Coconut trees are grown in tropical countries primarily for their high oil content, widely used in food and non-food industries. It is known as The Tree of Life because of the number of products and by-products that can be made from it. But did you know there are advantages of giving coconut oil to your dog?
Coconut oil lowers the risk of cancer and other degenerative diseases, improves cholesterol levels and aids in the fight against heart disease, improves digestion and nutrient absorption, heals digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, and colitis, relieves arthritis, and has many other benefits.
How is Coconut Oil Processed?
Coconut oil is solid at temperatures below 78°F because it is a healthy fat containing 80%–90% saturated fat. Though saturated fat sounds terrible, it is made up of fatty acids, the primary of which is lauric acid, which is very beneficial.
Coconut oil is produced using fresh coconut meat or copra, a dried coconut product. Virgin coconut oil is made from fresh coconut meat instead of refined oil derived from copra. The following significant terms can be seen on labels for coconut oil:
Expeller-Pressed
This mechanical method of separating the oil from the coconut meat frequently involves heat.
Cold-Pressed
This technique keeps the temperature during the extraction process below 120°F, which is supposed to help naturally preserve the nutrients in the oil.
Refined
The dried coconut is mechanically heated to remove the oil from the copra. Some extraction procedures can involve the use of chemicals like hexane.
After being heated or steam-treated to remove odors, the oil is filtered through clay to eliminate bacteria and contaminants. The smoke point of refined coconut oil is greater, and it has no smell. This oil has been partially hydrogenated to increase its shelf life, although it still contains trans fats.
MCTs (Medium Chain Triglycerides) are considered beneficial fats in coconut oils. It is crucial to remember that commercial brands of coconut oil do not contain as much MCT content as coconut oil that has been carefully produced, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. This does not imply that there are no MCTs, just that there are fewer in commercial coconut oil. In addition, coconut oil contains many lauric acids, which have many advantages.
How Can Coconut Oil Benefit Dogs
Coconut oil has a variety of advantages for canines, including Antifungal Properties.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) evaluated different items, including coconut oil and chlorhexidine, to assess their effectiveness against fungi. Even though the study focused on kids rather than dogs, many of the same fungus-related problems affect humans and dogs.
Both were discovered to be powerful antifungal treatments. Chlorhexidine is the main component of many prescription shampoos for dogs with fungal infections.
One of our dogs suffers from terrible skin allergies, but after using coconut oil for some of her illnesses, I noticed a noticeable improvement. Chlorhexidine is safe to use. However, I prefer coconut oil because it moisturizes my dog’s skin.
Coconut oil is helpful as a topical antimicrobial treatment for various bacteria strains, including Staphylococcus aureus. Coconut oil study has, sadly, not been extensively studied. However, some recent research indicates that this treatment is effective against bacterial infections.
I’ve had great success applying coconut oil topically on both myself and my dogs. Before using coconut oil to treat an infection, it is important to get in touch with your veterinarian because no single medication can eradicate all bacteria.
When coconut oil shampoo was tested to see if it could eliminate fleas and ticks, the result was a resounding yes! Even better, it works well against mites and lice. When high coconut concentration shampoos were applied to dogs with flea, tick, mite, or lice infestations, they discovered that the dogs could get rid of these parasites within 24 hours.
In addition, as coconut oil functions as a topical antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory treatment, the bites from the parasites also improved.
Coconut oil is excellent for wound care because it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and speeds up healing. An increase in fibroblast proliferation, which is crucial for fostering tissue repair, was seen in a study.
Additionally, they observed an increase in neovascularization, or the organic expansion of new blood vessels, in the same sample.
Why Should You Start Using Coconut Oil for Your Dogs?
Enhances Skin Health – Coconut oils also aid in the relief of dermatitis-related symptoms such as skin irritations, insect bites, or dry skin. On the other hand, coconut helps hydrate and calm the skin because of its high fat and lauric acid content. It can be used as a shampoo or on tiny areas.
Natural Paw Balm – Our dogs’ paws can occasionally become rather dry and scratchy, and they are also prone to burns, tears, and wounds on the underside of their pads. It’s fantastic to use coconut oil to treat these wounds, but it’s even better to use it as a preventative measure.
However, coconut oil can help hydrate the pads to become more elastic and robust. When dog paws are dry and brittle, they can easily break or incur injury.
How to Administer Coconut Oil for Our Dogs?
Before doing anything, always seek advice from a veterinarian because using too much coconut oil can cause an upset stomach and oily, uncomfortable feces.
Even though the majority of the uses above involve topical remedies, coconut oil can also be taken orally in doses of 1 tablespoon for 30 pounds each day. It is important to note that giving coconut oil to your dog carries some health hazards, such as severe stomach distress, allergic reaction, pancreatitis from the high-fat content, and obesity.
Giving orally helps get rid of and prevent pests like fleas, mites, ticks, and lice. If you give your dog coconut oil, start with 1/4 to 1/2 the suggested dose to lower the risk of an upset stomach. You can gradually increase to the full amount over a week or two. You can offer it to them as a treat or add it to their food.
When applying topically, it is preferable to use a tiny amount and avoid spreading it too widely on the diseased area. Allow it to absorb for five minutes, then gently cleanse the area to prevent it from getting greasy and blocking your dog’s pores.
It is nothing to worry about if you don’t remove the extra, and it clogs your dog’s pores; it is just like a blackhead. If you wash the area with mild soap and pat it dry, it should go away in a few days.
Always consult with a specialist before giving your dog medical attention because your vet is the one who understands it best. And if your dog’s condition worsens or does not get better in a day or two, discontinue the medication and consult your veterinarian.