Coconut Oil Benefits for You
and the Dog

Instead of essential fatty acids, coconut oil benefits include antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal elements. It helps skin and coat - plus it's yummy.

Here's what you should know.

I'm writing about coconut oil because I like it for myself and the dogs. It doesn't go rancid, it's versatile and it's pretty inexpensive.

I think it improves my skin and my energy ...and my dogs believe it's candy.

In a nutshell (am I funny or what?) you can eat it, cook with it and rub it into your skin and hair. Oh, and you can put it inside that Kong toy for a healthy dog treat that’s far better than peanut butter, especially if you use the stuff with additives like Skippy and Jiff.

When I was growing up, coconut oil was used in lots of foods but it fell out of favor when companies producing vegetable oils wanted the business and did their best to give it a bad reputation. They did well because it all but disappeared.

Yes coconut oil is a saturated fat but it has no long chain fatty acids. Instead the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil are rare in nature and highly health beneficial. They are quickly digested, producing energy instead of body fat and arterial plaque like long chain fatty acids. About 50 percent of the fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, which strengthens the immune system.

When Good Oils Go Bad

Some of the other oils that are healthy if produced properly are:

  • olive oil
  • saflower oil
  • sunflower oil
  • flax oil
  • nut oils


For maximum benefit, they should be organic and cold pressed which does not introduce any heat when obtaining the oil from its source.

The problem with these oils is they go rancid, or spoil. Here's where coconut oil shines. You can store it for months in the cupboard and it won't go bad.

If you have other oils in the house that can sit for months in the cupboard like cooking oils, they are probably hydrogenated.

What are Hydrogenated Oils ?

Hydrogenation is the process of heating oil and passing hydrogen bubbles through it. With no nutritional value, it becomes more of a toxin than a food because we can’t convert it to energy so we must store it, making us fat and unhealthy.

In the last stages of oil processing (refining), the oil is literally steam distilled to remove its rancid odor! Yummy huh?

How to get the Most Coconut Oil Benefits

I buy organic, cold pressed, virgin coconut oil, which is the most nutritious and minimally processed. It resembles shortening in consistency and is a pearly clearish white.

Even though it's not liquid, it has a very low melting point. An example is when I use it on my skin. I scoop just a tiny bit out of the jar and it melts as I rub it into my hands or on my face. (It takes about an hour to really soak into your skin so don't use it before you read a book or are headed out the door.)

Fish Oil or Coconut Oil ?

This is kind of a trick question to see how much you're paying attention. Actually one is not a substitute for the other. Fish oil has essential fatty acids which are vital to every metabolic function in your body.

And Coconut oil benefits include its healing properties, it is metabolized quickly and can aid in weight loss.

Both are great for dog health and yours too. I'm nearly done with my first jar of coconut oil so I'm headed to the store today for more. I love the stuff.

Hopefully I can refrain from touching my soft face while I'm shopping. I'd rather not make a spectacle of myself.

› Coconut Oil Benefits

Notice: Supplements for Your Dog

