A New Twist: Best Coconut Oil For Dogs
You may have found that your dog’s coat isn’t quite as lustrous as it used to be. Perhaps they struggle with allergies or dry skin. Coconut oil is an organic and effective way to soothe irritation, moisturize the skin, and even ward off unwanted fleas or ticks. We did our research and wrote up reviews on our findings of the best coconut oils for dogs in 2023, so you can purchase the product that best satisfies your dog’s individual needs. Coconut oil has favorable benefits to overall health, both topically and internally. If you’ve ever seen a dog with unbelievably lush hair and vibrant skin, it’s not genes, it’s coconut oil. We have also included a buying guide that contains all you need to know before purchasing a jar for your pooch. Whether your furry friend is a breed that suffers from allergies like a Retriever or Terrier, or you are just looking to improve their skin coat and overall health, these canine-specific products are the most helpful.
Buyer's Guide for Finding Premium Coconut Oil for Your Dog
Many dog parents watch, helplessly, as their dogs suffer from skin conditions that cause damage to their skin as well as terrible pain. As a result of allergies or bug bites, a dog’s skin can get dry, cracked, and bloody because of the constant scratching. Often, the dog’s parents are given prescription medications to alleviate these symptoms but they usually induce unpleasant side effects that can result in additional problems.
Coconut oil can treat many of these symptoms and improve your dog’s dry skin, reduce allergies, ward off ticks and give him or her a sleek and shiny coat. The best coconut oils for dogs also come in the form of supplements or treats. If you are interested in using coconut oil with your pooch, it stands to reason that you are going to want to choose the best product available. This guide on buying the best Coconut Oils for dogs in 2021 will inform you about all you need to know before picking a jar off the shelf.
Why coconut oil?
In its natural form, with no additives or preservatives, coconut oil is a magic bullet capable of providing relief and promoting your pet’s overall health without any side effects. It contains numerous vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that help improve cognitive ability, metabolism, and skin coat.
What are the types of coconut oil?
Yes, there are numerous coconut oil products out there for pets. But luckily there are only four main types you need to get familiar with. The differences exist in terms of how they are made, processed and what to use them for. For simplicity, we have compared them below:
Organic vs Non-Organic
Organic coconuts are grown naturally without the aid of chemicals, while non-organic coconuts are grown with fertilizers and may have been treated with pesticides. You should always aim to buy oil sourced from small local, rural producers that farm traditionally. Try to select a coconut oil that is labeled both “organic certified” and “eco-friendly” as this action helps protect the environment and local farmers.
Extra virgin vs Virgin
Virgin oils retain the natural antioxidants and vitamins that make Coconut oil the superfood that it is famous for, but as an extraction process, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil really doesn’t exist. The concept of “extra virgin” is a hangover from Olive Oil. When coconut oil was first becoming commercialized, manufacturers were trying to differentiate the better quality oils from just the normal run-of-the-mill oils. However, the extraction process of Olive Oil is quite different from that of Coconut Oil. Whenever you come across a jar labeled “Extra Virgin Coconut Oil”, just know that you’re paying extra money quite literally for the word “extra” on the label.
Refined vs Unrefined
The most important element of coconut oil and any oil really is to define whether it is “refined” or “unrefined”. Refined oil is low grade and has very little nutrition. It virtually has no anti-oxidants or vitamins left and so If you’re buying refined coconut oil, then you’re losing all the benefits of using coconut oil.
Refined coconut oil has very little if any benefits of real coconut oil as there are Refined is classed as a low-grade oil as it’s been bleached or heated to a high degree and mechanically extracted. It’s basically trying to squeeze out the last drop from whatever is leftover from the virgin extractions. Whatever Coconut oil product you intend on buying for your dog, make sure the oil is refined especially if you’re looking to apply it both topically and internally.
Raw vs Cold Pressed
Cold-pressed coconut oil is the most common way coconut oil can be made/extracted. The oil is extracted by drying and heating the flakes at low temperatures, before pressing them to extract the oil. Cold-pressed coconut oil comes with a strong coconut flavor and has a moderate to high nutritional value due to its restricted heat extraction. It is good for both eating, cooking, and applying topically as it retains a lot of the nutritional benefits of the oil.
Raw coconut oil is pressed from the fresh mature white meat kernel which is why it is referred to as the optimal extraction process. It has such a rich natural white color and flavor and requires little to no heat, or chemicals during the oil-making process. Raw coconut oil is full of antioxidants, nutrients, enzymes, and all the other benefits that coconut oil is famous for.
Can dogs be allergic to coconut oil?
Coconut oil is well tolerated by all breeds of dogs regardless of age. However, overdosing could lead to some side effects, including weight gain and diarrhea. It is always advisable to talk to your vet first before introducing coconut oil into your dog’s daily diet. Although Coconut Oil is known for its immense health benefits, Certain health conditions such as pancreatitis could be exacerbated if it is consumed in large amounts.
What are the optimum dog coconut oils in 2023?
Raw Paws Organic Coconut Oil
– Best Coconut Oils Overall
The Raw Paws Organic Coconut Oil is the truest form of organic oil content you can find that will leave your dog’s skin coat soft and healthy. It is non-GMO and grown without fertilizers, pesticides, dyes, or fragrances. You can feed it to your pup as a treat and be sure they’d love it because it tastes so nice.
This amazing product helps improve digestion by promoting metabolic function, boost immunity, improves skin and coat by relieving itchy dry skin. As a topical treatment, the Raw Paws Organic Coconut Oil helps alleviate painful, dry skin often found on the elbows, paws, nose, and ears of cats and dogs and even goes further to reduce the pain of arthritis. It is cold-pressed and unrefined, making it chemical-free with no preservatives. Raw Paws is 100% natural coconut oil and has the natural phytonutrients and antioxidants of the coconut preserved.
