Coconut oil – it’s on the up and up. People use it for just about anything. A new rendition of My Big Fat Greek Wedding might toss out the Windex and ask, “Did you put coconut oil on it?” But what about your furry friend, is coconut oil good for dogs?

Quite simply, coconut oil benefits your dog in a variety of ways. From skin and hair care, to immune system support. Here’s why you should make your pup cuckoo for coconut.

Why Is Coconut Oil Good For Dogs?

With coconut oil, it’s all about the fats. New research supports the benefits of healthy fats with foods like avocado or oils like coconut oil. The key health benefits in coconut oil come from those fats. Particularly, the medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs).

64% of coconut oil is made up of MCFAs. What does that mean? Well, it means that coconut oil is filled with all sorts of little molecules that are of great benefit to your pup.

Let’s discuss those molecules, starting with lauric acid:

Lauric acid makes up 48% of the MCFAs in coconut oil, and is that special ingredient in your hand soap that keeps any nasty germs away.

As you might guess, lauric acid offers antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. These properties help to ensure your pup has a bolstered immune system. Because of this, you have peace of mind about your dog’s health.

Meanwhile, capric and caprylic acid provide antifungal effects for your fur baby’s skin and coat. The capric and caprylic acids in coconut oil help stave off any dangerous fungi to keep your furry friend happy and healthy.

Last, but not least, is myristic acid. Recent research supports myristic acid’s ability to raise levels of good cholesterol and improve heart health.

Also, rubbing coconut oil melting balms on your dog’s coat and skin forms a protective layer to aid in the prevention of infection.

Nice Coat!

How else is coconut oil good for dogs?

Well, coconut oil benefits your dog’s coat and skin because of its fatty acids. Those fatty acids work to keep your pup’s skin and coat shiny and strong. The MCFAs in coconut oil help clear up any dry, itchy skin with their moisturizing properties. Also, the natural scent of coconut oil helps reduce any of that stinky, doggy odor.

Also, if your pup ever has a hot spot, dry, or itchy patches of skin, consider using applying a smudge of coconut oil to the region. All of the healthy fats in coconut oil work to maintain healthy, moisturized skin and will clear that patch up in no time!

Can They Eat It?

Is coconut oil good for dogs if they eat it?

As long as you use a natural coconut oil without any harmful additives, you certainly can feed your pup some coconut oil.

All of the healthy fats in coconut oil work for your pup internally just as well. The fatty acids in coconut oil work to improve your dog’s digestion, while its natural scent helps eliminate bad doggy breath.

What else? Well, here, let’s ask the expert. Because experts know best!

Dr. Bruce Fife, a certified nutritionist, naturopathic doctor, and president of the Coconut Research Center explains that coconut oil is key to your dog’s health because it elevates your pup’s metabolism and energy levels, protects your pup from illness, and can also be used on wounds to help speed up your dog’s recovery.

There You Have It

Coconut oil talks the talk, and it walks the walk. It’s difficult to deny coconut because of the wealth of benefits it offers for your dog’s health and wellness.