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I can't remember when I first learned about the benefits of coconut oil for dogs. Probably one of the many articles promoting coconut oil that used to be published by Dogs Naturally Magazine. Yep, I was such a sheeple back then and followed everything DNM, Dr. Becker, and Rodney Habib said. Not that they're wrong – I never did my research, nor did I ask myself if something I was doing was right for my dogs. And that's how I ended up treating coconut oil like it was an Omega 3 fatty acid. I read about the benefits, assumed that since it's an oil, it must fall in the same camp as fish oil, and went from there.
WRONG!
My eyes were opened by a militant raw feeding group that told me that coconut oil was a fad – just like feeding vegetables or green tripe to dogs. In that group, I learned that coconut oil is nothing like fish oil, something I could have learned myself if I had bothered to do the homework. And they nearly convinced me to kick the coconut oil to the curb, and then I sat in a session with the ladies of CocoTherapy at the Raw and Natural Dog Summit 2018, and I've been a fan of coconut oil since. So much of a fan that I have many uses for coconut oil.
Thank heavens I stocked up.
22 Uses of Coconut Oil by Dog Moms
Benefits of Coconut Oil
So, why add coconut oil to our dogs' diet? Here are thirteen benefits you can't ignore.
- Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants.
- Coconut oil improves nutrient absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
- Coconut oil prevents the spread of cancer cells and enhances the immune system.
- Coconut oil regulates the immune system.
- Coconut oil repels mosquitoes and fleas when massaged into our dogs' coats.
- Coconut oil soothes and heals cuts, wounds, hot spots, bites, and stings.
- Coconut oil is antimicrobial and kills yeast and clears ear infections.
- Coconut oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and helps with arthritis.
- Coconut oil prevents hairballs because it’s rich in fiber; and because of the fiber, coconut oil also is great for pets with anal gland issues and helps to keep pets regular.
- Coconut oil freshens breath and makes an effective toothpaste, killing bacteria along the gumline.
- Coconut oil is a thermogenic oil that stimulates the metabolism, helping a dog lose weight.
- Coconut oil is great for the brain and nervous system; the liver converts MCTs into Ketones and is the ideal food for the brain, preventing cognitive decline in aging pets.
- Coconut oil is great for dogs with allergies. Allergies are due to an overactive immune system, and you can regulate the system by adding lauric acid to a dog’s diet.
Learn more about coconut oil in my blog post Stop Feeding Your Dog Coconut Oil?.
Start with a Quality Coconut Oil
Before I share my secrets, I want to remind you that the quality of the coconut oil we purchase is important.
There is no such thing as extra-virgin coconut oil. That “extra” is a marketing ploy to get us to open our wallets faster. I look for coconut oil sold in a glass jar (to avoid contamination from long-term storage in plastic), consistently comes from one source (so I know what I'm getting), and comes from a company that knows what they're doing and is dedicated to providing a quality product.
I only buy coconut oil from CocoTherapy.
Nope, this isn't a sponsored post or an attempt to collect coins through affiliate links. I'm sharing this because I truly love and respect this company, and I use their products daily.
1 – Add Coconut Oil to Your First Aid Kit
Whether it's for one of the dogs or me, coconut oil is a great addition to the first aid kit. I have cut myself with one of my sharp knives doing meal prep. My dogs have experienced cuts, scrapes, and cracked paws, and coconut oil is a wonderful salve that promotes fast healing. I always reach for coconut oil first for minor cuts because coconut oil is a natural antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal.
2 – Use Coconut Oil to Clear Up Yeasty Ears and Skin
Coconut oil permanently improved my dog's ear health in less than a week.
Sydney used to have an issue with yeast. It was on her skin (her tummy and armpit areas), around her privates, and her ears. After switching to raw, I learned that antibiotics weren't the best solution, and after doing some research, I discovered a solution – coconut oil.