- It protects against fleas and ticks and helps with hot spots
- The container and cap are both BPA Free plastic
- This product contains no chemicals or preservatives and is gluten-free
- The Raw Paws Organic Coconut Oil is quite sensitive to temperature and so may appear as an oil or salve unpredictably
Zesty Paws Coconut Oil
– Runner-Up
Made with natural ingredients, and certified organic by Quality Assurance International, Zesty Paws Coconut Oil is perfect for improving the health of your dog’s skin, and strengthening his immune system. This non-GMO product is derived from unrefined coconut oil, which is sourced from coconut trees that are certified organic. If you are looking to boost your dog’s immune system and ensure healthy skin always, then you might want to consider adding Zesty Paws Coconut Oil to his or her health and wellness routine.
The Zesty Paws Coconut Oil uses 100% certified organic coconuts to create a useful oil that can be applied directly to the skin or eaten as a treat. There aren’t any chemicals added; it’s just pure coconut oil. And, since it’s extra virgin, your pooch will be able to get maximum benefit, particularly from the medium-chain triglycerides that coconut oil is hailed for. It works wonders for dogs of all sizes and breeds.
- This product is certified as USDA Organic
- It helps boost the immune system, maintain the brain, and aid digestion
- It can be mixed with food or applied externally on the skin
- This Zesty Paws Coconut Oil is not a supplement treat, it is coconut oil in liquid form. Other than this, nothing much to complain about this outstanding product
Stuart Pet Supply Coconut Oil
– Honorable Mention
If your dog has flaky, dry skin or scratches consistently, this product can provide relief. The natural ingredients of this coconut oil can relieve the painful, irritating, chafing hot spots that keep your dog sore all day, resulting in healthy skin and shiny, soft fur.
The 100% Certified Organic Stuart Pet Supply Coconut Oil provides a natural source of medium-chain triglycerides (fatty acids), which are a great nutrient for your canine when used as a dietary supplement. It positively affects the digestive and immune systems and supports cognitive ability. It can also be rubbed directly on dry, cracked paws.
- This product is 100% Certified Organic by the USDA
- It can be applied directly on cracked paws
- It contributes to a healthy digestive tract
- The oil may start to solidify after some time into a butter-like thickness. This makes it a bit difficult to be added to the dog’s food
Alpha Pet Zone Coconut Oil
– Also Consider
Whether you are looking for a natural way to ease any afflictions that mar the health of your dog’s skin, or you want to improve your furry friend’s coat, the Alpha Pet Zone Coconut Oil is certainly the best way to enhance your dog’s overall well being. When applied directly to the skin, the result is smooth, rich skin and velvety, silky fur that has a fresh scent. You can’t help but love it.
The Alpha Pet Zone Coconut Oil can treat skin irritation and soothe cracked paws, claws, sores, and calluses as well as a dry, chapped snout. It can also be used as a shampoo to promote hair growth, especially on bald spots. This sensational product also helps reduce dandruff. Use it daily to protect the skin and prevent future problems.
- The Alpha Pet Zone Coconut Oil is raw, organic, cold-pressed, virgin and vegan
- It can be used as a topical treatment and ingested, as well
- When taken internally, this product improves cognition and positively affects your dog’s immune system and digestive tract
- It changes form from salve to oil very quickly, without much temperature variation. You just need to make a conscious effort to keep it at your required form
The CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil has such a lovely taste and creamy texture. This virgin coconut oil is the next best addition to your dog’s maintenance kit.
Made from non-GMO coconuts and certified organic, the CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil gives the best supplements to your precious pooch. It can be ingested internally or applied externally, either way, it works wonders. It is soothing for skin rashes and wounds, ensuring a perfect coat and well-moisturized skin. It can be used orally to eradicate bad breath without leaving a bad taste in the mouth.
- This product is USDA certified organic, virgin, and is made from non-GMO coconuts
- It tastes great and is a very nutritious supplement for your pet’s diet
- It maintains your dog’s healthy skin, digestion, and immunity
- The jar cap doesn’t close securely, so you might want to be careful when handling it
Pet post is one of the highest quality producing manufactures for dog products. If your pup has developed hot spots, or you just want to improve the haleness of his coat, then you need a bottle of Petpost’s Coconut Oil in your cabinet.
Petpost Coconut Oil is loaded with essential nutrients, vitamins, and saturated. It’s obtained from coconut trees that are 100 percent organic. And, in addition, the extra virgin preparation ensures that your dog will be able to take advantage of the various benefits that coconut oil offers.
- 100% organic coconut oil, and can be eaten or applied topically
- The packaging is biodegradable
- Petpost offers a 100 percent “Happy Dog Guarantee” as a testament to the quality of this product. They will give you a full refund no questions asked
- It has a strong scent, and since it is such a potent smell, your dog may be more or less inclined to eat it
People Also Asked
A: Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and turns to liquid at 25 degrees celsius. This doesn't affect the quality of the oil, so you can use coconut oil in solid or liquid form.
A: Yes! Coconut oil is safe for all breeds. It has many benefits and is also great for medicinal purposes.
A: Yes, you can give your dogs coconut oil once or twice a day, together with meals. But if your pet is generally overweight, you may want to reduce the amount of coconut oil in their diet.
A: Pour a small amount of coconut oil into your hands and then massage it into your pet's fur. It will act as a natural conditioner and reduce odour, fleas and itching. You might want to do this monthly or bi-monthly depending on your environment. Applying coconut oil directly on hot spots and sores also helps soothe the pain.
