Question 1

How much coconut oil should I give my dog?

Accepted Answer

There are no standards when it comes to coconut oil supplementation in dogs. However, to answer your question how much coconut oil should I give my dog, it is generally recommended that you can start with about 1 milliliter or about ¼ teaspoon of VCO for every 10 pounds of its body weight given daily. For large breeds, you can start with a teaspoon. This is to help avoid the passing of loose stools. Gradually increase the dosage until you reach about 5 mL or 1 teaspoon, or a tablespoon for large dogs, for every 10 pounds of your pet’s body weight per day.

Question 2

Can I use coconut oil on my dog’s skin and coat?

Accepted Answer

As we have already discussed, one of the benefits of coconut oil in dogs is related to their skin and coat health. As such, it is perfectly alright and is actually recommended to apply some onto your pet’s coat and massage onto its skin. The best way to do it is to apply liberal amounts of your chosen product and leave it there for about 5 to 10 minutes before washing and rinsing it off. Applying coconut oil onto your pet’s skin and coat can bring the life and shine back into this part of your canine friend’s body.

Question 3

How to give your dog coconut oil?

Accepted Answer

There are a variety of ways in which you can give coconut oil to your dog. Here are some of the more common ways.

Question 4

How often should I give my dog coconut oil?

Accepted Answer

Coconut oil, for all its wonderful benefits both to us and man’s best friend, needs to be taken in moderation. This is especially true in the case of our beloved pets that are more prone to obesity than others. While it is true that coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides that are way healthier than saturated fats, these are still fats that are exceptionally concentrated with calories. As such, if you fail to make the necessary adjustments in your pet’s diet, you are essentially courting canine obesity and an entire list of diseases and complications associated with the condition.

Question 5

Can I add coconut oil to wet and dry dog food?

Accepted Answer

The quick answer to this is ‘yes’ you can add coconut oil to your pet’s food whether it is dry or wet. One of the best things about coconut oil is that it possesses anthelminthic properties. While the exact mechanism is not clearly understood, what is generally observed is that adding coconut oil to your dog’s food regardless of whether it is wet or dry can help facilitate the removal of intestinal worms from your dog’s gut. Now that is one of the clear benefits of giving coconut oil to your pet.

Question 6

Can I use coconut oil for dog ear infections?

Accepted Answer

An infection, regardless of its location in the dog’s body, is caused by certain microorganisms that destroy body tissues. The destruction of the tissues releases a variety of substances that bring about the classic manifestations of inflammation such as redness, swelling, and pain. As such, the only way you can really address the problem is by giving your dog an antimicrobial agent that is highly specific for the organism that is causing the infection.

Question 7

Can dogs be allergic to coconut oil?

Accepted Answer

Generally speaking, pure coconut oil is safe. The reason is quite simple – it doesn’t contain proteins that can be recognized by the dog’s immune system as allergenic. Some say lauric acid may contribute to a variety of manifestations that are taken as allergic symptoms. However, lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid and not an amino acid as some would claim.