I used a soft cloth to wipe her skin and misted her ears with a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. I used a clean cloth to clean her skin and ears gently. Then, I massaged a small amount of coconut oil on her skin and put a little in her ears. I did this four or five days in a row (less wasn't enough), and she's never had issues again.
3 – Use Coconut Oil as a Coat Conditioner
Instead of spending money on coat conditioners, I massage coconut oil into my dogs' coats each week.
According to PetMD, coconut oil adds “moisture to your dog's skin and prevent[s] flaking.” Sydney had dry skin and flaking when I brush her; massaging coconut oil into her coat made a huge difference. When applying coconut oil to my dogs' coats, I rub a small amount of coconut oil into my hands until all of it melts into shiny goodness and then run my fingers through their coat and along their skin. It doesn't take much. Also, a dog's fur acts like a candle wick; coconut oil moves down the hair shaft to the skin as they move.
4 – Use Coconut Oil Between Baths to Freshen a Dog's Coat
Bathing four dogs monthly (or even every other month) is daunting. Especially if they don't need it. So, instead of lining everyone up for a bath, I use coconut oil between baths to freshen their coat. As stated above, coconut oil is a natural antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal. The bacteria that cause our dogs' coats to smell are reduced when we massage coconut oil into their fur and skin.
Today, I only bathe my dogs when they need it, usually after someone rolls on a dead snake.
Some wonder, “can I leave coconut oil on my dog's coat?” Or “do I have to rinse coconut oil off my dog?” You can leave coconut oil on your dog because it only takes a small amount to freshen a dog's coat. Although the greasiness of coconut oil fades quickly, I still don't want my dogs' fur weighed down with coconut oil, so I add a quarter size to my palm to massage into my dogs' coats. This amount can cover an entire dog – head, body, legs, all. You can use less if you have dogs smaller than mine (which weigh between 60 and 75 lbs). And, if you use too much, of course, you can wash it off. Just use a small amount of shampoo to help.
5 – Coconut Oil is One of the Main Ingredients in Golden Paste
I started making golden paste for my dogs when Sydney was healing from a partial cruciate tear and began showing signs of arthritis. Coconut oil is one of the main ingredients, along with turmeric powder, fresh ground pepper, and Ceylon cinnamon. I saw a difference quickly and now add it to all of our dogs' meals. Golden paste has been found to reduce inflammation, and it's a strong antioxidant for animals, according to Mary Mosquera Cochran, RD of Ohio State University.
6 – Coconut Oil Acts as a Delivery System for Medicine
When I gave my dogs medicine, I used peanut butter as a delivery system. I only buy natural peanut butter to avoid ingredients like xylitol (a sweetener that can be deadly to dogs) and mold (it's so important to buy quality brands). But natural peanut butter is more oily and makes a mess when used as a delivery system. So, I now use coconut oil.
7 – Coconut Oil is a Yummy Treat
And, when one dog gets coconut oil, all the dogs want coconut oil. So I now give it to my dogs as a daily treat. It's great for them; scroll back up to see the list of 13 benefits if you don't believe me. The best part is that I can get my pack to do something I need with one spoonful of coconut oil – they'll follow me anywhere, including out to their yard when I have to clean the house.
8 – Coconut Oil is Great for Senior Dogs
A 2010 study showed that adding coconut oil to a dog's diet improved cognitive functions because the medium-chain fatty acids provide “the brain with energy in the form of ketones.” We have senior dogs in the house now, and they are doing well; I know that adding coconut oil to their diet will help them maintain cognitive functions for years to come.
CocoTherapy also has an MCT oil, and I add a spoonful to my geriatric dog's meals several days a week.
9 – Use Coconut Oil to Soothe Digestive Systems
We have a dog with EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), and all of our dogs deal with some digestive issues from time to time (check out #14) and when this happens, I reach for coconut oil. Coconut oil clears up constipation in my dogs in a day.
