Coconut oil has become very popular for its many uses. It can be used for weight loss, haircare, skincare, beauty, and cooking. With its many uses can it be used on your canine friend’s paws?
Coconut oil has become very popular for its many uses. It can be used for weight loss, haircare, skincare, beauty, and cooking. With its many uses can it be used on your canine friend’s paws?
Coconut oil is made from the flesh and kernel of mature coconuts. There are several processes of extracting the oil, such as cold-pressed, a wet process, and a dry process.
It’s sold as a solid-state oil, and it has a high melting point. This means that it can be stored for a long time without becoming rancid.
It has 90% saturated fats, and much of that is made of lauric acid. Lauric acid is known for its uses in skincare, and in treating a number of skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. More than half of the fats in coconut oil are MCTs, or Medium Chain Triglycerides. MCTs are easier to digest and process because of their shorter length.
One of the biggest benefits of using coconut oil is that it is completely natural, and is safe to ingest.
Coconut oil has many benefits for both human and animal skin and can act as a natural balm for paws.
Dogs, like people, can suffer from dry skin. Their paws can become dry, sore, itchy and flaky. If you notice your dog biting at his paws more than usual, it could be caused by dry skin. Excessive biting at the paws can also cause small cuts and wounds, which are painful, and can make him lick and bite at his paws even more. Massaging some coconut oil into his paws can moisturize them, preventing itchy, flaking skin.
Dogs can suffer from sore paws just from walking, and running on different surfaces. Coconut oil can help protect their paws from getting sore and irritated. It not only moisturizes the skin on the paws, but it can act as a protective balm, and create a barrier between your dog’s paws, and any irritants.
Cuts and wounds on your dog’s paws can easily become infected as they’re exposed to the outside world. Every dog parent knows that you can’t use a regular anti-fungal, disinfectant or antiseptic cream or ointment on a dog without a bandage to stop him from licking at it. Every dog parent also knows that they don’t like to keep bandages on!
Coconut oil is a natural anti-fungal, antibiotic, and antiseptic oil. It can help protect wounds from infection, while still being completely safe if your dog licks at it.
Coconut oil is packed full of vitamins and minerals that are very beneficial for skin health. As healthy skin heals faster, coconut oil can help heal any wounds your dogs have. The same minerals and vitamins can also reduce the appearance of scars, and keep the skin in that area healthy, moisturized and soothed.
Hot sand and hot sidewalks can cause some burning to your dog’s paws. This can be very painful and very irritating for him. Coconut oil can help ease the pain, soothe the burn and relieve the irritation.
As we mentioned earlier, there are several different ways of extracting oil from coconuts. Each of these ways produces a different quality of the oil. For dogs, it’s always recommended that you use an organic, cold-pressed virgin oil. This means that it’s pure coconut oil from organic coconuts and it hasn’t been exposed to heat.
Hemp Infused coconut oil is a good alternative to traditional coconut oil, as it has the added benefits of CBD! CBD is a naturally occurring compound in Hemp plants that has many benefits. For topical solutions, it offers pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a logical choice for medicating your dog's paws!
Coconut oil has a number of other benefits for dogs as well as being great for the skin.
The MCTs in coconut oil can help to balance your dog’s thyroid levels. This can help him lose weight more easily, and improve his energy levels. This makes it easier for him to exercise, and can also help him maintain a healthy weight. Some research also suggests that coconut oil can help boost metabolism, burn calories, and helps your dog feel fuller for longer, making him less likely to beg for food!
There is also evidence that the MCTs in coconut oil can help improve brain function. This can be especially important for an older dog.
Coconut oil is known for its benefits for the skin, and your dog’s coat. It can help keep the coat shiny, and the hair healthy. It keeps the skin supple and moisturized. It can even be used to help keep dry, cracked doggy noses wet and healthy.
Coconut oil can improve digestion in a few ways. Firstly, it’s easier to digest that many other fats. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory, so it can help ease any irritations in the digestive system or bowel. Secondly, it can help keep your dog’s gut healthy by preventing an overload of ‘bad’ gut bacteria. And thirdly, it can help increase the number of nutrients your dog gets from his food.
Coconut oil has anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. It’s edible and safe for dogs, so it makes a fantastic natural toothpaste. It can heal gums, improve bad breath, prevent plaque build-up, and whiten teeth.
Coconut oil has been known to repel fleas and ticks. It can be used by rubbing it all over your dog’s body, or it can be added to his diet.
With so many benefits, more and more dog parents are adding coconut oil to their dog’s diets, or to their daily grooming routines. The improvements are mind-blowing.
Meet The Author
Canine Specialist & Writer
Grant is an award-winning writer for SitStay with a passion for pets and especially dogs! Grant loves writing about furry little goofballs and aims to educate pet parents about anything and everything regarding their dogs.
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