coconut for dog

Is it true coconut can be good for dogs?

From oil to coconut meat to coconut flour, coconut in many forms can be beneficial to add to your pet’s diet. Coconut oil can reduce inflammation, improve skin troubles, and fur. Coconut flour is a great substitute for wheat, a known allergen to some dogs.

Other potential nutritional benefits of coconut

Although widely anecdotal, scientific studies show coconut in all its forms has promise to help with a multitude of issues dogs may suffer from. As with humans, the study of affectiveness and benefit of coconut is still being researched. However we do know a few definative truths.

Coconut is proven to be:

  • Antibacterial
  • Natural probiotic
  • Rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)
  • Rich In Lauric Acid

In 2013 a study of Older Beagles showed an improvement in cognitive brain function after adding the supplement of MCT to their diet

Coconut has the potential to help with the following issues.

  • Joint pain
  • Inflammation and circulation
  • Improves digestion
  • Brain function in older pets
  • Freshens breath
  • Beneficial as a tooth cleaner
  • Diabetes

Why Coconut Flour?

There are several reasons why coconut flour is a good choice for your dog or cat especially if your pet has a wheat allergy. Coconut flour is gluten-free, it is considerably lower in calories than other flours. coconut is higher in fiber and protein than wheat flour. For pups that are a little chonky yet motivated by food, treats made with coconut flour could be a beneficial healthy option.

“Coconut meat is high in lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid. In less scientific terms, this basically means that the body is able to absorb the molecules whole, using them as a direct source of energy. Lauric acid is particularly good at fighting off viruses, such as influenza. It also helps treat yeast infections, ringworm, and Giardia. It also holds some major anti-inflammatory properties — it has greatly reduced swelling in rats during laboratory studies.”

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Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can be added directly to your pet topically. It can help with dry itchy patches and it can help maintain a shiny healthy coat. It is a great moisturizer for dry cracked paw pads as well. There is no reason to be concerned it your pet licks it off as it is not harmful.

In Sri Lanka Coconut oil is commonly used to treat mange and repel ticks

It can also be added to pet food as a supplement. Often times dog like the taste so it should be pretty easy to convince even a picky dog.

When adding to food a good rule of thumb is 1 tsp per 10lbs of weight

Cookbook for dogs

Can coconut flour be good in dog treats?

YES! Using coconut flour in whole or in part can be a great lower-calorie high protein treat your dog can enjoy.

However, “Flour” sounds a little misleading. Coconut flour is the meaty flesh of the coconut that has been dried and ground finely into a fine flour. It is an exciting ingredient to work with because it is very absorbent. When substituting coconut flour for a traditional flour like wheat, it is common to only add 1/2 the amount of flour. It does retain a coconut smell and flavor.

Dogs seem to have more of a sweet tooth than cats.

At home, we tried these. The dog enjoyed them and didn’t seem to notice the coconut, however, the cat is a little pickier.

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We always think about doing what’s best for our pets. Along with nutritious treats, should you also invest in

As with most things, moderation is the key. But, Coconut is considered safe and overall it is good for dogs.

It can be a great addition to a pet’s diet. Even dogs like a varied snack. Whether you want to start with some coconut oil in their food, on their fur, or as an ingredient in a tasty treat, please start with a small amount to rule out any unexpected allergies or tummy upsets.

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pet insurance. It makes it much easier and less expensive if your pet DOES have a reaction. It is important check with your veterinarian before trying new dietary changes.

Can a Cat get Down syndrome?

The simple answer is no. Although there are genetic disorders that can mimic the appearance like Cerebellar hypoplasia (causes in utero by either severe malnourishment, a toxoplasmosis infection, or most commonly Feline panleukopenia.) In pets conditions that look like down syndrome or other retardation affects pets physically not developmentally as we think of down syndrome as humans.

What is Down Syndrome?

First of all, what is down syndrome? Simply put it is a genetic abnormality. In humans, it is defined by having extra or partial makeup of chromosome 21. A Cat has fewer chromosomes than we do, to begin with, so technically by definition, they can’t have down syndrome. Cats only have 19 chromosome pairs. However, they can have abnormalities that resemble the affliction.

Abnormalities in cats

However, cats can have genetic abnormalities that make them appear to have retardation or a “delaying or slowing the progress or development”.

Malformed faces

Eyes noticeably far apart

Small or misshaped ears

Small or misshapen head

Unusually flattened noses

Lack of coordination

Poor Muscle tone

Other less noticeable physical issues include lack of hearing, poor eyesight, or heart problems.

All of these issues are a result of genetics and form in utero. It is crucial if your cat is pregnant that her health is monitored for her and the health of her kittens. Many diseases causing these issues are preventable. For instance, Feline panleukopenia in cats is a common disease that can cause genetic abnormalities in kittens. It is both, highly contagious among felines, AND also preventable by vaccination.

Another culprit that can affect the development of kittens is exposure to toxic chemicals. Often a pregnant cat experiencing malnutrition can also cause developmental issues in kittens. Genetic issues are also evident in bad breeding practices.

If you suspect your cat or kitten has a genetic disease, it is best to get them checked out by a veterinarian. It is not always evident at first, however as your kitten matures sometimes issues become more clear your pet has special needs.

What can I do if my cat is special needs?

Most of the time, pets that show signs similar to down syndrome or other genetic issues can learn to adjust. It is amazing how cats and dogs can overcome disabilities. Just because a cat suffers from physical abnormalities doesn’t mean they can’t live a normal fun-filled active life.

Some issues do cause poor muscle tone or a predisposition to seizures, or other balance or coordination problems in cats. However, these are not contagious to other pets and with extra care can be managed.

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Can CDB be helpful to cats?

Like all cats and pets, a high-quality diet, and spending time together, help foster happy healthy cats. If there are balance, sight, or hearing issues, it may be necessary to have a safe place for your furry one to play where she can’t get hurt. Regular veterinary visits are important also. Although your furry one, can live a healthy life, sometimes genetic conditions may require more visits to the veterinarian. Fortunately, like for us humans, there is pet insurance. Many offer comprehensive coverages for both genetic conditions and aging pets.

Looking for pet insurance ? here is 10 best pet insurance companies

Can you read your cats body language What is he trying to tell you ?

Although a cat can not have down syndrome, it can have special needs that require dedicated pet parents. But there is no reason an animal with disabilities can’t live a long happy.