Does feeding dog coconut oil help with allergies

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

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Coconut Oil for Dogs

Coconut oil has become quite the craze in recent years as a popular supplement for people, touted for a wide variety of possible benefits. Coconut oil can be consumed orally, directly placed on food, applied to the skin topically, or contained in supplement form.

But is it also OK to give coconut oil to dogs?

While in very small amounts coconut oil is not likely to cause an issue for your dog, regular use in dogs is not recommended.

Key Takeaways

Regular use of coconut oil in dogs is not recommended.
Always consult with a veterinarian before adding coconut oil to your dogs routine.
While coconut oil offers potential benefits for dogs, it also poses risks such as stomach upset, pancreatitis, and allergic reactions.

What Is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil comes from the white flesh of the coconut fruit, part of the coconut palm tree. This oil is extracted and is categorized into two typesrefined coconut oil and unrefined coconut oil.

Unrefined coconut oil, sometimes called virgin coconut oil, is minimally processed and retains its flavor; the meat of the coconut is pressed to produce the oil. Refined coconut oil has only a mild flavor but can be used at high temperatures, such as when used for cooking. These oils are then made into preparations for the skin or for oral ingestion.

Is Coconut Oil Safe for Dogs?

In small quantities, coconut oil can be given to dogs for a variety of reasons, but mainly for its medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) as a source of saturated fat, also known as the good fat.

MCTs are also found in dairy products and palm oil. Coconut oil should be given under the guidance of your veterinarian and gradually introduced into your pups diet. Too much too fast can cause significant stomach upset, and a little bit goes a long way. As with any food, watch for signs of an allergic reaction such as hives or itchy skin.

Coconut oil can be given to dogs in pure form, added to the food or as an oral supplement. It can also be made into a topical preparation for skin issues.

Cold water fish oils provide an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Their propensity to cause stomach upset in dogs is also a lot lower than that of coconut oil.

Can You Use Coconut Oil for a Dogs Skin?

Veterinarians typically do not recommend using coconut oil for your dogs skin because the risk often outweighs the benefits.

Coconut oil is often used to hydrate a dogs skin, reduce inflammation, and provide both antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, this remains anecdotal in dogs.

While there are studies in people, there is no scientific evidence supporting the benefits of coconut oil for use on dog skin.

Applying anything to a dogs skin should be done with caution, as dogs tend to lick themselves often and will ingest the substances.

While coconut oil can be ingested, if too much is ingested or its in a form that is not meant to be ingested, significant stomach upset and pancreatitis will develop. Coconut oil applied to the skin can also cause an allergic reaction, making any current skin condition or itching worse.

Can You Use Coconut Oil for a Constipated Dog?

Coconut oil is not helpful for dogs with constipation, as large quantities ingested will cause painful stomach upset and pancreatitis. Even in small quantities, this painful condition can still occur, along with a possible allergic reaction.

In humans, coconut oil is used because MCTs are more easily digested than long-chain fatty acids (LCTs) to help with conditions that cause decreased absorption or maldigestion of fats. Coconut oil is rapidly absorbed by the intestinal tract; therefore, it will not be effective as a laxative in constipated dogs.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs

Some possible benefits of using coconut oil in dogs are extrapolated from its successful use in humans. They are:

Rich in fatty acids (MCTs)
Lowers cholesterol
Reduces inflammation
Exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties
Acts as an antioxidant
Aids digestion
Supports heart and brain function
Assists with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by reducing gut inflammation
Aids cognitive function
Decreases seizure activity in epileptic dogs

Claims of use in dogs that lack credible studies, even in people, include:

Risks of Coconut Oil for Dogs

Using coconut oil on dogs, whether through ingestion or topical use, carries the following risks to their health:

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.

Always consult with a veterinarian before adding coconut oil to your dogs routine, to ensure its appropriateness for their individual health needs.

WRITTEN BY

Barri J. Morrison, DVM

Veterinarian

Barri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her...

Coconut Oil for Dog Skin: Apply & Cure Skin Problems (Based on Studies)

Coconut oil for dog skin has become a health trend among humans and pet owners in the past decade.

Thanks to its many health benefits, coconut oil is very effective on dogs' skin problems (1, 2).

According to the American Kennel Club, coconutis knownfor easing itchy, dry skin, bites, stings, and hot spots.

Additionally, shampoos manufactured from natural oils like coconut oil can repair damaged skin and lessen allergies.

