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A versatile helper
Coconut oil is currently very popular due to its versatility and beneficial effects. You may use it at home for frying, as a hair wrap, to clean your teeth or for skin care. Coconut oil has extensive antibacterial, antifungal and other healing properties. But of course, these don't just apply to humans, but also to your dogs.
Whether you feed your dog a fresh diet or kibble, you probably add a supplement every now and then for his health. One of the most commonly used supplements is just oils, whether fish (especially salmon) or vegetable oils like flaxseed oil. These oils contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for your dog's life.
Healthy
But other oils can also be of great health benefit, and coconut oil is one of them. The fatty acids contained in it are so-called conditionally essential, which means that they are necessary under certain conditions (during development, during pregnancy...). These medium-chain acids are also naturally formed in human milk (and in the milk of other mammals), which is why coconut oil is an ingredient in many infant formulas.
The saturated fats in this oil serve as an immediate energy supply, aiding in athletic performance and weight loss, making it suitable for overweight dogs. In general, it adds vitality, protects against disease and speeds healing. It also helps to improve skin and coat condition, relieve symptoms of allergies and other skin problems, and improve digestion. You can also use it as a cream for cracked paw pads, or instead of a paste - it helps freshen breath too! Adding coconut oil to food also helps rid your dog of internal parasites.
Coconut oil does not only help internally. It can be applied to wounds for faster healing, or rubbed into the coat, which is especially good for dogs with skin problems or dry skin. The oil rubbed into the coat also repels external parasites such as ticks and fleas.
Coconut oil can help to keep pets healthy
Coconut oil is completely safe, both for dogs and most other animals. It is also very stable through temperature changes and will last a long time without spoiling (around two years). It is best to choose virgin coconut oil stored in glass containers. It is better to avoid refined oils because of the potential loss of beneficial substances in the processing.
The dosage of the oil is around one teaspoon per about 5kg of the dog's weight. However, in the beginning it is ideal to start at a quarter of this amount and gradually add more. You can give it daily. Be careful though, coconut oil will not replace oils containing omega-3 fatty acids, which your dog will still need, so it is advisable to rotate the oils.
