Coconut Oil...a Natural Remedy | Prairie View Animal Hospital (2024)

FAQs

Why did my dog throw up after eating coconut oil? ›

Signs that coconut oil ingestion can cause are: fatty diarrhoea, tummy pain, vomiting, and it can trigger pancreatitis (this involves pain – panting, a tense tummy, not wanting to eat and often vomiting).

Side Effects of Coconut Oil for Dogs

It's safe to feed your dog coconut oil. But some potential reactions or digestive problems can occur. If you give your dog too much coconut oil, they can get diarrhea. Your veterinarian will let you know a healthy amount to give your dog.

Answer: You can apply coconut oil to the dog's coat once a week, and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Groom the coat well using a pin or rake brush to remove dead fur and then rinse off.

It Can Kill Harmful Microorganisms

This is especially important for skin health, as many types of skin infections, including acne, cellulitis, folliculitis and athlete's foot, are caused by bacteria or fungi ( 4 ). Applying coconut oil directly to the skin may prevent the growth of these microorganisms.

Your vet may recommend coconut oil as part of a “skin supplement regime to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce itchiness or dry skin,” according to Dr. Simon. Dr. Whittenburg adds, “In most cases, there's no harm in utilizing topical coconut oil on a dog.

While coconut oil offers potential benefits for dogs, including skin health, digestion support, and support for other organ functions, it also poses risks such as stomach upset, pancreatitis, and allergic reactions.

The studies also state that coconut oil may cause the overproduction of LPS, and also increase it's toxicity. As coconut oil is a saturated fat, this also contributes to inflammation in the gut, which leads to leaky gut.

Dog's Perspective

They might lick and try to eat the coconut oil, which is fine as a bit of internal coconut oil can add more health benefits. Because of the oily properties of coconut oil baths, you will want to wash and rinse the coconut oil off your pup after the oil has had time to soak in a bit.

Is coconut oil a natural antibiotic for dogs? While coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, its high saturated fat content and the inflammation it may cause could negate any antibiotic effects.

According to some sources, coconut oil can generally be given to dogs one to two times a day with meals. The amount you give your dog will depend on its size. If your dog is overweight or has obesity, don't give it coconut oil more than once a day.

What does rubbing coconut oil on your dog do? ›

Coconut oil is considered to have natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties,8 so if your dog has cracked paw pads, minor cuts, or areas of skin irritation, it can be used as a natural topical antimicrobial to help heal and soothe those wounds.

Coconut Oil May Fight Off Pests Naturally

Another huge benefit to external use of coconut oil is that it may fight off new parasites like ticks, fleas, and mange mites. Evidence also shows that coconut oil can get rid of existing pests and help heal wounds caused by pest bites.

Most peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat, and in moderation peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin.

Coconut oil has various antimicrobial properties that can serve us: Antibacterial: exposure to lauric acid inhibits the growth of Clostridium difficile bacteria.

In its unheated form, even coconut oil works as a potent antifungal agent. Applying it over the skin makes it a good, safe topical medicine. Since it is easy on the skin, it is also useful to treat scalp ringworm. Use over the skin three times a day.

It kills bacteria and viruses

See, coconut oil is made up of about 50 percent 12-carbon lauric acid. When lauric acid is digested, it produces monolaurin. Both of those funny-sounding things can kill things like bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Diarrhea: Giving an excess amount of coconut oil in the diet could result in greasy stools or diarrhea. Allergic reaction: Some canines may have an allergic reaction to the supplement. Weight gain: Considering its high-calorie content, using coconut oil in excess may lead to weight gain.

Dr. Ostermeier notes that coconut oil is generally safe for dogs but should be introduced gradually into their diet. “It is high in fat,” she says, “so it can trigger stomach upset and pancreatitis in some dogs.” As with any changes to your dog's diet, it's best to start with small amounts and watch for side effects.

Let the coconut oil stay on your dog's skin and in his fur for about ten minutes. In this time the coconut oil will work to soften the skin and improve his discomfort.

“Due to the high saturated fat content,” says Dr. Ostermeier, “some dogs will not tolerate coconut oil.” Giving your dog too much coconut oil or introducing it into their diet too fast could upset their stomach and cause digestive issues like diarrhea.

Why does coconut oil make me vomit? ›

The symptoms of a coconut oil allergy are similar to any other type of allergic reaction and can include: nausea. vomiting.

Oils. A third major class of “do not make your dog throw this up” objects includes oils such as gasoline, kerosene, or cooking oils. These liquids are very easy for a dog to aspirate and can cause potentially deadly aspiration pneumonia.

The short answer is yes! Coconut meat is just as healthy, if not more so, than the coconut oil alone. They share similar properties since they come from the same place. Coconut is non-toxic to dogs, but it does contain medium-chain triglycerides, which may cause some gastrointestinal upset and bloating.