You may have heard about the amazing benefits of fish oils for your pet’s health, but there is a new oil on the scene that is starting to get attention. Coconut oil has been rapidly growing in popularity over the last few years. People have discovered the health benefits from cooking with it, baking with it and many other uses. Now even our dogs and cats can experience the health benefits inside and out from coconut oil.
My husband and I cook with coconut oil in our home and use it as a supplement when needed. We recently started giving coconut oil to our three pugs as a little treat because they would lick our hands like crazy when we used coconut oil as a moisturizer. Coconut oil has become a daily treat in our home, ours pugs can’t get enough.
There are many health benefits of coconut oil for humans that also apply to animals.
Coconut oil can help aid pets’ digestion, improve their coats and help prevent infection. Cats and dogs would have consumed a high amount of saturated fat in the wild and the beneficial fats in coconut oil are a great way to make sure they are getting enough in their diets.
Coconut oil can be given internally to aid in digestion or applied externally to improve skin and coat health. When fed regularly to pets, coconut oil may have multiple benefits:
Skin and coat health benefits
-Clears up skin conditions such as eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis,and itchy skin
-Reduces allergic reactions and improves skin health
-Makes coats become sleek and glossy, and deodorizes doggy odor
-Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections, including candida
-Disinfects cuts and promotes wound healing
-Applied topically, promotes the healing of cuts, wounds, hot spots, dry skin and hair, bites and stings
Digestion
-Improves digestion and nutrient absorption
-Aids healing of digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel syndrome and colitis
-Reduces or eliminates bad breath in dogs
-Aids in elimination of hairballs and coughing
Immune System, Metabolic Function, Bone Health
-Contains powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agents that prevent infection and disease
-Regulates and balance insulin and promotes normal thyroid function
-Helps prevent or control diabetes
-Helps reduce weight, increases energy
-Aids in arthritis or ligament problems
The Science behind Coconut Oil
Coconut oil consists of more than 90% saturated fats, with traces of few unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Most of the saturated fats in coconut oil are Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs). The main component (more than 40%) of MCTs is lauric acid, followed by capric acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid and palmitic. Coconut oil also contains about 2% linoleic acid (polyunsaturated fatty acids) and about 6% oleic acid (monounsaturated fatty acids).
Most of the coconut oil benefits come from the MCTs. For example, the lauric acid in coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Capric and caprylic acid have similar properties and are best known for their anti-fungal effects.
In addition, MCTs are efficiently metabolized to provide an immediate source of fuel and energy, enhancing athletic performance and aiding weight loss. In dogs, the MCTs in coconut oil balance the thyroid, helping overweight dogs lose weight and helping sedentary dogs feel energetic.
We are now carrying K9 Granola Factory ProCare Series Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. Stop in today and ask about how coconut oil can benefit the health of your pets!
If you are interested in how coconut oil can benefit your own health, take a look at this article.
