Coconut oil/organic extra virgin

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

I presently have my 5 month old Labradoodle pup on icelandic salmon oil. Is anyone using coconut oil instead of or alternating with salmon oil? I am now reading about how wonderful the coconut oil is but I want to hear from anyone else that is using this and what it has done for your dog. Thank you so much!

[Adina P]

Coconut oil is a completely different type of fat/oil than fish oil. Fish oil provides essential fatty acids (omega 3, omega 6) and coconut does not. So it's not an issue of replacing one for the other because they don't give the same benefits.

As far as the stuff you've read about coconut oil, was this in relation to DOGS or humans?

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

Thanks for clarifying this Adina! I have read several articles recently about coconut oil for your dog so I was curious if anyone had any other info about it. Here is a link to an article I read this morning.

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendI...

I would have to do a lot more research but was curious. I know DK has so many wise and wonderful members that I wanted to start here. I will definitely not be taking my Echo off salmon oil anytime soon after your explanation! Thanks again!

[Adina P]

The only thing I was concerned about in the article is the incredibly long list of things it 'cures' or helps with. I know human nutrition (that's what my degree is in and what my job involves) rather than dog nutrition but there are some parallels.

--For instance, there is no one ingredient that can cure or help with everything.
--Plants are amazing and lots of research points to a myriad of benefits of plant based foods. ALL plant based foods have multiple health benefits (unless a human is allergic to it or it's toxic for a dog), but every now and then ONE plant food gets 'famous' and touted as this amazing 'cure all."

For these reasons I'm REALLY conservative when it comes to supplements. I just don't see a reason to give supplements if there is not solid research behind it. I have seen decent research behind omega-3 fats and they are essential for humans (meaning we NEED them but can only get them from food or supplements because our bodies can't make them the way we can make other fats).

But before I add stuff to my dog's diet, I prefer to see research of appropriate dosage and benefit or need.
There is a ton of possible supplements one can buy...after all supplement makers are business folks just like any other product makers.

But which one is really necessary or demonstrably useful? That's the question...and I, personally, don't put much weight on testimonials...I need to see peer-reviewed literature on the matter.

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

This is EXACTLY why I came to DK, for the wise opinions and valuable knowledge! Thank you Adina, for replying to my query. Everything you stated makes perfect sense and I am going to follow your lead. When I read the article it sure sounded like a cure all to me too. That in itself is a red flag. I was just wondering if anyone here had better information or knowledge regarding this "wonder supplement". As we all know, if it sounds to good to be true than it probably isn't!

[Adina P]

Take what I say with a grain of salt =) I know human nutrition, but NOT dog nutrition. But in both having research to back up supplements is not a bad idea I think.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The medium chain triglycerides, which is really what is being touted in your link, have long been popular with bodybuilders for some of the claimed benefits listed. There are some risks involved. Here's a more informative article on them.
I'm with Adina on this one. Science is science. I'd stick with the salmon oil.
http://www.answers.com/topic/medium-chain-triglycerides

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

Great article. Thank you Karen and Jack. I'm with you guys. I'm going to stick with the salmon oil :)

[1i86r4x3nftnw]

What does this do for the dogs I have never heard of giving your dogs fish oils does it benefit their coats and is there fish oils for dogs or is it the human oils
I am very curious

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

EFA's (essential fatty acids) are omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which are called "essential" because the body cannot make them, and must obtain them from food. They are very important for proper functioning of many organs and body systems, including the heart, and especially beneficial for the skin & coats of our dogs. You have probably heard about the benfits of Omega3 in particular in ads for various vitamins and supplements for humans.
My adopted labradoodle Jack has a very severe form of allergy called atopic dermatitis, and EFA's in the form of evening primrose oil were prescribed for him by his specialist. Most people use fish oils, which are very good, too. EFA's are added to many commercial dog foods, but not in enough volume to do very much. The fish or plant oil capsules that people use are human supplements, but you can also buy wild salmon oil in pet supply stores to be sprayed on the dog's food. It smells awful, and I prefer the capsules, but either is fine. The primrose oil that I give Jack has been shown in clinical trials to work along with antihistamines to help his skin condition.

[Cam & Oski]

I'm not a veterinarian, but coconut oil is not a healthy form of fat/oil for humans as it has a lot of saturated fats which are converted into cholesterol in humans, resulting in cardiovascular disease (increasing your risk of strokes, heart attack, high blood pressure & other undesirable diseases). I would think that dog metabolism/physiology wouldn't be that much different from humans in the conversion of fats.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=532

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, why the heck didn't you answer the above question, too, Cam? How'd I do?
(For those who don't know, Cam is a people doctor...otherwise known as an MD)