The Top 10 Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs

Coconut Oil is well known to provide many therapeutic benefits for both humans and dogs, being classified as one of the rare “superfoods”.  We will also be touching on products that combine Coconut Oil with CBD.  CBD, short for cannabidiol, has its own record of providing benefits to our pets through relieving joint pain, reducing anxiety and promoting overall health.  Combining both elements creates a powerful combination that has dozens of benefits for your four-legged friends.  Let’s explore some basics about Coconut Oil and then focus on the top 10 potential health benefits for your dog.

What is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is oil that has been extracted from mature coconuts from one of everyone’s favorite trees, the coconut palm.  Edible coconut oil that is used for dogs has been processed in order to reduce the taste a bit and make it more friendly for use in consumable products.

Coconut Oil is made up of saturated fat, specifically, medium chain triglycerides (MCT).  The MCT make-up is what makes this “good-fat” so powerful and provides so many benefits.  The MCT includes Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Capric Acid, Caprylic Acid and Palmitic in addition to several other acids in small quantities. 

Lauric, Capric and Caprylic acids all have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and support many of the listed benefits.

MCT’s also help the metabolism by creating instant fuel and energy.  They also help create balance in the thyroid and other internal organs like the digestive tract.  The double-effect of adding the overall balancing effects of CBD along with the MCT’s is powerful.

There are many more scientific facts about Coconut Oil’s components and about CBD for pets, but let’s dive into the Top 10 benefits.

The Top 10 Benefits of Coconut Oil

You can find articles that touch on some of the general benefits but there are more than 2 dozen potential benefits of coconut oil for dogs, not to mention humans.  We wanted to bring you a simple list of the Top 10 to make sure you can help your dogs with any number of challenges.  Don’t forget that Coconut Oil alone can provide many of these benefits, but Coconut Oil combined with CBD magnifies the benefits!  These benefits can be grouped into those that benefit the skin and coat, those that contribute to improved internal functioning and those that deal with other challenges.

Benefits For the Skin and Coat

#1 Treat Skin Conditions:  You can use coconut oil for your dog’s skin either by adding it to their diet or applying it topically directly onto the skin.  The oil and CBD have been shown to reduce eczema, itchy skin, fungal and yeast infections.  Coconut oil has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.  It can serve as an antibiotic and good alternative to chemical-based medications.   

#2 Healing for Wounds or Bites:  The coconut oil and CBD can be effective in dealing with wounds, insect bites, abrasions and more.  The combination of items helps with disinfection through its anti-bacterial properties and with rapid healing support.

#3 Reduce and Treat Allergic Reactions:  Your dog may suffer from allergies that cause them to chew on their skin, ears or paws.  Using coconut oil to treat those areas will help to heal the sores and it is completely safe for them to lick and consume.  This is a huge advantage over other medications. 

One user wrote, “My dog has a poultry allergy and until we figured out why she was scratching and losing her fur the coconut oil calmed her and her scratching. Her fur has grown back, and I recommend this 100%

#4 Promote Healthy Coat:  Coconut Oil can provide the protection and coating for your dog’s coat to make it sleek and glossy.  It can also protect the growth to allow for regrowth of hair or thickening as it grows.  Be sure to rub it directly on the coat and also into the skin area.

Internal Medicine Benefits

#5 Improve Digestion:  Coconut oil’s MCT’s aid in the ability to absorb nutrients, improve digestion and overall health.  It helps with inflammatory bowel syndrome and colitis.  Just be sure not to give too much or it could cause loose stool or diarrhea.

#6 Prevent Infection and Disease:  The antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties of coconut oil support overall health of the immune system and can help prevent infection and disease.  There are even studies that show coconut oil may reduce the risk of cancer.  CBD has an additional benefit of ensuring the immune system of the dog is functioning at its best.

#7 Increase Energy Levels:  Coconut oil helps to regulate and balance insulin, as does CBD, which can therefore help prevent and/or control diabetes.  It also provides an instant source of fuel and energy that can help drive activity.

#8 Improve Thyroid Function / Weight Loss:  Coconut oil, through the MCT’s and their acids can play a key role in regulating the thyroid to a more balanced condition.  This combined with the increased energy levels can support a healthier lifestyle and weight.

Other Health Challenges

#9 Reduce Arthritis and Ligament Pain:  Coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can help with joint pain and when paired with CBD can be a huge benefit for dogs.  You will often see coconut oil paired with CBD and other elements in Joint Relief dog treats.

#10 Reduce Bad Breath:  As part of the digestive health benefits, coconut oil can eliminate parasites in the gastrointestinal tract which can cause improvement in bad breath.  You can also use it as a toothpaste directly in the mouth, to safely remove bacteria and promote mouth health.

To summarize the many benefits, coconut oil can act as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral agent.  It can help with skin and coat conditions or injuries.  It helps boost your immune system, promote balanced thyroid function. Coconut Oil  is a key part of your dog’s overall wellness program.

How to Give Coconut Oil to your Dog

There are several ways to give coconut oil (or coconut oil infused with CBD) to your dog, depending on preference and treatment needs.

The first is topically to rub it into their skin or on their coat for any of the skin or wound conditions described.  This can be done 2-3 times a day or as needed in the affected areas.

There are many ways to give coconut oil orally.  Some dogs love the taste and will just lick it right off a spoon (pictured here).  Others would prefer it with their food, in which case it’s convenient to microwave the oil briefly to melt it and pour it on the food.  Be sure not to make it too hot or to let it cool before they eat.  One of the side benefits of this is that it will soften the food a bit and help dogs who may be struggling with mouth pain.

If you’re up for making your own dog treats, then including the CBD-infused coconut oil is a great additive to make sure they get it in their diet.

What’s the Right Dosage?

The simple guideline is to give your dog 1 tablespoon (5mg) for every 25 pounds. So, use one tablespoon if they are up to 25-30 pounds or 2+ tablespoons if they are over that weight.  You can adjust according to extremes (very small or very large dog) and how they react to the coconut oil. You definitely don’t want to give too much, or it could cause diarrhea.

Are There Any Potential Side Effects or Warnings?

There are some rare cases where the dog may have an allergic reaction, so the first time should include close monitoring. 

Diarrhea can occur if the dosage is too high and administered orally.  In that case, cut the dosage back in half and re-assess the condition.

Other warnings are generally related to the fact that coconut oil is in fact a fat.  A dose can add 100+ calories to the dog’s diet without any real nutrition.  As such, it should not be given to a dog with pancreatitis or high bad cholesterol.  If you have any questions about coconut oil or CBD use, you should always consult your veterinarian.

Combining Coconut Oil and CBD

Combining those two proven natural compounds can create substantial benefits for your loved ones.  Honest Paws is one true leader in the marketplace in terms of CBD for dogs.  They discontinued their coconut oil, but the wellness oil is fantastic for overall health, calming and pain relief.  It is free of GMO’s, soy, corn and other contaminants.  It also has third party testing for purity and potency.

We Care About Our Dogs

Our dogs are a big part of our lives and caring for their health and well being has to be the first priority.  Coconut Oil has so many benefits as a result of the MCTs that it’s hard not to include it as part of a dog’s daily life.  Many owners use CBD treats for calming, anxiety, joint pain or overall wellness.  Combining the two is a powerful combination to create a synergistic effect.  It also makes it fun and tasty for the dog too! 

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