Coconut Oil for your Cat or Dog
Topically
- can help with allergies, dry skin, itchiness, and overall coat health.
If given Internally,
coconut oil can benefit a cat’s immune system, help with hairballs, reduce arthritis inflammation, improve bad breath, and help with a healthy stomach, she says.
While coconut oil does have some benefits for cats, if not good at digesting it, it could result in upset stomachs or diarrhea. So always only give min dosing for a toy dog or cat .e.g 1/8 to 1/4 in meals.
(I, myself cannot tolerate too much coconut oil without it causing nausea and stomach upset.)
Not to use if your pet has digestive issues e.g Pancreatitis
“Since it is high in saturated fats, I would be cautious using it in cats with pancreatic inflammation, and some cats can be sensitive to it,” she says. Stupine also worries about the risk of pancreatitis and says that the use of coconut oil for cats should be monitored carefully.
Alternatives to Coconut Oil for Cats
If your cat won’t tolerate coconut oil, there are alternatives to consider. Coconut oil seems to be used in a manner similar to fish oil, though coconut oil doesn’t have the Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil.