4 Ways Dogs Benefit from Coconut Oil

Share your coconut oil with your furry friend!

You may be aware that coconut oil can do wonders for your skin and hair, but did you know that there are also many coconut oil benefits for dogs? The rich oil can be given to pets to eat or rubbed on their skin topically for a range of great results.

NOTE: Check with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s diet. Also, please be aware of any allergies your pet may have to specific ingredients and avoid ingredients which have caused reactions in your pets in the past. If you are unsure about a specific ingredient, introduce the food to your pets in small amounts first.

Here are four benefits of letting your pup in on the coconut oil trend.

1. Soothes and smooths irritated skin

If Fido is constantly itching and gnawing at his fur, irritated skin may be to blame. Coconut oil has soothing properties, and can ease irritation caused by eczema, dermatitis, flea bites or a general rash. Scoop a handful of the oil into your palm and massage it into your dog’s skin the next time you give him a bath. As an added bonus you’ll notice his fur is sleeker and he smells great, too!

2. Aids in digestion

Have you ever rubbed coconut oil on your skin, only to have your dog licking you incessantly? That’s because pups naturally love the smell and flavor of coconut oil! The good news is it’s completely safe to feed to dogs. In fact, it can help soothe upset tummies and aid with the digestion process. Coconut oil itself has antioxidant properties, plus it helps with the absorption of other vitamins and minerals that keep your dog in good health.

3. Boosts metabolism

Coconut oil is made up of medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs. What are those and why do they matter? MCTs are immediately metabolized by our bodies to create energy, meaning they’re a great “fuel source,” so to speak, for your pooch. When fed consistently as part of a healthy diet, the MCTs in coconut oil can help your dog lose weight and boost his energy levels.

4. Acts as a natural remedy

Some dogs like to play rough, which can result in mysterious bumps, bruises and scrapes. Coconut oil is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent, which can be rubbed over cuts to prevent infection and help them heal quicker.

To introduce coconut oil into your dog’s diet, try feeding a quarter teaspoon for every 10 lbs. of body weight. So, for a 60 pound dog, mix 1 ½ teaspoons of coconut oil into his food at mealtime. As with any change to your dog’s diet, introduce the new food slowly to make sure it doesn’t upset his stomach. Always choose unrefined, extra-virgin coconut oil for both you and your dog.

Make sure that you subscribe to our newsletter, so that you don’t miss out on anything Skinny Ms.

For more tasty recipes, healthy lifestyle tips, and whole body workouts, check out our Facebook page and follow us on Pinterest.

We’d love to hear what you think of this post, or what you’d like to see on our site. Leave us a comment in the comments section below.

This post may include affiliate links.

SkinnyMs.

The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

More by Skinny

3 Comments

  1. there are some adds on Pinterest that say coconut oil is “poison” to dogs and cats. Which is it ? Good or Bad ????

    1. Laura, As with anything, “in moderation” is the key. We recommend checking with your vet before adding any new food to your pet’s diet. Since it is high in saturated fats, avoid using it in cats with pancreatic inflammation. Holistic vets are more likely to promote using coconut oil. I like this video regarding adding coconut oil to your pet’s diet.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *