These days most of the people have heard of the natural goodness of coconut oil. But until a few years ago I never realized that I could use coconut oil for dogs, especially that I could use coconut oil on a dog’s itchy skin. Sure, I knew a lot about the health benefits of products like safflower and olive oil. But then coconut oil came into my life in an extremely helpful way thanks to our rescue pup Maizy.
Coconut Oil For A Dog’s Itchy Skin? This is how it works. Photography © R.Tsubin | Getty Images.
Using Coconut Oil For A Dog’s Itchy Skin – A Success Story
Because of her hunting dog heritage, Maizy is what I like to refer to as a serial sniffer. She dissects the dog parks every spring and follows the scents of squirrels, rabbits and other dogs, and who knows what else. Often times, she gets so excited about this activity that she barely responds to her own name.
One day Maizy’s investigation took her straight into an overgrown thicket of weeds and wildflowers … and that resulted in an angry looking rash on her ears and neck. The drugs used to treat her skin left her excessively dry, and I think she was excessively itchy too. Because she scratched and scratched and scratched. After several weeks without sleep from this prickly, ubiquitous problem – and after trying a number of medicated ointments and shampoos to no avail – we finally visited a holistic veterinarian.
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His suggestion to use coconut oil on a dog’s itchy skin surprised me. Treat this problem from the inside out, he said. That meant cutting down on carbs and grains to minimize the yeast on Maizy’s skin. It also meant giving her a serving of pure coconut oil each day and rubbing something on her skin and fur. We tried for a couple of weeks and WOW. Not only did Maizy lose the yeasty smell of bag-o-fritos dogs, her skin became clearer and her fur looked shinier than ever. The moment our other rescue pup, Grant, smelled the coconut oil, he naturally wanted to join in. Now both of them regularly reap the delicious benefits of coconut oil.
Why Coconut Oil For Dogs? And why coconut oil for a dog’s itchy skin?
So what are the benefits of coconut oil for dogs and coconut oil for a dog’s itchy skin? According to integrative animal care expert Dr. Karen Becker natural coconut oil has antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiprotozoal properties. This means that on contact, yeast and fungi can be reduced from both the inside and the outside. and it is also very beneficial for irritated skin, hot spots, abrasions and cracked paws. The “virgin” variety usually starts with fresh coconut meat and is therefore not subject to any chemical processes such as bleaching or filtering. This makes it safe for dogs, cats, and humans to ingest in appropriate amounts.
My vet quoted Dr. Becker’s work, explaining that coconut oil is high in a medium chain fatty acid (MCFA) called lauric acid. This substance is most commonly found in mammalian milk and one of its main functions is to strengthen the immune system. This is why coconut oil is so effective in eliminating bacterial and viral infections. Like pumpkin, it can also help ease digestion and upset the stomach. And just like the vet predicted, it gave my two dogs super soft fur.
Now that we know that coconut oil can work for a dog’s itchy skin, how do we give it to our dogs? Photography by Africa Studio / Shutterstock.
How to use coconut oil on a dog’s itchy skin – and other diseases
It’s always smart to start small when feeding your puppy something new – especially coconut oil, which my own dogs would gobble up without proper supervision. At my house, we started with about 1/4 teaspoon and gradually increased to 1/2 teaspoon per dog, once or twice a day.
You can also:
- Drizzle a little over your puppy’s food as coconut oil liquefies easily at room temperature.
- Mold a small blob around pills or tablets that your pet may otherwise want to refuse.
- Rub a little between your palms, run it over your pet’s fur, and brush lightly. Work the rest into your own hands for serious skin softening benefits.
Nutty nuggets. Photography by Marybeth Bittel.
Nutty Nuggets * – a treat with coconut oil for dogs
And here’s a simple recipe for a no-bake indulgence that is a huge hit with Grant and Maizy because it naturally contains … coconut oil. You can chill or freeze these tasty bites and thaw as needed. They’re even safe for pet parents to try. Um … not like I know anything about it.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of crispy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons of organic pumpkin or applesauce
- 2 to 2 3/4 cups of oat, spelled, or quinoa flour
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon of natural vanilla extract
- A shot of cinnamon
- Peanut butter powder (optional)
MANUAL:
- In a large bowl, add coconut oil, peanut butter, pumpkin / applesauce, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir until everything is well mixed.
- Start by adding flour about 1/4 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add until the batter mixture is well combined and pliable. If the mixture gets too stiff, add a little more pumpkin or applesauce.
- Spoon the mixture into servings about the size of mini meatballs. Shape these into round or oblong pieces by rolling between your palms.
- Finally, if desired, roll each piece in dry, powdered peanut butter to coat it.
- Arrange the finished goodies on a plate or pan with waxed paper.
- Store in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
* A word of caution: Always ask your veterinarian before feeding your pooch anything new. This is especially true if your dog is already struggling with health problems such as kidney problems or pancreatitis. While these nutty nuggets are natural and healthy, they’re high in fat and should be used occasionally. They are not intended to replace your pet’s normal diet.
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Thumbnail: Photography Placebo365 / Getty Images.
This piece was originally released in 2015.
