Coconut Oil for Pets
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Coconut Oil for Pets

| Modified on Oct 25, 2024
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Coconut Oil is a wonderful home remedy for all kinds of conditions in animals. Dogs, cats, even rabbits and goats can benefit from the use of coconut oil. It can be used internally and externally. It is safe, relatively inexpensive and easily available.

Earth Clinic readers have used coconut oil as a health supplement for their pets with arthritis, seizures, anal gland problems, constipation, thyroid problems, hip dysplasia, H. pylori, and digestive problems. Externally it is a great natural cure for fleas, matted fur, ear problems, conjunctivitis, fungal infections, hot spots, itchy skin, and ringworm.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Pets Internally

When used medicinally, it is best to use organic and cold pressed coconut oil. While more expensive than the processed varieties, it is still a comparatively inexpensive remedy and has a low risk of side effects. The most likely side effect of internal coconut oil use is loose stools. To avoid this side effect, always start with less and increase slowly as your pet adjusts to a change in his diet.

For a small animal (10 pounds) start with 1/4 teaspoon and increase slowly to a maximum of 1 teaspoon a day. For a medium sized animal (30 pounds) start with a teaspoon a day and slowly work up to a Tablespoon a day. For a large animal (100 pounds) start with a Tablespoon a day and increase to three Tablespoons a day. Your pet may do well with more or less. Always monitor your pet when you change his diet or add a new supplement. Coconut oil is easy to mix into your pet's food.

External Use of Coconut Oil for Pets

Coconut Oil is soothing natural remedy for a variety of skin problems in animals. It can be used like a salve for ringworm, hot spots, and itchy skin. Gently massage some around the eye for conjunctivitis. It can be used in the ears for ear fungus or mites. Because coconut oil is a food and very safe, it is not harmful it a cat or dog ingests the coconut oil as part of his grooming.

For cats or rabbits with fur mats, coconut oil is a safer oil to use than baby oil. Massage a small amount into the mats. (If a cat takes coconut oil internally, it may decrease his matted fur problem; coconut oil has been known to improve the quality of a pet's coat.) One Earth Clinic reader found that coconut oil in a spray can, the type used in cooking, was the ideal way to deal with matted fur on her cat.

Scroll down to see what other Earth Clinic readers are discovering about the use of coconut oil for their pets!

If you have used coconut oil for your cat, dog or other animals, please share your experiences!

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Allergies

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Posted by Sherry (Evans, GA) on 01/20/2006
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I give coconut oil to my Shar Pei for allergies and dry skin and scratching a lot.

Anal Gland Problems

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Posted by Wendy (Lacey Township, NJ) on 02/08/2008
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My Golden had a problem with emptying her anal glands, which led to several trips (quite often) to the Vet. My first approach in solving the problem was adding canned pumpkin to her diet. She got 1/4 cup twice a day, with not much success. I heard about using coconut in her diet and after using it for two months, the problem has resolved itself. I I still give the pumpkin and have added 2 TBS of organic, low fat, sugar free coconut twice a day. No scooting in this house!

Replied by Pam E.
(SW California)
06/27/2023
150 posts

"I still give the pumpkin and have added 2 TBS of organic, low fat, sugar free coconut twice a day."

Is that Coconut: Powder? Milk? Water?

Arthritis

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Posted by Beverly (Colorodo Springs, CO) on 04/05/2007
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By January of 2006, my nine years old Shar Pei senior dog, suffered from severe arthritis with bad hips and almost non existent front elbows. The vet suggested I put him to sleep for he needed both front and rear wheels to stay mobile. Being an individual that doesn't take "impossible" for an answer I did my own research. I got on the wonderful library highway of the web, and found this Earth Clinic website with natural remedies and cures. After only two weeks, with one tablespoon per 50 pounds of organic extra virgin coconut oil, Taz was up and running like a puppy on all four legs. After putting one tablespoon of the organic virgin coconut oil in the dog's food daily, Taz was better. It has been over a year, and he's still truckin'. He's not as spunky as back then, but who of us are as we age? More importantly, he is still fully mobile and has no handicap signs.

Beautiful Coat

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Posted by Dog Owners (Ogden, UT)
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I don't know about humans, but coconut oil has worked wonders for my dog's coat. Greatly increased shine; reduced scratching, chewing and odor.

Constipation

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Posted by Linda (Ontario, Canada) on 09/02/2014
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My 19 yr old Himalayan cat has started to become constipated with a bit of blood spotting. About every 2 days I give her 1/4 tsp of organic coconut oil directly in her mouth, which she loves and within 2 hours she's fine again.

Replied by Pam E.
(SW California)
10/24/2024
150 posts
★★★★★

Integrative Vet, Karen Becker recommends from 1/4 to 1/2 tsp daily for cats, & mine LOVE it, so I give it to them every day! It's a wonderful preventive for hairballs, & constipation too! But as the article above points out, those are only a few of its benefits! (:

Fungal Infection

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Posted by Jeannie (Fremont, California) on 03/27/2009
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Coconut oil cured my dog's fungal infection! My dog had a skin fungal infection ( several round black scabs on skin). I first used diluted Apple Cider Vinegar (1 part ACV: 1 part water) on them. Two out of the three scabs were healed but for the one left, my dog kept scratching the scab off and the skin bled everytime. I came across the coconut oil remedy here at Earth Clinic and gave it a try. I put a dab of coconut oil on the black scab three times a day and within three days, the scab fell off and the skin is fine! No bleeding whatsoever! Thank you Earth Clinic for sharing these holistic remedies with us! I have been learning so much about remedies that work and cost little!

