Coconut Oil for Your Dog

If you love summer, chances are the scent of coconuts puts you in mind of warm sand, cool water, and hot days. But the versatile coconut is far more useful than we give it credit for – besides smelling wonderful in sun lotions, coconut has a host of benefits, including being a healthy alternative to vegetable oils when cooking. And your dog can enjoy some of them as well.
Coconut oil is not one of the more commonly used oils for cooking or eating, but it should be! It is a great source of dietary fiber, lauric acid (which is also found in breast milk), amino acids, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids. The lauric acid helps build a healthy immune system, similar to how breast milk helps babies develop protection from viruses and bacteria. Other benefits of coconut oil include:
•Boosting metabolism.
•Speeding healing time (as when applied to an insect bite or sting, cut, or wound topically).
•Increasing energy levels, even in sedentary dogs.
•Aiding in weight loss for overweight pets.
•Improving digestion.
•Reducing allergies.
•Enhancing the appearance and health of the coat and skin and clears up eczema, contact dermatitis, and itchy skin.
•Reducing bad breath.
•Regulating insulin and thyroid activity.
•Helping alleviate discomfort associated with arthritis or ligament problems.
One other benefit that should be mentioned is that your dog (or cat) will love the taste. Coconut offers a nutty flavor that your dog will love. As an alternative to dog treats with artificial ingredients, consider a product like Coco Therapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. This is unrefined, non-bleached, cold-pressed oil that contains no hydrogenated or trans fats or genetically-modified organisms (GMO).
You will want to give your pet one teaspoon for every ten pounds of his weight. So, a 25 pound dog would receive 2.5 teaspoons. Begin by using a quarter of the recommended dosage: that 25 pound dog would get just over half a teaspoon. You can add this to his food or you can put the oil in your palm and let your pet lick it off. As your pet becomes used to the oil, gradually increase the dosage until he is getting the full recommendation. Do your dog a giant favor by trying coconut oil – you’ll both see a difference.