Coconut Oil: Is It Good For Your Hound?

We’re  not sure when it happened, but coconut oil seems to have garnered quite  a lot of traction in recent years.  Its popularity skyrocketed when  celebrities and other big names started calling it a ‘superfood’ and it  inevitably ended up being considered as such for dogs as well.

There  is a lot of conflicting information online about coconut oil for dogs,  with some recommending it’s use and others saying to steer clear of it!   And while coconut oil is not a super food (despite the claims), it does  not need be shunned either.   

There are benefits to be had, if used with care and moderation, but is it all it’s cracked up to be?

Yes and no. Don’t get us wrong, we love a bit of coconut oil…but when it comes to your hound’s health, you need to be careful.

The  main problem when it comes to dietary supplements, particularly ones  that surge in popularity very quickly due to social media and other  outlets, it can quite often be the case that the benefits are based on  anecdotal evidence and not backed by, or have very limited, scientific  data behind them.

There is  growing evidence to support the use of coconut oil in dogs’ diets, and  many commercial diets now already have it incorporated into their  recipes, but it’s not to say it’s right for your hound.

Coconut  oil is routinely used as a supplement in dogs’ diets for a multitude of  reasons, while also being used topically to help with skin conditions  like bare thigh syndrome.  It is believed that coconut oil brings about  benefits such as include improved dental health, improved digestive  health, boosted immune system, improved skin and coat condition, weight  management, improved energy levels, and improved cognitive function in  dogs suffering from doggy dementia and management of conditions such as  idiopathic epilepsy.

The reason  for these supposed benefits is that coconut oil is rich in medium-chain  triglycerides (MCTs), which are a shorter chain of fatty acids that are  more quickly and easily metabolised in the body and considered to be  antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, as well as acting as an  antioxidant.

While we wouldn’t  warn people off using coconut oil, if you are going to introduce it to  your hound’s diet, you need to be aware of the following:

-  While there is a study that proves the safety (lack of toxicity) of  MCTs being provided to dogs, that has been quoted as to the safety of  coconut oil, the dogs were fed MCT oil rather than coconut oil.  So be  careful in reading information online and be sure to triple check the  information and sources!

- Many  commercial diets and treats already contain coconut oil, so you don’t  want to be adding more as this can counteract any beneficial effect.

-  The quality of the coconut oil matters, choose a good quality  unrefined, virgin, or cold pressed version…not just a cheapy one off the  bottom shelf.  Refined, or processed, coconut oil may not offer the  same health benefits and could contain additives that are harmful to  dogs.

- While it comes with many  intended benefits, it does come with an increased risk of giving your  hound digestive issues, weight gain, pancreatitis, and allergic  reactions.  You should, realistically, consult your vet or qualified  nutritionist before incorporating it into your hound’s diet (although  you all know our opinions on vets and their nutrition advice!)

-  Start small!  Give a fraction of the recommended amount for your dog’s  size/weight and wait to see if there is any indication of allergic  reaction or digestive upset.  Continue with this small quantity for  several days before very gradually increasing it to the recommended  dose.  You can mix it into your hound’s food, make treats with it or  incorporate it into your hound’s daily enrichment.

-  Although rare, some dogs may be allergic.  Watch for signs of itching,  swelling, or difficulty breathing, and stop use immediately if any  symptoms occur.  If they have a severe reaction, get them straight to  the vet.

- If your hound presents  with diarrhoea or vomiting, stop giving them the coconut oil.   Similarly, if they are having it as part of their diet without any  concern, should they become ill, temporarily remove it from their diet.

-  Do not use it to treat constipation and do not use it if your hound has  any underlying health conditions that could be exacerbated by adding  such a high-fat food to their diet.

-  Coconut oil is very calorie dense, so it will impact on their daily  calorific intake and lead to unwanted weight gain if their diet is not  adjusted accordingly.

- You can  use it like toothpaste for your hound, due to its antibacterial  properties, studies into the use of coconut oil directly onto the teeth  and gums in humans has shown positive results in preventing things like  gingivitis and decreasing plaque formation.

-  If applying to the skin, do a patch test first to ensure there is no  reaction, and if all is okay, apply sparingly.  Hounds are likely to  lick at it, and excessive consumption will lead to digestive upset and  due to the high fat content, too much can lead to things such as  pancreatitis.

We have been long  term supporters of using coconut oil in dogs’ diets, or topically, but  it has always been used carefully and removed from the diet at times of  digestive upset or whenever they have been unwell.  

Although,  if we’re being honest, we cannot attest to its effectiveness in  providing any of the benefits mentioned above!  But then we feed high  quality raw diets…so many of the benefits from that overlap with the  ones of coconut oil!

By all  means, have a think about incorporating coconut oil into your hound’s  diet (or just straight up MCT oil, if you do your research VERY  thoroughly and carefully, and consult your vet first) but take claims of  its benefits with a pinch of salt.

It  is a very versatile and natural supplement, and if just for the proven  benefits of improving dental hygiene, cognitive function and helping  control seizures, it is worth exploring, especially if your hound has  epilepsy.  But as mentioned, as with any supplement, care should be  taken in introducing coconut oil to ensure it’s appropriate for your  dog’s individual needs!