Benefits of Using Coconut Oil on Your Dog

Curious about the benefits of using coconut oil on your dog? You’ve heard of all the amazing benefits to using coconut oil on skin, hair, cuticles, teeth and in your gut. But, have you heard that all these same benefits are true for dogs, too?

Well, they are. In fact, the use of coconut oil is widely promoted within the doggy-community because of its vast array of benefits.

So, lets first understand what part of coconut oil makes it so magical and then we can go onto its fantastic applications to your pup!

Coconut oil is made from coconuts harvested off of the coconut palm and consists mainly of saturated fats.

Within these fatty stores, there’s Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT’s) that offer us and our canine friend benefits such as energy.

Going even deeper into the scientific pool, we see that MTC’s in coconut oil consist mainly of lauric acid. This is the most important reason for the proactive use of coconut oil in dogs; it has clear and natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties!

So, there’s really no reason to resist the calming and organic allure of coconut oil for dogs. Here’s more:

1. It Keeps Coats Blindingly Shiny

There’s two ways you can use coconut oil to keep a dog’s coat gleaming and flowing gracefully in the wind. Topically and by ingestion.

As coconut oil reaps most benefits on the outside of your pup, here at Squishface, we will always recommend using coconut oil topically. Of course, this doesn’t mean that it can’t have many benefits internally, too. These will be touched on later.

However, for now, using coconut oil on the fur is a tried and tested method of bringing out the best in your dog. Well-used for shows and plain showing-off, coconut oil can be applied as part of a shampoo, conditioner or a leave-in remedy.

2. It Works Wonders on Cuts and Grazes

As mentioned, coconut oil’s lauric acid is a natural deterrent to all of nature’s microbial unwanted guests.

If you use coconut oil on any cuts or grazes that your dog has (when it ran into the garden you specifically told it not to), then your dog will be forever grateful.

The market is crammed with remedies for cracked paw pads, cuts and grazes (not to mention the internal medicines that they will never take). Yet, most of them have extra unnecessary ingredients that could cause further irritation to your pup.

Coconut oil, on the other hand, offers natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties while being soothing to the skin, affordable and long-lasting.

3. It Improves Irritated Skin or Allergic Reactions

In a very similar case to being used to tried cuts and grazes, it can also be used for reoccurring skin irritations or allergies.

Often, when a dog has dry or irritated skin, there something at work. For example; allergies, lesions, parasites, fungal infections or environmental changes. So, being the responsible parent at Squishface we are here to let you know that it’s best to take your pup for a visit to their best friend; the vet.

Your vet will be able to tell you the root cause and provide a method of action. But, if the cause is something simple and harmless such as eczema, hay fever or boredom-scratching, you have your treatment right here!

Coconut oil is soothing and thick on the skin, as well as holding water-resistant properties. So, simply apply generously to the area and keep applying until symptoms subside.

4. It Will Eliminate that Doggy Odor

Luckily for us all, coconut oil smells a-mazing. That’s not to say that your dog smells. But, let’s just think about how we can become accustomed to the smells around us. Or, how sometimes your dog will emerge in the distance covered in mud and smelling like he has had a run-in with a skunk.

In those cases, it may be worth applying some coconut oil to your soon-to-be fluffy friend and then take them for a heavenly coconut oil infused bath.

After the bath, apply a generous amount of coconut oil to those hard-to reach areas such as wrinkles and ears with Squishface Wrinkle Paste to maintain the fresh smell and reduce bacteria growth!

5. It’s Great to Keep Those Pearly Whites in Check

This is a bit of a side-hustle when it comes to the use of coconut oil.

While some doggy parents will use dental-treats and others will let nature do its thing, here at Squishface we have a little tip for you.

Apply a pea-sized amount of coconut oil to your pup’s rubber toothbrush and gently clean the teeth in circular motions, being sure to get the sides, back and fangs.

The upside is that dogs – like us – love the taste of coconut and coconut oil. So, there shouldn’t be much resistance and they’ll be licking their lips and toys for days.

6. It Works Wonders to Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

It’s never fun to see a family member change with age, especially when it comes to memory loss, dementia, seizures, and loss of autonomy.

That’s why multiple studies have found that the use of coconut oil can help reduce the effects of ageing in dogs. Coconut oils provide the brain with vitality through its ketones, thus promoting stable nerve functions.

It can be supplied through food or through medical intervention. But, be careful of the amount of coconut oil to use; too much can lead to a wobbly gut. Visit your vet for a guided dosage!

7. It Will Repel Those Pesky Party Crashers

Unfortunately for some, the lauric acid can be fatal. The ‘some’ we talk about; fleas, mites, ticks, and the other unwanted squatters.

Fortunately for others, the lauric acid attacks fleas and can prevent skin diseases such as mange in the process.

All you need to do is simply rub some coconut oil into the coat of your pup before heading out for a walk. So, there’s no need to worry when they inevitably roll around on that sketchy-looking patch of grass or scratch up against a tree.

A good two-in-one remedy for this issue would be the use of Squishface Wrinkle Paste, rubbed into the fur and onto the skin for all-round protection.

8. It Removes Dog Tear Stains

Coconut oil is a fantastic partial natural remedy for dog tear stains. Of course, there’s many reasons why a dog may have these tear stains, so be sure to visit a vet for a prognosis. Or, check out our other blog; “Why Does my Dog Have Tear Stains: The Ultimate Doggy Know-How”.

With Squishface Wrinkle Paste or Squishface Tear Stain Paste – both of which use coconut oil as a base – you can combat these unwanted rusty marks.

Simply wipe the area clean with Squishface Wrinkle Wipes then take a pea-sized amount and rub it onto the tear stain. Be sure to rub it into the skin as well as the fur.

9. It Prevents Yeast or Fungal Infections in Wrinkles and Pockets

As a final benefit for the use of coconut oil, furry families are able to rest sound knowing that yeast infections, bacterial infections, viruses and other fungi are kept at bay with the natural properties of the lauric acid.

Brachycephalic dogs are more susceptible to these infections simply because of their wrinkles on their face, body and pooch. Without sounding too gross, the warm, dark and moist areas of a dog’s folds are the perfect breeding ground.

But, this can be combated with use of coconut oil based wrinkle creams such as Squishface Wrinkle Paste.

Much like the use of the dog tear stain pastes, you simply wipe the area clean with a Squishface Wrinkle Wipes (water will repel the paste as it has water-resistant properties, too!). Then, apply a thin layer of paste into the love handles and onto the skin and leave for 24 hours.

This process will need to be done for a period of 7-10 days continuously. Then, any one day where necessary to keep the barrier in-check!

There you have it! 9 fantastic reasons why using coconut oil is amazing for your lovable pup (especially when used topically).

Don’t forget to grab a tube of Wrinkle Paste to remove your doggo's tear stains and help soothe itchiness with one powerful cream!