Think coconut oil is good for your pup? You might want to think again! New research shows that the negative impacts of coconut oil could outweigh the benefits.
Almost all the benefits of coconut oil come from medium chain triglycerides, known as MCTs. They fuel the brain, reduce the severity and number of seizures, help lose weight, and lower blood sugar level.
While the benefits from MCTs are numerous, coconut oil is very high in saturated fat. Its saturated fat level is over 80%, which when compared with butter (63%) and pork lard (39%) is tremendously high.
In dogs, coconut oil has been shown to be inflammatory and can cause leaky gut. In fact, the ASPCA has advised owners to avoid giving dogs coconut oil because it can irritate the gut lining- causing an upset stomach, loose stools, and diarrhea.
While the conclusion here is that coconut oil is not beneficial to your dog, you can still find other ways to give your pup the benefits of MCTs! Try starting small, using ⅛ tsp of MCT oil (any more can cause diarrhea).
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