Coconut Oil: Why Your Pet Needs this Superfood

For centuries now, people around the world have been using coconut oil and now it is one of the trendiest supplements you can give to your dog or cat. While coconut oil is being studied as a cure for many different ailments and diseases around the world, people are starting to give it to their pets for the many well known health benefits.

Coconut oil is easily added to food, or applied topically. Unlike some fish oils, coconut oil has a pleasant smell and is highly palatable. You can even use it to get your finicky dog or cat to finish their food. Pure coconut oil below 75degrees is a solid, and above it a liquid. You should try giving both versions to your pet to find out their preference. Here are the five most important reasons you should give your pet coconut oil.

The Top 5 Reasons to Supplement Coconut Oil

1. Digestion and Nutrient Absorption:   Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids or MCFA's and these are digested differently than other fats. While the science is very complicated, in short these fats are broken down easier than other fats, and this causes less strain on the digestive system. They are also absorbed easier than other fats, which mean that the nutrients are almost immediately available for fuel.
   
   

   

   This dog clearly doesn't like his new low fat food.

   
   
2. Weight Loss and Increased Energy:   For dogs that need to lose weight, many people put their dog on a low calorie diet. While it works, it is an unnatural process as dogs need fats in their diet. Rather than buy a low fat food, you can supplement coconut oil. The MCFA's mentioned above do not get stored, as they are transported directly to the liver to be burned for fuel. This triggers the metabolism to increase beyond what is sent to the liver, and your pet loses weight naturally, through the use of GOOD fat. On a side note- it is much tastier than low fat pet food, so your pet will thank you!
   
   
3. Brain Health:   The main benefit coconut oil will bring your pet is improved cognitive function. Our brain cells need fuel, or they die. Most of the time the brain uses glucose as a fuel source, but the conversion process can create problems and inefficiencies within the cells. By using coconut oil which contains medium chain triglycerides, it allows the brain to use ketones as an alternative fuel source, repairing damage and boosting cognitive function. This is very important for pets of all ages, but especially the young and old.
   
   
4. Dental Health:   Coconut oil contains lauric acid which has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. By adding coconut oil to your pet's diet, or by brushing your pet's teeth with coconut oil, you will eliminate the bacteria that cause bad breath and gum disease. If the idea of brushing your pet's teeth doesn't appeal to you, there are some other things to try. For dogs, smear the coconut oil on their favorite chew. You can dip the ends of antlers in coconut oil to make an all-natural toothbrush, fill hollow marrow bones, or even just let them lick if off of your fingers.
   

   

   This dog has a lustrous skin and coat, look at it shine!

   
   
5. Skin and Coat:   Above all else, the most common reason people supplement coconut oil is to improve the skin and coat of their pet. Whether they want to alleviate dry, itchy skin, or if they want to cure hotspots or yeast infections, coconut oil is the perfect supplement to help. Coconut oil is one of the best natural moisturizers for your pet's skin and coat. To eliminate dryness and itchy skin, add coconut oil to the diet, and also use it topically on scabby areas. By adding the coconut oil topically, you will help to reduce itching by eliminating the inflammation that causes it. This will start the healing process. The look, feel, and smell of your pet's coat will improve with coconut oil. You can even apply it to their pads during winter to avoid cracking.
   
   It is also great for skin care as it can help treat and cure hotspots, yeast infections, or acne. The same anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties that help with dental health, also helps with these common skin problems, and because it is natural you don't have to worry about them licking it off.

How to Select your Coconut Oil

Now that you know why you should be supplementing coconut oil, you need to know what to look for when you go to buy your pets supplement. Not all supplements are created equal, and without careful consideration you might not be getting the desired health benefits. There are several keywords on the packaging that will clue you in on what type of quality is included in the jar. Here is a list of the most important keywords to look for:

These island cats know the value of eating coconuts.

• Extra Virgin
• Cold Pressed
• Organic
• GMO/GE Free 

The packaging will probably include many other marketing terms, but those have little value to you in your decision making process. The two most important keywords on this list are extra virgin and cold pressed. Extra Virgin coconut oil is the only coconut oil you should be buying. If you are buying virgin, or unnamed coconut oil it has been processed several times already, and the product is no longer as nutrient dense as it was previously. On top of that, there isn't much of a savings between the two. Similarly, Cold Pressed coconut oil ensures that they are not treating scrap coconut pieces with heat to extract the very last little bit of oil. The nutrients in this oil will not be as bio-available because of the extra processing.

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How much should I give?

This is the standard dosage, although you can alter it.

With coconut oil, you should give enough coconut oil to maximize the health benefits without causing digestive upset or loose stool. Generally speaking you should give 1 teaspoon for every 10lbs and 1 tablespoon for every 30 lbs, although you know your pet better than I. If your pet is experiencing stress, use less. If you are supplementing to improve certain conditions, and your pet has a healthy digestive system, use more. When using it topically, you can apply it as needed throughout the day.

Fish Oil or Coconut Oil?

Customers always ask us which type of supplement they should add to their pet's diet. The short answer is both. By including both or by rotating between both types of supplements you truly maximize the nutrition you are giving. Whether you give coconut oil one day and fish oil the next, or simply rotate once you run out of one, it shouldn't matter. Each supplement is better for some conditions versus the other, but both are better than not giving any at all. The one area coconut oil shines over fish oil is in purity. Unfortunately, fish oil can contain contaminants and toxins from where the fish were harvested and how it was preserved. If you are looking for an omega supplement but are concerned about heavy metal toxins, mercury, artificial preservatives or sustainability- than coconut oil is for you.