In this article, we are going to cover questions and points on coconut oil for dogs, just to name a few:

Is coconut oil safe for dogs' skin?
Coconut oil for dogs' itchy skin
Coconut oil for dogs' skin allergies

So lets look closer at how to use coconut oil on dogs' skin problems.

What Is Coconut Oil and What's In It?

Coconut oil is extracted from mature raw coconuts or dried coconut kernels (3).

It is edible, and its very likely that youve eaten it before, even if you are not aware of it.

This product is a regular part of many cuisines, especially in Asia.

In addition to the food industry, coconut oil is often used in beauty products.

It can be found in different forms, like most other oils. There is unrefined, virgin, and extra-virgin coconut oil.

You can also find refined coconut oil in the market, which has a neutral taste.

Coconut oil is rich in healthy fatty acids, which comprise approximately 65% of its content (4).

The medium-chain fatty acids that coconut oil provides include the following:

Lauric acid:49%
Myristic acid:18%
Caprylic acid:8%
Palmitic acid:8%
Capric acid:7%
Oleic acid:6%
Linoleic acid:2%
Stearic acid:2%

Most of the benefits of coconut oil for dog skin problems will be attributed to lauric acid, of which there's nearly 50% in coconut oil no other oil on the planet has as much of it (5).

Coconut Oil for Dog Skin: 6 Benefits

1. Coconut Oil for Dogs' Itchy and Dry Skin: Moisturize Your Dog's Skin

Healthy and hydrated skin is crucial to maintain, both in humans and dogs, to keep bacteria away from the body because it acts as a strong barrier (6, 7).

Several studies with humans and animals demonstrated how applying some coconut oil to the skin will keep it better hydrated, ultimately making it not only look healthier and shinier but also maintain its barrier strength.

One study, in particular, found significant improvements in skin hydration when applying coconut oil, and it was just as effective as some other well-known treatments (8).

Another study found how coconut oil used for dogs' itchy skin fights the negative effects of eczema.

Eczema is a skin condition that may cause itchiness, rashes, and scaly skin in dogs.

Applied coconut oil reduced all these factors, made the skin less dry, and effectively treated eczema (9, 10).

2. Coconut Oil Kills Bacteria Present on a Dog's Skin

Speaking of keeping the skin healthy to fight off bacteria, coconut oil not only helps with that but also keeps dangerous microorganisms away from the skin due to its antimicrobial properties, some of which could cause a number of different skin conditions (11).

The main protector in coconut oil is lauric acid, and approximately 50% of it is in coconut oil.

Studies found that lauric acid is the most effective fatty acid at blocking and fighting different harmful bacteria, many of which cause different skin problems (12, 13).

To a lesser extent, capric acid found in coconut oil is another effective fighting agent, and researchers found that it's great not only for fighting a variety of bacteria strains but also for preventing fungi growth (14, 15).

3. It Helps to Repel Parasites

Studies found that fatty acids in coconut oil provided protection against several parasites for up to 7 days.

For brown dog ticks, in particular, coconut oil had repellency from 84% and up to 88% (16).

In addition to that, coconut oil was found to be an effective repellent against stable flies and other blood-sucking insects such as horn flies, bed bugs, and lone star ticks (17).

4. Coconut Oil for Dog Skin Allergies, Acne, and Scabs

Coconut oil components are able to reduce inflammation on the skin thanks to their anti-bacterial properties.

The result is a reduced chance of developing several skin conditions like eczema, crusty scabs, atopic dermatitis, acne, and others (18, 19, 20, 21).

Again, most of this is due to the lauric acid content in coconut oil.

Furthermore, studies show how a combination of lauric acid and capric acid, both of which are present in abundance in coconut oil, is extremely effective at killing the specific bacteria that cause skin health problems and is even more effective than benzoyl peroxide (22, 23, 24).

5. Coconut Oil Helps to Heal Your Dog's Skin Wounds

For a dog that has a wound on its skin, applying coconut oil will help the healing process as well as prevent further inflammation and infections, according to several animal studies.

One study, in particular, observed how components of coconut oil improve the status of antioxidants and increase collagen levels (both of which are crucial to the healing of wounds) and, thereby, effectively speed up the whole wound healing process (25).

The anti-microbial properties of coconut oil will also prevent the development of infections and inflammation and reduce the risk of complicated healing processes (26).

