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Most people find it funny when I tell them that my dogs get coconut oil with their dinner every night. We humans know all of the health benefits from consuming coconut oil, but did you know that our pets can also benefit from it too? I have been feeding my dogs coconut oil for years and I attribute several things to this fact.
- Their doggie breath and doggie smell is greatly reduced. I notice when I forget to give it to them that their breath starts to get worse again.
- My older dog, Burton, slipped on some ice several years ago and severely hurt his back leg. While it has been slow to heal, I feel that the coconut oil helped him absorb the nutrients he needed for healing, as well as helped him drop a couple pounds, which dramatically helped. His leg is back to normal now and he acts like a puppy, even at 9 years old. I can’t say the coconut oil specifically healed his leg, but I can say that I think it helped his body operate more efficiently when it came to healing the injury.
- Their coats and skin are in amazing shape. Healthy, soft, and full. No dandruff to be found.
- They don’t have as much tartar build-up on their teeth as they did prior to incorporating coconut oil into their diet.
If you want to learn more about how coconut oil can help your pets, how to feed it to them, etc., please read my post “Coconut Oil for Happy, Healthy Pets“.
20 Ways Coconut Oil Can Help Your Pets
- Improves or eliminates bad breath
- Helps control dry skin and dandruff
- Improve arthritis or other joint and ligament problems
- Helps with weight loss and control
- Helps treat fleas
- Soothes hot spots
- Helps control body odor
- Conditions skin and coat
- Helps balance thyroid issues
- Helps control yeast overgrowth
- Help heal cuts and wounds
- Use as a pad conditioner on dogs
- Helps boost energy
- Helps eliminate parasites
- Improves immune system
- Helps with furballs and coughing
- Improves nutrient absorption
- Helps with cognitive health
- Reduces or eliminates warts and fungal infections
- Heals udders on dairy goats and cows
Looking for more coconut oil info? I have an entire section of my site devoted to Coconut Oil & Health. Visit my Products I Love page for more info on coconut oil brands.
How do you use coconut oil in your pets diet? What would you add to this list? Leave a comment below! Also, feel free to share this image with your friends!
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how much coconut oil do you give – our dogs are older (10 yrs +/-) and about 12 lbs (Chihuahua mix)& 50 lbs (Sheba Inu). Both are overweight….
Hi Kay – This post will help with that question and there is also a video in it with a veterinarian who discusses how to feel coconut oil to pets: http://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2012/06/coconut-oil-for-healthy-happy-pets-why-its-good-and-how-to-use. Hope that helps! 🙂
will help your dog from shedding so much
I actually just started my fur-babies on coconut oil last night. I have no results yet, but I will share as soon as I have actual info. My son adopted a 9 yr. old Shih Tzu a couple of months ago, he was being treated for a skin infection when we got him. After much research and ups and downs with his skin health, I have come to understand that he is suffering a bacterial micro-organism that gets crazy when he gets a dry skin patch. I am using the vet recommended anti-microbial shampoo on him, but I am convinced there is a better way to keep his skin healthy and keep the old man going for many years to come. We also have a 6 yr old main coon cat, who is very sensitive to grains in his food (we are super strict about what they both eat), but kitty gets dry skin too. So last night, I was cooking with coconut oil, had read it was a healthy option for my critters, so I gave the dog a spoon dipped in the liquefied coconut oil. He sniffed, had an experimental lick, and then licked the spoon clean and begged for more. I drizzled a bit on his dinner (which he had not wanted to eat until I put the oil on). The cat got a teaspoon or so on his dinner plate also, he was curious at first then lapped it up like it was a treat. I am so hopeful that this works with both their skin and overall health.
Thanks for sharing Natasha! I hope you see some beneficial results! Cheers! 🙂
I see info about dogs, what about cats?
Coconut oil is great for cats too. Here’s an article that may be helpful: http://coconutoil.com/pets-and-coconut-oil-an-experiment-with-two-cats/
How much coconut oil do I give my dog? Can I put it in his food and on his coat to?
Hi Amanda! This post has specifics about how much to give: https://www.deliciousobsessions.com/2012/06/coconut-oil-for-healthy-happy-pets-why-its-good-and-how-to-use/. I just add it to their food, though you could use it on their coats if they need it. But keep in mind it can get a bit greasy so it might rub off on the floor, furniture, etc. Hope that helps and thanks for stopping by! 🙂