Mary Allen
Coconut oil has many uses in dogs. Whether for grooming, protection against ticks or in dog food, the fat from the flesh of the coconut has many positive properties. In this article, you will find out what is going on with the increasingly popular coconut oil for dogs and how you can use it with your four-legged friend.
What is Coconut Oil – and is it Dangerous for Dogs?
Coconut oil is a natural oil that can be gently extracted from the flesh of the coconut. It is already a commonly used ingredient in cosmetics and human hair and skincare products. The oil not only contains medium-chain fatty acids but also antioxidants that can strengthen the immune system. Lauric acid and caprylic acid make up more than half of these fatty acids. Lauric acid is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal (against fungi) and has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic (acting against fever) effects. Coconut oil is also a gentle product that contains no toxic substances for dogs.
It can not only be used for fur and paw care but can also stimulate the metabolism and protect against ticks, fleas and mites. Unlike other care products, coconut oil does not contain any harmful substances. Licking off the oil from the fur is therefore completely harmless. A word of caution: If your dog suffers from allergies, you should use the oil in small amounts first to avoid major allergic reactions. Feeding coconut oil to dogs with pancreatitis is not recommended. The same applies to animals with diabetes mellitus. We advise that feeding coconut oil, in particular, is best discussed with a veterinarian.
What are the Uses of Coconut Oil for Dogs?
Coconut Oil as a Skincare Product
As coat care, coconut oil not only uses the dog hair and the skin underneath but also provides it with intensive nutrients and stimulates coat growth. The vegetable fat liquefies supple hair, makes it easier to comb and can relieve itching on dry skin. In addition, the unpleasant smell in the fur came from a light coconut scent.
Thanks to coconut oil, dull fur and scaly skin should soon be a thing of the past. A small amount of vegetable fat is enough to care for the dog’s coat and the skin underneath. Take a small amount of the oil, warm it between your hands and rub it through your dog’s coat.
Coconut Oil for the Paws
Dogs’ paws are often very sensitive and, especially in winter, they are heavily stressed by road salt. Road salt can often lead to cracked or inflamed paws. Our four-legged friends’ paws have to withstand the heat of the asphalt even in summer. Coconut oil can help here, because smearing the paw pads with the oil protects against the weather, prevents injuries and keeps the paws supple.
Coconut Oil for Dogs as Protection Against Parasites Such as Ticks
Coconut oil offers particularly good protection against annoying ticks, mites, fleas, mosquitoes and other parasites. The annoying parasites are attacked and repelled by their fatty acids. Even in animals that have already decayed, coconut oil can help get rid of the parasites. The lauric acid contained in coconut oil successfully repels blood-sucking ticks, annoying horseflies, mosquitoes, mites and fleas. The fatty acid attacks the bug’s chitin armour and can even dissolve it. Especially in households where babies and small children are, coconut oil is a chemical-free substitute for tick collars, spot-on preparations or other anti-parasitic agents. Here, too, you simply rub the oil through the dog’s fur.
Ear mites can also be eliminated with vegetable fat. To do this, soak a cloth in liquid coconut oil and wipe your dog’s ears with it. But be careful: After jumping into the water, the oil washes off quickly and the effect wears off. Repeated use is recommended here.
Coconut Oil in Dog Food
Coconut oil contains a whole range of minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins. The vegetable fat is easy to mix with the daily feed and, if consumed regularly, strengthens the animal’s defences. In the intestine, the oil has another special effect: it balances the intestinal flora. the situation, it is difficult for worms and giardia to establish themselves in the intestines. Coconut oil can also boost metabolism. The medium-chain fatty acids in particular seem to be responsible for this effect.
However, you should not feed your four-legged friend a large amount of coconut oil. Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids, which are easily deposited in vessels and can lead to vascular blockage. This has already been observed in people who have consumed an increased amount of coconut oil.
Pros and Cons of Coconut Oil for Dogs
Benefits
- Coconut oil is a natural oil that can be extracted gently
- It is rich in medium-chain fatty acids
- Studies have shown a certain effect against fleas and mites
- It contains antioxidants that can strengthen the immune system
- External use on the pads of the dog’s paws protects the skin against road salt and the effects of the weather
- Non-toxic to dogs
Disadvantage
The fatty acids can be deposited in the vessels of the body
May cause an allergic reaction in some dogs
Not suitable for dogs with pancreatitis or diabetes
Overall, coconut oil has many positive properties, especially when used externally. Nevertheless, the oil should be used with caution when feeding the dog. Again, we recommend discussing feeding with coconut oil with a veterinarian. If the desired effect does not occur when feeding with coconut oil, the product should no longer be used.
Buy Coconut Oil for Dogs
Coconut oil for dogs can be easily purchased online or at most pet stores. However, the prices vary greatly depending on the quality and quantity.