Helping Our Cats and Dogs Naturally with Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil is the talk around town for humans nowadays and I have a tub of it in almost every room of the house but I didn’t think about including it in my health plan for my dogs and cats until I started getting involved with essential oils. You use “carrier” oils to dilute the strength of these potent oils, particularly for pets and children. They include grapeseed oil, extra virgin olive oil, or one of the most popular Coconut Oil.
Make sure the coconut oil you purchase is organic! You don’t want any strange chemicals or additives going in to your pets either by their food or their skin. When you start incorporating it into your lifestyle you might want to try this Organic Coconut Oil that comes in bigger quantities.
The Wellness Mama gives us these ideas for ways and reasons to use Coconut Oil on her dogs and cats:
We give our pets coconut oil in their food every day and use it externally on their coats. Here’s what we do:
- For cats 1 teaspoon a day in food. We started with 1/4 of a teaspoon and worked up over a month. (I tried this yesterday with my cats with just that tiny bit on the edge of their food bowl and they lapped it up. I’m sure it’s much better for them than the butter they like to sneak up and lick if I forget to put it away.)
- Our dog (about 55 lbs) gets 2 tablespoons a day in food (we started with 1 teaspoon and worked up over a month).
- To help ward off fleas, both get brushed with coconut oil every few weeks, especially in summer
- For any dry skin or skin issues, we use coconut oil (or honey) on the skin as needed
- Nursing puppies get coconut oil added to first foods when they start eating
The reason I wanted to learn more about Coconut Oil was my Dobby Dog’s reaction every night when I put my Trader Joe’s Coconut Body Butter on my feet. He would go crazy trying to lick my feet… which tickles. He’s not really food-driven and he never licks so it was odd. Some people with small pets also recommend you putting raw coconut oil on your legs and just letting the small amount that comes off on the pet’s body when they rub up against you and you get smoother skin too.
Doginton Post offers some ways to use coconut oil with pets:
There are many other benefits of coconut oil for dogs.
- It can potentially reduce cancer risks.
- It also improves the digestion of your dog and becomes medicine for most digestive upsets.
- The thyroid function is also kept normal with coconut oil.
- It can give your dog a smooth glossy coat, as well as healthy, supple skin.
- Yeast and fungal infections are also treated and prevented through the use of coconut oil.
- Arthritis and similar pains can also be minimized or treated. (We shared a recipe for essential oil massage oil for your arthritic dog here)
- Coconut can also balance your dog’s metabolism rate to keep his weight under control.
Another area in which amazing results have been attained is in the prevention of parasitic infestations, and apparently curing the problem in many instances. As described in an article on the HealingNaturallyByBee.com website:
Coconut oil may provide an effective defense against many troublesome parasites including giardia. Like bacteria and fungi, giardia can’t stand up against MCFA found in coconut oil.
Research has confirmed the effectiveness of MCFA in destroying giardia and possibly other protozoa.5,6,7 By using coconut oil and other coconut products every day, you may be able to destroy giardia before it can establish a toehold.
It can be given internally or applied externally, and can provide remedies for many skin infections. It can disinfect cuts and improve your dog’s general skin and coat condition, making it healthier. Wounds also heal faster with coconut oil, and it helps to deodorize your dog’s skin and clear up some rashes as well.
Young Living Essential Oils president suggests rubbing Peace & Calming or lavender behind the ears of overactive pets. Use helichrysum and Roman chamomile to help soothe minor discomforts and wounds. We certainly want to use these more natural methods to treat our furriest kids in the house.
*Please Note: I personally only use and only suggest the use of Young Living Essential oils due to their being certified Grade A, therapeutic/medical grade oils.
Health Disclosure:
“We do not diagnose, treat or prescribe any medical treatment or advice. You should always discuss treatment of medical conditions with your medical practitioner before using any alternative therapies, natural supplements, or vitamins. The following safety precautions are guidelines only. You should consult with any aromatherapist about essential oil usage and always inform your veterinarian what you are using as they may not be conducive with his/her prescribed therapy and medications.”
If you have used Coconut Oil with your pets for anything we’d love to hear the results in the comments below.
