If you’ve searched the internet for healthy natural treatments at any time within the last two decades, chances are you’ve come across almost unlimited information on the uses of coconut oil. It can be used as a supplement, a moisturizer, an antibacterial, and a deodorant, just to name a few. But you might be asking what this has to do with your pets?
Your personal protection dogs are no different than any other pet, or human, for that matter, in that they need healthy and nutritious supplemental treatments. The problem is that most products you can buy are laden with chemicals and compounds you can’t even pronounce.
Enter Coconut Oil
It’s no secret that fish oil and flaxseed oils are extremely beneficial to your dog, but you may not know that coconut oil can be just as beneficial, especially during their young years. Coconut oil contains the same ingredients found in breast milk that are crucial to early development.
What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is composed mainly of medium-chain triglycerides, including almost 50% lauric acid, among others, but this is where its primary health benefits come from. Because lauric acid is an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent, it is extremely beneficial to your personal protection dogs in staving off infection.
What are the Benefits of Coconut Oil for Your Personal Protection Dog?
Weight Control
The same ingredients that promote healthy development also balance your protection dog’s thyroid to regulate weight, boost energy and prevent diabetes.
Healthy Skin and Coat
Taken orally or applied topically, coconut oil aids in healing skin conditions, such as allergic reactions and dry skin. It also reduces odor and gives your dogs a healthy, glowing coat.
For wounds and bug bites, coconut oil can be applied liberally for speedy healing and reduced irritation.
Increased Immunity
Because of its powerful germ-fighting powers, ingesting coconut oil regularly can reduce your pet’s risk of infection and illness, including certain types of cancer.
Improved Digestion
Coconut oil aids in better digestion by reducing inflammation and infection in the colon and repelling and eliminating parasites. And even though coconut oil is not a replacement for Omega 3, it aids in the proper absorption of that and other nutrients in your pet’s digestive system.
Stronger Bones
The ingredients found in coconut oil strengthen teeth and bones.
Healthier Joints
Not only does it strengthen the tissue in the muscular-skeletal system, but it also reduces inflammation and swelling, making it ideal for treating your dog’s arthritis.
Oral Health
Speaking of teeth, coconut oil can kill oral bacteria and banish smelly dog breath and gum disease for good.
Where Can You Find Coconut Oil?
Although coconut oil can be found at almost any retail grocery or big chain establishment, you should carefully choose the purest form you can find. You should always purchase virgin or extra virgin organic oil in a glass container.
How Do You Administer Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is extremely safe but may cause diarrhea if you’re not careful with the amounts. The best thing to do is start out slowly, giving your dog about one-quarter of a teaspoon or so a day, depending on his size, and working him up to a teaspoon for every ten pounds of body weight. It may be easiest to simply add the oil to his dog food each morning.
The other way to administer it is to massage one-two tablespoon into your protection dog’s coat and skin, preferably after bathing.
If you notice loose stool after either of these methods, reduce the amount until your dog’s digestive system becomes accustomed to it.
Other forms of coconut, such as the coconut itself and coconut milk can be substituted if it’s more readily available or if your protection dog doesn’t seem to like the taste of the oil. In fact, coconut milk is a fantastic source of electrolytes to give your protection dog on hot days to avoid dehydration. Just make sure to read the ingredients to make sure it’s not laden with sugar or artificial sweeteners.
How Safe is Coconut Oil for Your Dogs?
Aside from possible diarrhea, coconut oil is probably the safest supplement you can give your pets. In fact, Dr. Mercer of Healthy Pets highly recommends it as a supplement and cites a study done on aged beagles who were given diets high in the ingredients contained in coconut oil. The study showed vast improvement in their brain functions over a period of time.
However, if you feel uncomfortable feeding it to your pet for any reason, you should always discuss them with your veterinarian or any trained professionals that might be available wherever there are personal protection dogs for sale.
Bottom Line
Your pets need to be protected as much as they protect you, so it’s best to always seek alternative remedies and treatment whenever available. Coconut oils are a wonderful health supplement that you can feel good about giving your pets, and that won’t add unnecessary chemicals to their bodies.
