of coconut oil per day, in theory.
If you want to skip the experiment, however, then a teaspoon of coconut oil should be more than enough. If you have any concerns about whether your dog will be able to digest it properly or not, then it would be best to give him/her smaller amounts at first and see how heshe goes with them.
Too much of a good thing can also be a bad thing, so always make sure you keep an eye on the amount of coconut oil your dog is consuming. If you’re using it as a vitamin supplement for dogs, do not give your dog more than about one tablespoon per day. If your dog’s body starts showing signs of toxicity, stop giving them coconut oil immediately and contact your vet.
And remember to always give it to them before their meal. This will help to increase digestibility and clear the intestinal tract of any parasites and toxins that may be residing there.
How Can You Feed Coconut Oil To Your Dog?
Coconut oil can be fed to dogs by adding it into their diet which can be either cooked with some other ingredients or boiled and put into a soft food such as meat, rice, vegetables, eggs, etc.
If you decide to feed a dog coconut oil, always be sure to talk to your veterinarian beforehand about any concerns or questions that arise around the nutritional intake. They will be able to provide any recommendations for how much or what you should feed your dog in order to make sure they are getting enough of the nutrients they need as well as getting an appropriate balance of nutrients without getting too many excess points from one major food source.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Coconut Milk?
Yes. Dogs can eat canned coconut milk.
Canned coconut milk, which is a common ingredient in food around the world, contains significant quantities of saturated fat. This saturated fat content is believed to help coconut oil increase your good HDL cholesterol and support cardiovascular health. It’s also been shown to aid in weight management and diabetes prevention.
Conclusion
Yes! Dogs can eat coconut oil. Adding a tablespoon of coconut oil to your dog’s diet each day could have numerous health benefits for them! The next time you give your pup their dinner, consider mixing up some ingredients with some coconut oil! But remember, don’t give your dog too much at once. It can easily make your dog sick if they consume too much.
Coconut water, coconut milk, and coconut in their most natural form are all equally healthy for dogs. Explore more coconut-related dog articles on coconut for dogs.
Have you ever tried feeding coconut oil to your dog? What was their reaction like? We would love to know. Please share with us your experience by leaving a comment below!