This post comes to us courtesy of Micah. She is our animal assistant at Good Shepherd Veterinary Clinic.
Fed regularly to pets, coconut oil can have many health benefits. It can help their skin, digestive and immune systems. Here are some reasons to add coconut oil to your dog’s diet:
- Coconut oil improves overall skin health, and clears up many skin conditions.
- Incredibly emollient, coconut oil helps moisturize the driest skin and makes a dog’s coat gleam with health.
- Applied topically to the skin, coconut oil promotes the healing of cuts, wounds, bites, and stings.
- The antibacterial and anti fungal properties of coconut oil help reduce doggy odor, and its pleasantly tropical aroma imparts a delightful scent to a dog’s skin and coat.
- Digestion and nutrient absorption are improved by the addition of coconut oil to a dog’s diet. It can, however, cause stool to loosen.
- If given regularly, it can improve your pets coat, making it shinier and smoother.
-Coconut Oil can be purchased at your local grocery store by the cooking oils, or in the organic section. Unrefined coconut oil as a slight coconut smell to it, and refined coconut oil has no odor.
Dosage
– For small dogs and cats, give 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds, on food twice a day
– For larger dogs, give 1 tablespoon per 30 pounds, on food twice a day.
Animals usually love the taste of coconut oil, so it can be eaten straight of the spoon. Or add to a picky eater’s food.
Melting
Melting the coconut oil makes it easier to mix with food. Coconut oil melts at 76°, so it is very simple to melt. Just place the amount of coconut oil you want to melt in a small bowl and place in a lager bowl filled with hot or warm water.
*Do not microwave coconut oil as it can break down the oil.
Applying the oil directly to skin can be very messy, and is not recommended unless it can be shampooed off soon after application.
Good Shepherd Veterinary Clinic 