Rodrigo was diagnosed with EPI in 2019; in his case, his pancreas no longer produces digestive enzymes. I add a supplement to his meals daily to help him digest his food. The beauty of coconut oil is that the medium-chain fatty acids also help his body digest food and absorb nutrients. It soothes his gut and clears up excess bad bacteria without negatively impacting the microbiome. And coconut oil reduces inflammation, preventing the digestive flare-ups he used to experience regularly. Despite his diagnosis, he has been very healthy.
10 – Protect Paws from Hot Sun, Freezing Snow, and Allergies
We have mild summers and winters compared to other parts of the country, but some years we get snow, and summer temps can reach 100 degrees F. To protect our dogs, we limit their exposure. In the winter, they play in the snow in 15-20 minutes increments. And on hot summer days, I walk our dogs at dusk or dawn to avoid hot pavement. During these temperature highs and lows, I've found that the habit of massaging the dogs' paws with coconut oil keeps them healthy and soft.
Rodrigo has environmental allergies, and his paws irritate him at the change in seasons resulting in a lot of licking. Changing his diet to fresh food helped boost his immune system. However, it wasn't a complete solution. Feeding and applying coconut oil to my dog's paws was the answer. Feeding him coconut oil ALSO boosts his immune system, and massaging his paws before bedtime with coconut oil has helped relieve the irritation and reduce the constant licking.
And, we have a dog with dry elbows – coconut oil keeps the exposed skin healthy and soft.
12 – Coconut Oil May Kill Fleas
Can we use coconut oil for flea control? Turns out that the lauric acid in coconut oil kills fleas and ticks. So my habit of using coconut oil to freshen their coat and as a coat conditioner also reduces my need to use flea repellent products, saving me money. We've never had an issue with fleas. Maybe a bite here or there once a year, but nothing more.
Coconut oil coats the exoskeleton of biting insects, smothering them. Voila! Natural flea control.
13 – Coconut Oil is a Natural Toothpaste for Dogs
Coconut oil is great for a dog's teeth and gums. I started using coconut oil as a toothpaste because I was told to massage my dogs' gums (I use a finger brush), and my dogs didn't like this chore. So I began putting coconut oil on the finger brush, and they were happy to let me massage their gums. The antibacterial properties of coconut oil also kill bacteria that form along the gumline, improving dental health, and freshening their breath. Bonus!!!
14 – Knock Out Room Clearing Gas
So, I touched on the benefits for the digestive system above, but I had to return before publishing to add that it helped clear up my dogs' gas. Sometimes when I feed green tripe and raw meaty bones as a meal, my dogs will have gas all night. A spoonful, or two, of coconut oil will help calm the gut and decrease the gas.
There's still a toot here and there – silent but deadly, but the smells that had Johan and me walking around with twisted facial expressions were gone, thanks to coconut oil.
So, that's my list for the dogs. Coconut oil has many benefits for humans too.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Humans
15 – Combine Coconut Oil with Essential Oils to Make Beauty Products
I'm an essential oil junkie and love making products for myself with essential oils. When making a roller, I use fractionated coconut oil with a combination of oils. When making products, like moisturizers, I use coconut oil by CocoTherapy. There are thousands of recipes online, but I stick with sites I trust – Plant Therapy and Simply Earth.
16 – Use Coconut Oil as a Moisturizer
It's crazy to think we can use coconut oil as a moisturizer without breaking out, but it's true. I use it daily, morning and evening, on clean skin. First, I clean my skin. Second, I spritz my face with Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater by Mario Badescu. And third, I massage a tiny amount of coconut oil (a little goes a long way) on my face. When I'm finished, my face looks a bit greasy, but that goes away in no time. My skin feels so soft, I haven't gotten a pimple since I started this routine, and everyone says I look 15 years younger than I am.
