More and more veternarians, websites, and experts are singing the praises of coconut oil for dogs, and rightly so!
There are two types of coconut oil – refined (usually labeled RBD for refined, bleached and deodorized) and unrefined (a “virgin” coconut oil.) Always choose unrefined coconut oil to use as a dietary supplement for your dog. It’s made from fresh high-quality coconuts and retains most of the nutrients found in fresh coconuts. RBD oil is often made with lower quality coconuts and coconut meat, and sometimes chemicals like chlorine and hexane are used in the refining process.
How does coconut oil benefit your dog? When fed to him regularly it improves the skin, digestive and immune system, metabolic function and even bone and brain health.
Let’s talk about skin: coconut oil can cure conditions like eczema, flea allergy, contact dermatitis, and chronic itching. It’s been proven helpful in healing wounds, cuts, bites, hotspots and stings. It moisturizes the driest skin and will make your dog’s coat gleam with health – and can also be used as a shampoo!
The recommended dose is 1 teaspoon of coconut oil per 10 pounds of dog.
Cinnamon is thought to prevent diabetes, but so does coconut oil since it helps regulate and balance insulin. It’s excellent for brain health, particularly in senior dogs (this oil is also being used to fight dementia in humans.)
Because it has antibacterial and antifungal properties, coconut oil will reduce “doggy odor” and “doggy breath.”
The antiviral agents in coconut oil help dogs recover from kennel cough, and it treats and prevents yeast infections. Digestion and nutrient absorption also improve, although it may cause stool to loosen. It is beneficial to overweight dogs who should not consume too much animal fat. Unlike other fats, it’s easy for your pet to digest and is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream, quickly providing a source of non-carbohydrate energy.
If it sounds like coconut oil is an all-purpose nutrient for your dog, there’s even more to recommend it!
It is believed that coconut oil reduces the risk of cancer and other similar degenerative diseases. It helps with hormonal balance, so it benefits dogs with diabetes and thyroid problems. Coconut oil improves digestion and the absorption of other nutrients, relieving stomach ulcers, colitis, and conditions like inflammatory bowel syndrome. For the many dogs, especially seniors, who suffer from arthritis pain, coconut oil relieves common symptoms with the bonus of improving their joint and bone health.
Fed regularly to your dog, coconut oil can have numerous health benefits. That little spoonful will pay off in big rewards in your pet’s overall health. That’s why an increasing number of veterinarians who emphasize the importance of good nutrition are singing its praises and recommending it for their patients.
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