coconut and fish oil

[Lynn Stoops]

Hello

I am on another FB page for canine nutrition and the subject (never ending debate) of coconut oil started.  There are several holistic vets on the FB group and they stated that coconut oil CAN be digested by canines just NOT as efficiently as humans and that there are MANY benefits to giving canines coconut oil just don't reply on the coconut oil for balancing your Omega 3 and 6.  Does this sound correct?  I have read numerous articles by other animal nutritionist  that disagree with using coconut oil and that canines CANNOT digest coconut oil or any plant based oils and there is no reason to give coconut oil to canines.

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

 

I saw this article on fish oil and Vitamin E.  What are your thoughts???

http://holisticandorganixpetshoppe.com/i-almost-killed-my-dog-with-...

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

When it comes to health issues, either for myself or my dog, I rely on fact-based clinically proven information and not anecdotal stories or anything on FB, lol. 

There is no real, scientific evidence that there is any benefit whatsoever in giving coconut oil to dogs. (In fact, there is not much evidence that there's any benefit in humans taking it, either, but that's beside the point.) 

The article you linked above from Dogs Naturally magazine about coconut oil contains a lot of inaccurate information; it also cites no studies or any type of evidence for the claims. 

Here's an article from Lew Olson, who does have a PhD in canine nutrition, in which she gives fact based information on coconut oil and the reasons why it is not useful for dogs: https://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/is-coconut-oil-useful-for-dogs/

From a personal standpoint, I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to give a dog coconut oil. 

Regarding fish oil, the second link you provided is an anecdotal story, No facts, no science, no references, no sources, and frankly, no proof. Anyone can say that anything harmed or killed their dog. 

On the other hand, there is lots and lots of fact based scientific evidence that the Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are beneficial to both humans and dogs, and DHA and EPA are only found in fish. 

Jack has several reliably diagnosed health issues including allergies and digestive disease, and is under the care of a few veterinary specialists, including an internal medicine specialist, a dermatology specialist, and yes, a holistic veterinarian. Every one of them has recommended that he get fish oil supplements. All three are also of the opinion that there is no proven benefit in giving coconut oil, and that there may even be harm in giving it to Jack, as there is the possibility that it can increase inflammation. The opinions of people who have had 7 years of vet school and dozens of years specializing in treating dogs with all kinds of health issues is good enough for me. 

[Lynn Stoops]

Thanks!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Although the fish oil story, as Karen pointed out, is anecdotal, there still may be some truth to it. Not all things resonate or agree with everyone. I know that coconut oil is one of the current hot "superfoods" and many people believe they get health benefits from it. I,however, feel absolutely terrible when I eat it.  Perhaps I am the Neo of the human species?? LOL   As with humans, perhaps some dogs are genetically predisposed to being intolerant of certain nutrients?  So what is nutrition for 99% of the population is poison to the other 1%. I have family members that cannot properly metabolize Vitamin B12 so perhaps the Mastiff has a similar issue? Unable to properly metabolize vitamin A or E??  I have given Tara fish oil for years with no issues. That being said, it is also important to have a high quality human grade fish oil that has had impurities removed. Due to the pollution of the oceans it is getting harder to find fish that aren't contaminated with heavy metals or chemicals. :( So it's hard to know what dynamics were in play that caused Neo to improve with the changes she made in his nutrients but I'm glad it worked for him. :)

 On the subject of coconut oil and dogs...I too can't figure out why people would want to give it to a dog... The benefits listed in the article were given by a  nutritionist/naturopathic doctor for humans so I don't know how he would know what is good for a DOG. Dogs are not people.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Dogs are not people but as a people doctor I cannot imagine coconut oil is good for dogs or people.

[Malenie Piscetelli]

Karen, I have a question. Is it ok to give my goldendoodle for salmon oil? Anyway Lucy doesn't like coconut oil begin with. She hate it. I am glad I don't give to her. I used it for my skin and it's great. Lol

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, it's fine to give her salmon oil, in moderate amounts. Too much can cause diarrhea. 

[Malenie Piscetelli]

Thank you Karen

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I realize that it is completely lacking in scientific evidence and purely anecdotal, but I am going to go out on a limb and say that the one thing I know for certain about coconut oil is this: It makes absolutely the BEST brownies!  :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's one use for coconut oil that makes perfect sense to me. 

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Coconut oil and vitamin E oil are the main ingredients in my homemade winter scrub which helps my dry skin and in turn psoriasis tremendously, but the coconut oil can easily be substituted with any other oil...I would just rather smell like a coconut. :)

Also, my dogs LOVE the stuff. I massage it into their paws if they're dry and I have to put a glob in their mouth or they lick it all off and bug me the whole time I'm doing it.

(There's no harm in using it as a paw butter is there? It's melting point just makes it easy to use for this)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think coconut oil used in lotions smells wonderful. And as you said, any type of oil used externally is going to have moisturizing properties, for human skin. 

I don't see the harm in using it sparingly on paw pads, but I'd go easy on the globs, lol. 

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Luckily Oklahoma has had a mild winter (mid 70's this week!) so I don't need to use it very often. The faster I work the less globs I have to use to keep them occupied, good motivation! ;)