Coconut: An Unassuming Super Food
As pet owners we are always looking for natural ingredients that may improve our dog's health. One ingredient that has shown to be especially beneficial is coconut.
Coconut is made up of a beneficial fatty acid chain called Lauric acid (Interestingly, the only other abundant natural source of Lauric acid is human breast milk). When dogs and humans synthesize Lauric acid it produces something called monoglyceride monolaurin. This substance helps fight and destroy viruses (and various pathogenic bacteria), thus protecting your pets from infection and boosting their immune systems. Additionally, coconut contains albumin, which is a water-soluble protein found in many animal tissues and liquids. This protein, which is also found in salmon, significantly assists in the formation of red blood cells.
According to Dr. Bruce Fife, certified nutritionist and naturopathic doctor, coconut oil elevates metabolism and boosts energy by helping to regulate the thyroid. He also maintains that coconut can help protect against illnesses and speed up the healing process. Other benefits of coconut may include; an improved skin and coat; improved digestion; reduction in odor; and minimized allergic reactions. Coconut oil can even be used to help kill worm eggs and rid your pet of ear mites.
Coconut is often ingested, but it can also be used topically. Application of the oil onto cuts can help disinfect and promote healing. It can also be used to clear up several skin problems, such as dandruff, pre-cancerous lesions, ringworm, bites, and stings. The next time you see your dog with hot spots and dry skin, consider using coconut oil to alleviate the symptoms.
Now that you know the benefits of coconut, you may be asking yourself how you can incorporate this fantastic ingredient into your dog's diet. This is easier than you may think, as coconut comes in several forms. It is available in fresh solid, water, oil, milk, dried solid, and flour forms. Fresh, dried, and liquid forms can be added as is to your dog's food. The optimum amount for dogs is about 1 teaspoon daily per 10 pounds of body weight, or 1 tablespoon per 30 pounds of body weight. Coconut milk is an excellent alternative to condensed milk in some recipes (watch our 'Mini Pup-kin Pie' video on Good Dog Food TV to see how you can use coconut in home-baked dog treats), and coconut flour or oil can be used in place of regular flour and vegetable oil in baked dog treats (if you don't feel like cooking you can order our nutritious Pina Colada Doggie Truffles here).
Note: When coconut is introduced to your dog's diet, he or she may go through a detoxification process. This is due to coconut's antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. To ensure this process is gradual you should introduce it slowly.
