Coconut Oil

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Was at one of our local Pet Food/Product stores today buying a coat moisturizer that I like to use on Sophie.  She indicated that it was being discontinued.  When I asked if there was anything else she recommended she told me about coconut oil and said that it was one of the newer things being suggested and was having some positive feedback.  Here is an article that I found on line and they make it sound good, but was wondering if anyone has used it and what their thoughts are.  Thanks.

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-health-benefits-of-coconut...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It looks like hokum to me. More "miracle cure" "natural ingredient" snake oil stuff. I can tell you with certainty that the claims for allergies and inflammatory bowel disease are pure fantasy.

Why don't these people ever cite any clinical research or studies with these claims? They've done that with evening primrose oil, which is the reason JD's dermatologist recommends it. There is some hard, non-anecdotal evidence that it works, unlike coconut oil.

I would save my money, and I certainly would not rely on this or any other unproven product to treat a serious immuned-mediated disease, lol.

I'm confused, though. You said you were looking for a moisturizer. It sounds like this stuff is supposed to be taken internally in order to see these "benefits."
Aren't you using fish oil and/or evening primrose oil supplements?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Karen, thanks for saving me a lot of typing. My hokum typing is wearing out certain fingers--or would be if I could really type. I've noticed coconut oil hype elsewhere too.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Yeah! Hokum to me! And this one warranted snake oil, too! 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Thanks for the input Karen.  I thought it sounded a little too good to be true.  Yes, we are using EPO on both girls.  I started using this spray on Sophie clear back when she was like a year old and we had not yet cut her hair.  Some of her hair was a little dry feeling and fuzzy and I would spray her down with this moisturizer and it would sort of help it curl a little more.  What I really like was that it smells really good.  I also rub it on her if she gets a little itchy spot.  She isn't really itchy, but just every now and then after a bath she will have a spot she scratches a little.  The lady said that she uses the coconut oil internally, but that she has also used it to rub on hot spots. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't recommend using any kind of moisturizer, oils or hair products on an itchy dog, and never ever on a hot spot! . It will attract dirt and pollens to the area, for one thing. We're cautioned not to use any kind of products on dogs with inhalant allergies other than shampoo, even when the skin isn't broken.

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

I don't use any of these things on Parker but I was curious as to why you shouldn't use any plant based oils on dogs? I feel like I missed something, but just wondering. You put seal/salmon oil on your doodle's fur/skin?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Andrea's reference was to giving oils orally. She follows a raw meat & bones diet for her dogs and does not feed any plant foods whatsoever, including plant oils. She is talking about giving them salmon oil or seal oil orally, not putting them on the dog.

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

Oh I see...that's why I was confused, because I thought this discussion was about putting it ON the dog's fur/skin...I didn't think it was about feeding the dog coconut oil for moisturized skin.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sheri, here's a discussion about coconut oil from a couple of years ago, and weighing in are a registered dietician and a medical doctor (not F) so I'd think it's pretty good info:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/coconut-oilorganic-extra

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And another one; this time, the MD is F:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/coconut...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Thanks again Karen.  I guess I understood her to say (probably by mistake) that it was sort of a new thing, so didn't even think to do a search first.  Appreciate every ones input.  I'll say my money.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Uh Oh...you brought the Hokum out again! Why do they have to discontinue things we love??