Pets

Coconut Oil for Cats and Dogs

People have used coconut oil for generations as a health food and natural healer, with documented success. It can improve digestion, clear up skin problems, boost energy levels, aid in weight loss, fight infections, balance blood sugar and bring improvement to numerous other conditions. Those in the equine industry, and pet owners, are discovering it delivers the same benefits for their animals. 

 

Why choose Coconut oil for your pet?

Reduction or elimination of body odour and bad breath

The powerful anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties in coconut oil assist with elimination of body odour and bad breath. Coconut oil will deodorise anything it touches and will make all those dog kisses smell better when used as a dietary supplement.

It also will make your fur baby glow, with a shiny and healthy looking coat.

Healthier skin and elimination of rashes, itchiness

Coconut oil can reduce or even clear up skin conditions such as eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis, itchy skin etc.

It contains powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agents that help prevent infection and disease while nourishing and healing the skin.

Most importantly it will not irritate your pet’s delicate skin when used topically on cuts, bites, stings and infections. 

As a saturated fat consisting primarily of medium chain fatty acids (MCTs), it is not easily oxidised and does not cause harmful free radical damage.

For topical application, rub/massage into your pets skin several times a day.

It also will make your fur baby glow, with a shiny and healthy looking coat.

Better digestion

  • Improves digestion and nutrient absorption
  • Aids healing of digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel syndrome and colitis
  • Aids in elimination of hairballs and coughing

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Reduction of excess weight

The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) regulate and balance insulin promoting normal thyroid function. 

MCTs are easily digested and they increase the body’s metabolism thus providing energy and weight loss.

Coconut oil helps prevent and can aid control of diabetes.

It aids with arthritis and ligament problems that often come with over weight animals.

Rancid oils reduce the palatability of a feed and interfere with the utilisation of fat-soluble vitamins and may cause damage to muscle organ tissue if consumed.

Some of the medium chain triglyceride (Lauric, Capric and Caprioc acids) in coconut oil possesses anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.  These fatty acids may assist the horse’s immune system in fighting off viral and bacterial challenges, leading to improved overall gut health and a reduction in ulcers and laminitis, and overall wellbeing.

Fat is an important energy source for the high-performance horse. High-fat diets provide a safe, efficient energy source that will improve a horses’ performance, minimize the risk of colic and founder, and usually be more cost effective.

Non-heating Energy Source - fizzing generally comes from high starch/grain diets where there is a risk of starch overload into the hindgut.  The risk of starch overload can be minimised by replacing some grain with oil, to provide energy.  Coconut oil provides a source of cool energy resulting in non ‘fizzy’ behaviour.

Oil is very energy dense and yields about 2 ¼ times more energy than starch or protein.  This may be useful for a number of reasons including reduction in gut fill and feed intake required to sustain maintenance and exercise.

Dysbiosis (Leaky gut syndrome) – is a gut disorder commonly affecting horses fed high levels of sugar and starch (NSC or non-structural carbohydrate)from pastures, grain and grain based feeds.  Feeding natural products such as medium chain triglycerides (MCT) that are reported to have possible anti-microbial actions is thought to preserve gut health.

Equine Muscle disorder – horses suffering from ‘tying up’ need low –carb/non carb energy diets, so partial replacement of grains with oil in the diet may aid in the management of the condition.

Glycogen - is the form in which animals store carbohydrates in their bodies, for later use as energy.

Saturated fats such as those found in coconut oil are more effective at enhancing muscle glycogen storage than the unsaturated fats found in other vegetable oils (eg: RICE BRAN, CORN, FLAX, OY BEAN).

Horses are able to utilise oil for energy during submaximal/anaerobic activity.  This means delay of the onset of fatigue and increased capacity for high-intensity exercise. 

Non-heating Energy Source - fizzing generally comes from high starch/grain diets where there is a risk of starch overload into the hindgut. The risk of starch overload can be minimised by replacing some grain with oil, to provide energy.  Coconut oil provides a source of cool energy resulting in non ‘fizzy’ behaviour. 

Oil is very energy dense and yields about 2 ¼ times more energy than starch or protein.  This may be useful for a number of reasons including reduction in gut fill and feed intake required to sustain maintenance and exercise.

Improved immune system function

Relief for arthritic like symptoms

Coconut oil benefits arthritic like symptoms because of the potent anti-inflammatory properties of its medium-chain fatty acids. All of them help to reduce chronic inflammation in the system and support tissue healing and repair.

Coconut oil can be used to relieve the inflammation that is often brought on by arthritis. Massaging coconut oil into the affected joints will not only lessen the amount of inflammation that occurs, but it will also relieve the pain associated with the swelling.  Coconut oil adds strength to the bones and acts as an agent that soothes arthritis pain in the bones and joints.

Improved energy and cognitive function

Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT) that are easier to digest, absorb and utilise in comparison to the long-chain fatty acids found in other oils such as maize, soy, canola and rice-bran oil. MCT absorb directly into the portal blood and are transported to the liver. By comparison, long chain fatty acids are absorbed into the lymphatic’s and slowly transported to the liver. Further, MCT appear to behave more like glucose than other oils, meaning coconut oil provides a ready source of energy. Learn More

Can reduce the instance of Salmonella in poultry

Research is on-going however several studies undertaken revealed that caprylic acid from coconut oil were highly effective in killing Salmonella Enteritis. Learn More

Wound Care

Coconut oil contains powerful anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties that when applied to broken skin (cuts, bites and stings) it not only soothes and cleans the wound but promotes healing.  

Digestion

Animals suffer from stomach upsets from changes in diets, poor diets, parasites, old age. 

The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti-microbial properties that help balance the intestinal flora and may assist with bacteria, fungi and  parasites that cause indigestion.

Coconut oil also helps in absorption of other nutrients such as Omega 3.

Learn More

Dosage

Cats, Small Dogs, Birds: 1 tsp daily
Medium/Large Dogs: 1 tbsp daily

Introduce to the diet gradually over a week and then commence full dose. 

Mix with feed or serve as is. For fussy pets melt the oil in the microwave and pour over the feed.

Note: Coconut oil should never be used as a substitute for treatments prescribed by your veterinarian. Always work closely with your holistic vet when adding a new supplement to your pets diet.

Get all this info and more in our digital brochure!

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