Coconut oil is even good at treating and healing wounds from burns, particularly when it's combined with an antibiotic (27).

6. Coconut Oil Reduces Skin Inflammation

A number of dog skin conditions are the result of inflammation, and coconut oil was found to have anti-inflammatory properties and even help with relieving pain associated with some skin conditions (28).

In another study of different oils (coconut, sunflower, olive oil), scientists found that only coconut oil was effective at improving levels of antioxidants and preventing oxidative stress, which then eased inflammation (29, 30).

Finally, coconut oil was also shown to fight skin fungi like candida, prevent hair damage, and help protect the skin from UV rays by up to 20% (31, 32, 33, 34, 35).

Coconut Oil for Dog Skin:How to Use It

Coconut oil can be given to dogs orally or applied topically onto a dog's fur and skin.

Including coconut oil in your dogs diet can improve their health in general.

But for the best results regarding skin and coat health, coconut oil should also be used topically.

Which Coconut Oil is Best for Dogs?

There are two ways that coconut oil is produced: wet processing, which is derived from raw coconut meat to create virgin coconut oil, and dry processing, where the oil is derived from dried coconut meat and kernels (36).

Several studies have shown that virgin coconut oil (from wet processing) is much better and more effective for skin health and different skin conditions (37, 38).

Below are some of the best and most proven brands of coconut oil for dogs and their skin.

Product	Rating
Virgin Coconut Oil, 16 fl oz - Non-GMO,...	101,191 Reviews	Check Price
Amazon Fresh, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, 15 Fl Oz...	14,933 Reviews	Check Price
Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil 78 fl oz, Cold-Pressed,...	53,491 Reviews	Check Price
100% Organic Coconut Oil for Dogs & Cats - Lotion...	899 Reviews	Check Price
Nature's Way Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil,...	16,116 Reviews	Check Price

How to Feed Coconut Oil to Your Dog?

Coconut oil can be given to dogs daily with meals, once or twice daily. The amount of oil in your dogs meals depends on your pet's size.

It is recommended that you introduce coconut oil into your dog's diet very slowly.

Try to start with 1/4 of a teaspoon for small dogs on a daily basis. For large breeds, start with 1 teaspoon with every meal.

Overweight and obese dogs should not be given coconut oil more than once a day because it has a high fat content.

Pay attention to your dogs weight if you give him coconut oil on a regular basis, and consult your vet if you notice any weight gain.

How to Use Coconut Oil Topically?

Using coconut oil topically on dogs is simple.

Start with small test amounts to see how your dog's skin or fur reacts first. Also, your dogs fur can get greasy if you apply too much.

Simply rub a bit of coconut oil between your hands and put it on your dogs fur, like you are giving your pet a gentle massage.

Use your fingertips also to rub the oil on the dog's skin. It is best to apply coconut oil once or twice a week.

If you are dealing with a specific skin problem in a dog, apply the coconut oil directly to the affected area.

Your dog may lick some of the oil, but thats not a problem because coconut oil is edible, healthy, and safe for dogs.

However, it is best to let the oil get absorbed for about five minutes and then rinse your dog off to get the excess oil off if need be.

Alternatively, you can make a DIY dog shampoo from organic coconut oil and use it for bathing your dog once a month or more frequently if needed due to certain skin issues.

Keep in mind that some dogs can be allergic to coconut oil.

If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, like itchiness, hives, red or inflamed skin, swelling, vomiting, and diarrhea, take your dog to the vet to rule out or confirm a coconut oil allergy.

Coconut oil for Canine Seborrhea

Feeding and even applying coconut oil topically seems to help overall in treating and preventing canine seborrhea from happening to your pup.

Same as we said before, coconut oil helps provide a strong barrier fighting off bacteria and other parasites from infecting your dog.

Coconut Oil for Dog Skin: FAQs

Can I put coconut oil directly on my dog's skin?

You can put coconut oil directly on your dog's skin. It can hydrate the skin of your dog and stop flakes from forming.

Coconut oil is known to have natural antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. It is safe to apply topically without a prescription to aid in the healing and comfort of wounds.

How do you apply coconut oil to dog skin?

Simply massage a small bit into the skin with your fingertips while gliding your fingers through your dog's fur.

Using coconut oil, your woofer's coat can look smoother and glossier.

You may rest certain that coconut oil can be a non-chemical solution to keep fleas and ticks away and protect Fido from sickness if you live in a forested region or enjoy taking him on hikes.