Does coconut oil help with dog shedding

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It may seem like every health and wellness blog or article you read these days is about coconut oil, but you may not know that this wonder food is not only good for you but also for your furry companion. Dogs can benefit from coconut oil in many ways, including their coats. If you are looking to decrease your dog’s shedding and improve the health of their skin and fur, then coconut oil could be the answer to your wishes.

Understanding Why Dogs Shed

To know how coconut oil works to help your dogs, let’s first explore the reasons why your dog may be excessively shedding. Losing fur is a natural process that should occur in a healthy animal, but excessive shedding is a sign of a problem. Dogs who shed a lot may have dry, irritated, or even infected skin. While this is not always the case, most shedding is due to simple poor skin health.

Your dog’s dry skin can happen because they have allergies, the environmental conditions where you live are very dry or harsh, you use harsh soaps for bathing them, or because they are getting sunburned while playing outside. For many dogs, dry skin is a sign of a lack of certain essential nutrients in their diet, as well.

If your dog has allergies, a medical condition, or some other problem that may be contributing to their dry, itchy skin, you may need to consult with your veterinarian to determine the exact source of the problem. In most cases, though, simply using coconut oil at home can relieve dry skin and promote a healthy coat that does not shed excessively.

How to Use Coconut Oil to Reduce Shedding

Coconut oil is rich in essential fatty acids that animals (and humans) need for healthy skin, hair, and nails. The fats found in coconut oil are suitable for internal nutrition as well as for application on the skin to promote healthy and moisturized skin from the inside as well as from outside. You can use coconut oil in a variety of ways to treat your dogs’ skin and coat.

The first way you can use coconut oil is to add it to your dog’s food. Like people, dogs need a certain amount of fat in their diet, and when your dog eats mainly kibble or dry food, they often do not get all the fat they need. Adding a little coconut oil to your dog’s food can provide them with the essential fatty acids they need to improve their skin health and promote a shiny, healthy coat. By boosting your dog’s digestive and immune system health, too, coconut oil can promote better overall health and improve your dog’s ability to fight infections that could be leading to skin problems.

Coconut Oil and Your Dog's Skin

You can also use coconut oil as a moisturizer for your dog’s skin. Coconut oil is not only emollient and soothing, but it also acts as a protective barrier for UV rays, providing some sunscreen protection. Rub a small amount of coconut oil into your hand and then gently pat your dog’s coat or massage the oil into the skin. If your dog later licks his fur, you do not have to worry about him or her ingesting the oil, since it is safe for them to eat.

By treating your dog’s skin from the inside and externally using coconut oil, you can eliminate the most common causes of excessive shedding and help your dog’s skin and coat remain healthy and strong.

By Aly Semigran

Coconut oil may be the latest, hottest, all-natural trend for humans, but pet parents are also exploring it as a beneficial supplement for their four-legged companions. And far from being a fad or an overnight craze, it may prove true. “It provides many benefits for dogs,” says Dr. Colleen Smith, DVM, CVA, CVCP of the Chattanooga Holistic Animal Institute.

Coconut oil can aid dogs with everything from itchy or bumpy skin to digestion issues. But is this oil all that it’s cracked up to be, and are there risks that pet parents should be aware of?  

What is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is extracted from mature coconuts and takes the form of an edible oil that is used in food and beauty products. It is high in saturated fat and medium-chain triglycerides, which are thought to be behind the touted health benefits for both humans and dogs.

How Coconut Oil Benefits Dogs

So what exactly makes coconut oil so beneficial? “Coconut oil can increase energy levels, improve skin and coat, improve digestion, and reduce allergic reactions,” says Smith.

Dr. Katie Gryzb, a Brooklyn-based veterinarian, explains that coconut oil can potentially slow cognitive dysfunction in dogs. “Fatty acids are helpful in cognitive function, which has been medically proven,” she says. 

In addition, Dr. Pema Melu, DVM, of Holistic Veterinary Healing in Germantown, MD, explains that medium-chain fatty acids, like coconut oil, help with physical and digestive ailments because they are “directly absorbed in the GI tract and go directly to the liver where they are metabolized into utilizable energy.”

Besides the overall health benefits, coconut oil can be used as a coating on pills to help dogs swallow them, and it can be applied topically to smooth and freshen a dog’s coat.

How to Give Coconut Oil to Dogs

Coconut oil can generally be given to dogs 1-2 times a day with meals. How much you should give your dog depends on his size.  Many veterinarian recommend starting slow with the coconut oil. A good starting dose is ¼ teaspoon daily for small dogs up 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon daily for big dogs.  However, if you have an obese or overweight dog, it’s suggested that coconut oil be provided no more than once a day because of its high fat content. Any dog who is receiving coconut oil should be closely monitored for weight gain.

“Coconut oil can also be used as a base for dog treats,” explains Smith. She suggests mixing turmeric and vitamin D in with coconut oil for optimum snacks. Turmeric works as an anti-inflammatory, while vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Be careful that you don’t give too much vitamin D to your dog, however. Over-supplementation can cause kidney problems.

To find the best coconut oil, understanding the labels can make all the difference. Smith recommends pet parents use organic, virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil.

Topical Application of Coconut Oil for Dogs

Coconut oil can add moisture to your dog’s skin and prevent flaking. It also helps freshen up a dog’s coat if used with a light touch. To use it topically, simply rub a very small amount onto your hands and then gently pat the coat, run your fingers through the fur, and massage a little down onto the skin. Since coconut oil can be given orally, you don’t have to worry if dogs lick themselves after it’s been applied to their coats.

Coconut Oil Concerns

While coconut oil is generally safe for dogs, some canines may have an allergic reaction to the supplement. Additionally, giving a dog too much coconut oil in the diet could result in diarrhea. Smith warns against giving coconut oil to dogs prone to pancreatitis, as it can be a risk due to its high fat content.

And not all veterinarians are convinced that coconut oil is beneficial for dogs at all. Dr. Ken Tudor notes that coconut oil may possibly raise “bad cholesterol” levels in dogs and “adds 120 calories for every tablespoon without adding any appreciable nutritional value.”

Coconut Oil Alternatives for Dogs

If your dog has an allergic reaction to coconut oil, or there are simply no improvements seen by adding coconut oil to your dog’s diet, there are alternatives. Cold water fish oils, like salmon oil, and to a lesser extent, flax seed oil, are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids that can provide some of the same benefits of coconut oil. Of course, with any supplements, a dog’s intake should be monitored and it’s best to consult your veterinarian when it comes to any health issues with your pet. Giving coconut oil or similar supplements to dogs is not a guaranteed cure-all or magic fix.  

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