In recent years, therapeutic coconut oil has been hailed as a one of the healthiest foods on the planet – and it's easy to see why.
Extensive medical research has been conducted into the health benefits of coconut oil, and the results prove that it really is one of nature's greatest "superfoods".
The benefits of coconut oil on human health are many and varied. Among these benefits is coconut oil's positive impact on the digestive system and intestinal health. And guess what? It's not just humans who can benefit from the digestive health benefits of therapeutic coconut oil.
Read on to find out how coconut oil supports your pet's digestion, too!
1) It Improves Nutrient Absorption and Digestion
Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) such as lauric acid. These healthy fats are easily digestible in the gut, and help the body to absorb the nutrients and vitamins from food more efficiently.
Coconut oil is a healthy saturated fat, and is proven to be superior in enhancing nutrient absorption. This means that with coconut oil as part of their diet, your pet will be able to absorb more important nutrients from the foods they eat.
Many of the vitamins and minerals that keep your pet's body healthy are fat soluble. These include calcium and magnesium, and vitamins A, E, K and D. Vital proteins and b-amino acids are also fat soluble.
When feeding coconut oil to pets, be sure to start off with small amounts to avoid loose stools.
2) It Keeps Parasites, Fungi and Bad Bacteria at Bay
The healthy lauric acid in coconut oil is anti-microbial and breaks down the cellular wall of parasites, fungi and bad bacteria in your pet's stomach and intestines. Your pet is far less likely to experience bloating and indigestion with coconut oil as a regular part of their diet.
3) It Helps Heal Digestive Disorders
Digestive illnesses such as inflammatory bowel syndrome and colitis can cause great discomfort for your pet. Coconut oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help heal injuries in the digestive tract and prevent chronic inflammation.
Coconut oil is especially effective at healing injury in the mucosal lining of your pet's intestine, preventing leakage which can lead to infection.
Coconut oil's anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties also promote healthy digestion, and the medium chain fatty acids in the oil prevent undue strain on the digestive tract.
4) It Helps Prevent Bad Breath in Dogs
Persistent bad breath in dogs can be caused by oral infections and gum disease, but also by underlying gastrointestinal problems. The anti-microbial properties of coconut oil help fight the cause of the problem by fighting bad bacteria in the stomach and intestines, as well as in the mouth.
And since there are so many uses for coconut oil, you can even use it to brush your dog's teeth! The simplest way to brush your dog's teeth is by applying a small amount of coconut oil to a moistened piece of gauze, then brush with gentle motions to clean the teeth and gums. Your dog will love the sweet taste of the oil, and the gauze will make the task of brushing a whole lot easier!
The antimicrobial properties of coconut oil mean it's great for reducing gum inflammation and decay caused by oral bacteria such as streptococcus and lactobacillus. Use coconut oil to clean your dog's teeth regularly and avoid unnecessary trips to the vet for dental problems.
Choosing the Best Coconut to Support Your Pet's Digestive System
Introducing coconut oil to your pet's diet is a great way to support their digestive system and keep things running smoothly. Take care to choose a high-quality oil such as CocoTherapy virgin coconut oil which contains high levels of MCFAs such as lauric acid – the healthy fats in coconut oil that promote digestive health.
All our coconuts are sourced from our family-owned, USDA-inspected coconut plantation in the Philippines, and each batch of oil is carefully produced in our family-owned facility.
When you choose CocoTherapy coconut oil, you're guaranteed a safe, organic and therapeutic-grade oil packed full of the natural ingredients that will support your pet's health for years to come.
If you'd like to find out more about using coconut oil with your pets, check out the rest of our website for detailed information on the many ways coconut oil can improve your pet's health.
Have you discovered the benefits of using CocoTherapy coconut oil to support your pet's digestive system? We'd love to hear from you in the comments!