Gingivitis

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Posted by Sherie Suter (Rainier) on 05/15/2020
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I have been using coconut oil with a small amount of oregano oil added in to brush my Pomeranian's teeth for years. And have not had to have her teeth cleaned since I started! She used to have gingivitis but within days of using this it was gone. I brush her teeth every morning first thing she never has bad breath and her teeth are white and beautiful. And she loves the taste. If I get busy and forget for a few days, the gingivitis starts coming back and she starts getting build up on her teeth. It's very obvious the difference it makes. I melt the coconut oil, add enough oregano so I can barely taste it, then pour it in a jar and let it cool. *Tip for dogs with tiny mouths My Pom is only 4 1/2 pounds so finding a small enough brush was a problem. Colgate makes tiny disposable toothbrush that come in a 4 pack with a dot in the middle. You have to pop that dot out and rinse it off because dogs can't have fluoride, but once you do that, the brush is the perfect size and lasts for months! Hope this helps some of you!!

Kennel Cough

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Posted by John Rodgers (United States) on 04/08/2019
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I have a sma dog who can't stop coughing. Vet said he had a collapsed trachea then cognitive heart failure. Now I think it's kennel cough. Was doing honey and lemon juice but it quit working.

Started using coconut oil. Works much better and he likes it more. When he was having congestive heart failure he was coughing for hours. Used a nebulizer on him with medicine for asthma. Hope this helps someone.

Kennel Cough
Posted by John Rodgers (United States) on 04/08/2019
 ★★★★★

I have a sma dog who can't stop coughing. Vet said he had a collapsed trachea then cognitive heart failure. Now I think it's kennel cough. Was doing honey and lemon juice but it quit working. Started using coconut oil. Works much better and he likes it more. When he was having congestive heart failure he was coughing for hours. Used a nebulizer on him with medicine for asthma. Hope this helps someone.

Lupus in Dogs

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Posted by Brenda (Ca) on 03/23/2018
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Using coconut oil on my dog's nose and mouth area has kept sores away from Lupus. He also enjoys to eat it. I mix some in his food or he eats right from the spoon.

Seizures

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Posted by Coregon (Medford, Or, Usa) on 06/03/2015
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Our 12 year old Boston Terrior dog began having seizures. I had just started taking coconut oil for health benefits and our dog as usual begged for whatever I was eating. I gave her some coconut oil..about a tsp...let her lick it off spoon.. she loved it and begged for more. After a couple days I noticed no more seizures..could it be the coconut oil? ...I skipped a day and sure enough..a seizure. It really works..its brain healing. If seizures are severe give a.m. and p.m...and our dog weighed 16 pounds..give more for larger dogs. Costs less than $5 a month and works better than RX vets give you.

Replied by Pam E.
(SW California)
10/25/2024
150 posts

GOOD JOB having noticed the improvement in your dog's health when having eaten Coconut oil !!!

A ketogenic diet has been used for many years by health-wise people, to treat their own epilepsy.... And it is very safe to use with our pets .... SO why not use it for our pets that have seizures ...?

"Coconut oil has gained the reputation of being a rather useful addition to everyone's diet. It has various uses .... Coconut oil is also recommended to those who are following the keto diet since it contains more MCTs that can help boost the amount of ketone production and aid in weight loss...."

Top 5 Best Coconut Oils for Keto *> https://www.buoyhealth.com/health/best-coconut-oil-keto

Skin Issues

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Posted by Maggi (Hua Hin, Thailand) on 10/08/2012
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Last week I took home a young rescue dog... He had been in vet care (at Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand) for the past months recovering from distemper. He is about 6 mths old and was neutered the week earlier. I knew he had several patches of very dry skin on his shoulders so I've been using Coconut Oil daily and his shoulder area has improved immensely.... his paws are still a work in progress but were never as bad as the other eruptions.

Yesterday I noticed what looks like a large ringworm lesion in his groin. I immediately started using the Coconut Oil on the area and particularly around the stitch area from his 'snip'. Hopefully I have caught it in good time and it will not spread. He does lick it off but it can't be over-applied. I read it takes 10-12 days to actually erupt so now I need to make sure my cat doesn't have similar issues. At least I have a good supply of ACV and C/oil at the ready :)

Replied by Maaer
(Connecticut)
04/21/2016

hi, I am so ready to use co, but please tell me, what is ACV stand for? Thanks, maaer

EC: ACV = Apple Cider Vinegar

Staph Infection

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Posted by Rena (Hoover, Al) on 10/25/2015
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Coconut oil is great. My little Shih Tzu had a staph infection (non-contagious) on her back that antibiotics would not clear up. After rubbing coconut oil on these places twice a day for 10 days there was no more infections, and that was 6 months ago.



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