March 3, 2022
You’ve probably heard that coconut oil is healthy for humans in a plethora of ways, but did you know that there are benefits of coconut oil for dogs, too? Coconut oil can be anti-inflammatory and antifungal. Coconut oil is also healthy for dogs to consume mixed in with their food. Read on to learn three amazing benefits of coconut oil for dogs!
Coconut Oil Helps Dogs’ Skin and Hair
Coconut oil is procured through the pressing of coconut meat. The unrefined oil or virgin oil that comes from coconuts is beneficial to your dog in multiple ways. One of those ways is that coconut oil nourishes and moisturizes your dog’s skin and hair.
If oil is applied to your dog’s skin, it can make the hair glossier. Coconut oil can penetrate hair fibers, so it’s not just layered on top of the hair; it’s actually in the hair, enriching it and nourishing it.
To apply coconut oil to your dog’s skin and fur, rub a small amount onto your hands. Pat your oiled hands onto your dog’s hair. Lightly massage the oil into your dog’s skin and run your fingers through your dog’s coat. Bear in mind that a little goes a long way.
Coconut Oil May Fight Off Pests Naturally
Another huge benefit to external use of coconut oil is that it may fight off new parasites like ticks, fleas, and mange mites. Evidence also shows that coconut oil can get rid of existing pests and help heal wounds caused by pest bites. Of course, you should always consult with your veterinarian first if your pup is showing signs of an infection.
Additional studies related to coconut oil, dogs, and pests suggest that bacterial, fungal, and viral agents are killed by coconut oil.
Given that the only risk of external coconut oil use with your dog pertains to allergic reaction, there seem to be no negative side effects to applying coconut oil to your dog’s skin and hair for the moisturizing or pest-fighting benefits.
Coconut Oil Can Help Improve Doggy Digestion
Another benefit of coconut oil for dogs is that coconut oil improves doggy digestion. Even if your dog is already healthy and enjoys a high-quality, natural diet, adding coconut oil to your dog’s food or even whipping up a few treats made with coconut oil can have additional benefits.
Importantly, if your dog is overweight or is vulnerable to saturated fat health issues, then you should consult your veterinarian before introducing coconut oil into your dog’s diet. You’ll also want to work with your veterinarian to determine how your dog’s food serving sizes should be adjusted to ensure your dog does not gain weight from a surplus of calories.
When feeding your dog coconut oil, you should never give them the oil directly; it should always be mixed with other food. To start, give ¼ tsp to a small dog and a tbsp to a large dog. As they increase their tolerance, you can increase the amount. At maximum, you should not give more than 1 tsp per 10 pounds to your dog.
While mixing coconut oil into your dog’s wet food diet is one strategy, there are many delicious dog food and treat recipes that include coconut oil such as:
- Healthy homemade peanut butter coconut oil dog treats
- Coconut oil and mint dog treats
- Frozen coconut oil and blueberry dog treats
The natural ingredients made with these delicious treats make a great way for your dog to get a daily dose of delicious, healthy coconut oil. As we said, a little goes a long way, so just a little a day allows your dog to enjoy all of the benefits of coconut oil for canines!
Coconut oil is just one natural ingredient with lots of health benefits. Other nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and more can and should be obtained through a balanced diet of natural foods such as those made by Wellness Pet Food. Wellness Pet Food takes pride in creating a variety of dog food recipes that dogs and their owners love!