17 – Use Coconut Oil as a Makeup Remover
I have an amazing liquid eyeliner that I love, and it's a pain to remove. By the time I get it off with makeup remover or soap, the skin around my eyes is raw, and my eyes are red. You'd think I'd stop using the eyeliner, but nope, I switched to using coconut oil as a makeup remover instead. It takes no time to remove all of my makeup; a small amount goes a long way. I then wash my face as normal and follow the abovementioned steps.
18 – Use Coconut Oil on My Natural, Curly Hair
I decided to kick the creamy crack (relaxers to permanently straighten hair for folks not in the know) several years ago. I wore protective styles (weaves, braids) for a long time and switched to rocking my natural curls when my hair guru moved to Michigan. I watched endless videos on caring for natural black hair, tried countless products, and finally settled on a routine that gives my curls shape, definition, and bounce.
After washing my hair, I apply a deep conditioner and spritz in apple cider vinegar (yep, with the deep conditioner). After 15-30 minutes, I rinse and do the following…
- I add a leave-in conditioner.
- I add an oil – I use a mixture of coconut oil by CocoTherapy, Jamaican castor oil, and clary sage essential oil by Plant Therapy.
- I use a cream or styling moose, depending on my plans.
This system keeps my curls in place for days, doesn't dry out or cause flakes, and my hair is healthy and growing.
19 – Use Coconut Oil to Massage My Feet
At the end of a long day doing yard work, housework, meal prep, and playing with dogs – I just want to sit back and relax. My feet are usually killing me. A long shower relaxes my stiff muscles, and when I'm finished, I grab a small amount of coconut oil and massage it into my feet it does a great job of softening the skin and keeping them looking good between pedicures.
20 – Use Coconut Oil to Relieve Dry, Itchy Skin
I don't often have dry, itchy skin because I'm a lover of body butters and creams by Plant Therapy. But as I've gotten older, there are times when my skin is so dry and itchy that I feel like I'm going insane. Coconut oil does a great job of alleviating itchy, dry skin. It works for my dogs; why not me? I treat the area with coconut oil and follow up with body cream everywhere after the shower. No more itch.
21 – Coconut Oil and Charcoal Helps Transition to Natural Deodorant
Years ago, I switched to natural deodorant. At first, it didn't seem to work. It turns out that our armpits have to detox for a week before a natural deodorant works. One of the ways to detox armpits is to apply a blend of coconut oil and charcoal. You can make your own or buy one online or at a beauty store. I love a product by Pacifica, which I continue to use in the shower. This allows me to go a couple of days without deodorant at times.
22 – Coconut Oil Wakes Up My Brain in the Morning
I'm not a morning person. To get my brain going, I reach for coconut oil so I don't spend an hour sitting on the sofa and staring blankly at the TV, waiting for the brain fog to lift.
Adding a small spoonful of coconut or MCT oil to my morning Earl Gray tea does the trick every time. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil make me feel more energized in the morning, curb my appetite (so I eat healthier since I don't have that “I'm Starving” feeling), and boost my metabolism. After lunch, I might have a second cup of tea with coconut oil in the afternoon to avoid that dragging feeling.
But Won't Coconut Oil Make My Dog Fat?
Yeah, feeding coconut oil can lead to weight gain in dogs. I adjust their diet to account for the additional calories. I can't tell you how to do that; it's different for every dog and involves a little trial and error. When I add coconut oil to my dogs' meals, I reduce the amount of other food in the bowl by a couple of ounces. If I notice that one of my dogs is still gaining weight, I adjust the diet or increase exercise.
For most of my dogs, exercise is important in keeping the weight manageable. However, if you have a dog that has mobility issues, focus on diet and light exercise at your dog's pace.
Where to Buy Coconut Oil for Dogs (and Yourself)
I buy coconut oil from CocoTherapy. I'm subscribed to their newsletter, where I get great information about coconut oil via email and a heads up of specials. You can find CocoTherapy products on Amazon, but resellers list these. I prefer to buy directly from the company.
