Did you know, coconut oil has been shown to be safe for our four-legged friends? Coconut oil also has a variety of benefits for dogs.
Yes, dogs can eat coconut oil, but it can also be very beneficial to apply a bit of the oil on their skin.
As it gently hydrates the skin, coconut oil will make your pet’s coat more sleek and glossy, and it will make them smell better.
Coconut oil also has a calming effect on the skin, so it can be used to treat conditions such as allergies, dermatitis, and eczema. It also helps protect the dogs from fleas and ticks, and thanks to the antimicrobial properties, it can be used to fight fungal infections.
Best of all, since dogs can eat coconut oil, you don’t have to worry if they start to lick themselves after you apply the stuff on their body.
DIGESTIVE
Consuming coconut oil on a regular basis can also help improve your dog’s digestive system and alleviate symptoms caused by various disorders. It even helps to get rid of parasites and it can make your dog’s breath smell better.
IMMUNE
We have already mentioned that coconut oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties thanks to the high lauric acid contents.
Just like in humans, these features work together with the dog’s natural immune system to help prevent disease. It might even help reduce the risk of cancer.
METABOLIC
Coconut oil is also beneficial for dogs’ metabolism. Since it’s rich in fatty acids, eating coconut oil gives our four-legged friends a boost of energy while also helping them lose weight.
Not only this, but it also boosts dogs’ cognitive functions, so it’s good for their brain too.
Coconut oil also helps balance insulin levels in dogs, which can be extremely important for dogs suffering from diabetes. One thing to keep in mind, though, is to always start with small amounts if your dog hasn’t eaten coconut oil before.
Most dogs actually enjoy eating coconut oil, but there are always exceptions, and some dogs might be allergic to coconut oil.
BONES
Another benefit of coconut oil for dogs concerns their bones. The nutrients present in coconut oil can help strengthen dogs’ bones, especially in young dogs.
When it comes to older dogs, coconut oil can help reduce all kinds of inflammation and ease issues caused by arthritis.
EYES, EARS AND MOUTH
The dogs’ eyes and ears are the parts of the body that are most prone to infection. Luckily, coconut oil can help here too.
If your dog is having an itchy infection of the ear or eye, you can apply coconut oil to the affected area to help ease the inflammation and clear out the infection.
Additionally, coconut oil can be used to clean the dog’s teeth which also helps with bad breath.
COCONUT OIL FOR CATS
Coconut oil is basically a super-food for dogs, but can cats eat it? Yes, coconut oil is safe for cats and, more than that – it has an array of positive effects on our feline friends too.
One thing should be kept in mind, though, it is not really recommended to give coconut oil to cats every day, although it will not harm them.
For best results, it should be introduced occasionally or when particular problems occur.
SKIN
Just like with dogs, coconut oil can be used as a natural pest-control method in cats too.
When coconut oil is applied to their skin, the high-fat contents of the oil will suffocate fleas and/or ticks.
Due to it’s calming and antimicrobial effects, coconut oil will also help soothe the existing bites on your pet’s skin.
Therefore, it’s a great alternative for chemical-based pest protection. Moreover, coconut oil helps treat skin issues in cats in general, including dermatitis, fungal infections, and dry skin issues.
Finally, coconut oil can be of great help for treating all kinds of allergic reactions.
ORAL
Another wonderful aspect of coconut oil for cats is the fact that it can be extremely beneficial for their oral health. Inflammation of the gums, or gingivitis, is a very common issue in both cats and dogs (not that different from humans, one might say).
Rubbing some coconut oil on the cat’s gums daily can help ease oral health issues. Doing this will also help prevent gingivitis.
HAIRBALLS
Coconut oil is also of great help for cats that have issues with hairballs. Although it might look a little disgusting, it is normal for cats to vomit hairballs occasionally.
It is a part of their regular grooming routine, as almost all cats like to spend a lot of time licking their fur.
However, sometimes the hairballs can get too big or get stuck which can cause some serious discomfort for the cat.
Applying coconut oil to a cat’s fur will make it healthier, so it’s likely that the cat will start shedding fewer hairs – therefore reducing the occurrence of hairballs.
Moreover, coconut oil also serves as a lubricant, thus making it easier for the cat to pass the hairballs.
BACTERIA
Thanks to lauric acid, coconut oil has the power to kill many bacteria and fungi that cause infections. Cats, especially those that live outdoors, can easily get bacterial infections.
They also often come home with skin abrasions or scratches, which puts them at even more risk from getting an external bacterial infection.
Coconut oil helps cure bacterial infections in cats when eaten, but also when applied topically if the issue is on the skin.
DIGESTIVE
As we have mentioned, cats don’t mind eating a little bit of coconut oil. As a matter of fact, consuming a teaspoon of coconut oil can actually aid their digestion.
Coconut oil is rich in medium chain fatty acids and as such it is easy to digest for cats. This also helps stimulate their metabolism and helps their bodies absorb more vitamins and nutrients.
Finally, thanks to the antimicrobial properties, coconut oil can help with all kinds of inflammations of the intestinal tract in cats.
PAWS
There is one final thing where coconut oil can help cats and it’s the paws! Owners of cats with sensitive paws know how hard it can be for the little guys.
The soft pads on the paws of cats are very easy to damage or scratch. Putting a bit of coconut oil on the wound can help ease discomfort and also prevent infections from developing.
IT’S DELICIOUS!
Our final reason to love coconut oil is simple and true – it’s just amazingly delicious!
After all, who doesn’t love the subtle smell of coconut, reminiscent of sunshine and lazy summer days?
Coconut oil is slightly sweet, but the taste is ever overpowering which makes it go well with almost anything!
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