Coconut Oil.. Any tips?

[LuvTaycieGirl]

Ok.. I am thinking of using coconut oil for little miss Taycie. Any tips? Where can I get it? How much should i use?... Can I add it to her food and use it on her coat as well?

[bchgirl]

If giving as a supplement you should use the virgin coconut oil. It's available at health food stores and generally the dosage is a teaspoon mixed with their food.

[Klyn]

I don't really have the answers to your questions. I'm just curious- is it for hair/skin health?

You could probably do both. I do coconut oil treatments on my own hair, and I know you can use it for cooking as well. I would think if you're going to put it directly on her hair, you would want to do it before her bath. Either that, or put it on after shampooing. Then you can partially dry her hair so it soaks in, but rinse it out as it might make her hair look too oily.

[LuvTaycieGirl]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

If giving as a supplement you should use the virgin coconut oil. It's available at health food stores and generally the dosage is a teaspoon mixed with their food.

Thanks!!!! Have you ever used it before?

[LuvTaycieGirl]

Originally Posted by Klyn

I don't really have the answers to your questions. I'm just curious- is it for hair/skin health?

You could probably do both. I do coconut oil treatments on my own hair, and I know you can use it for cooking as well. I would think if you're going to put it directly on her hair, you would want to do it before her bath. Either that, or put it on after shampooing. Then you can partially dry her hair so it soaks in, but rinse it out as it might make her hair look too oily.

Yep... skin and hair..

[Ladymom]

Just a heads up if you are thinking of adding coconut oil to her food....

A little Maltese on another forum developed really high triglycerides after her mom started giving her coconut oil. They went up to a scary 2604 (normal is 29-291)!

Her vet had her bring in all the foods and supplements she uses and told her that coconut oil was the culprit. It is very high in fat. The one I have here has 14 grams of fat (12 grams of saturated fat) per tablespoon.

Cocotherapy for dogs seem to be the latest fad, but please discuss it with your vet first.

[LuvTaycieGirl]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Just a heads up if you are thinking of adding coconut oil to her food....

A little Maltese on another forum developed really high triglycerides after her mom started giving her coconut oil. They went up to a scary 2604 (normal is 29-291)!

Her vet had her bring in all the foods and supplements she uses and told her that coconut oil was the culprit. It is very high in fat. The one I have here has 14 grams of fat (12 grams of saturated fat) per tablespoon.

Cocotherapy for dogs seem to be the latest fad, but please discuss it with your vet first.

THANKYOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! Hmmm.... this makes me leary of trying this now. That is ALOT of fat.. good greif! I have heard some people use this and I was thinking of trying it. What about Salmon/fish oil?... I am looking to supplement for skin and coat. We have tried changing up her diet but her stomach goes crazy and I hate to mess with her diet anymore. So for now I am looking to add something to her food. Any ideas?..

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by LuvTaycieGirl

THANKYOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! Hmmm.... this makes me leary of trying this now. That is ALOT of fat.. good greif! I have heard some people use this and I was thinking of trying it. What about Salmon/fish oil?... I am looking to supplement for skin and coat. We have tried changing up her diet but her stomach goes crazy and I hate to mess with her diet anymore. So for now I am looking to add something to her food. Any ideas?..

I have always used 3V Caps:

Omega-Caps - For CATS & SMALL Dogs (60 Softgel Capsules)

Fatty acids are great for skin and coat, but they also help with allergies and inflammation. My vet had me start Lady on them years ago for her allergies.

Omega Fatty Acids: Sources, Effects, and Therapeutic Usesin Dogs

[LuvTaycieGirl]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I have always used 3V Caps:

Omega-Caps - For CATS & SMALL Dogs (60 Softgel Capsules)

Fatty acids are great for skin and coat, but they also help with allergies and inflammation. My vet had me start Lady on them years ago for her allergies.

Omega Fatty Acids: Sources, Effects, and Therapeutic Usesin Dogs

I just ordered some! Thanks for your help!

[YorkieZoo]

Okay, this may sound dumb, but my wife takes fish oil for her triglycerides. She gets the no burb because when she first grabbed them, I also took some and DANG....needless to say, no kissing for a few days until we figured it out!

Do the fish oil for dogs cause burping and does it make for stinky burps?

[NAUTILUS1900]

I used salmon oil to my little one because she didn't eat and it was magic. After a couple of days she was eating all of her food. Now I keep using it but I'm just careful not to overfeed her. It's natural and it's perfect for her hair. I don't know about allergies because I never had any problem but maybe it's because of the salmon oil that I have no allergies problems

Maria

[YorkieMumma]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Just a heads up if you are thinking of adding coconut oil to her food....

A little Maltese on another forum developed really high triglycerides after her mom started giving her coconut oil. They went up to a scary 2604 (normal is 29-291)!

Her vet had her bring in all the foods and supplements she uses and told her that coconut oil was the culprit. It is very high in fat. The one I have here has 14 grams of fat (12 grams of saturated fat) per tablespoon.

Cocotherapy for dogs seem to be the latest fad, but please discuss it with your vet first.

====================================
LadyMom, unfortunately coconut oil being a saturated fat is often mis-understood. Although it is a saturated fat, coconut oil is comprised of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids (not long-chain as the saturated fat found in animal fats).

Coconut oil is unique as a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) in that it is synthesized in the body differently from other fats. The smaller medium chain triglyceride molecules are easily digestible and absorbable. They do not need bile to be assimilated, nor do they need pancreatic lipase to be digested. Typically the blood has triglycerides as well as cholesterol. These triglycerides are long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) being transported from the liver to the peripheral tissues and cells. LCTs are long chain fatty oils from saturated animal fats or from unsaturated fats from vegetable oils.

The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut oil are not found in the systemic blood; they go straight to the liver and they are rapidly metabolized to liberate energy. So in short, coconut oil will not elevate triglycerides in human or animals with long term use.

Numerous studies have shown that coconut oil: prevents ischemic heart disease, lowers elevated total serum cholesterol levels, stimulates the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels, lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, lowers VLDL (Very-low-density lipoprotein – “bad”) cholesterol levels, lowers elevated serum triglycerides levels.

Also, well-known holistic vet, Dr. Karen Becker states that coconut oil does not elevate triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood and does not cause hyperlipidemia when given long term. It is a very healthy oil when given long-term.

[BaxtersMommy]

Originally Posted by LuvTaycieGirl

Ok.. I am thinking of using coconut oil for little miss Taycie. Any tips? Where can I get it? How much should i use?... Can I add it to her food and use it on her coat as well?

We love the CocoTherapy. You can buy it from Ryan YT member RDB911.

Here is the link. It is awesome! They love it!

Cheap!! Puppy Training Pee Pads by the Case + Free Shipping

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by YorkieMumma

====================================
LadyMom, unfortunately coconut oil being a saturated fat is often mis-understood. Although it is a saturated fat, coconut oil is comprised of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids (not long-chain as the saturated fat found in animal fats).

Coconut oil is unique as a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) in that it is synthesized in the body differently from other fats. The smaller medium chain triglyceride molecules are easily digestible and absorbable. They do not need bile to be assimilated, nor do they need pancreatic lipase to be digested. Typically the blood has triglycerides as well as cholesterol. These triglycerides are long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) being transported from the liver to the peripheral tissues and cells. LCTs are long chain fatty oils from saturated animal fats or from unsaturated fats from vegetable oils.

The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut oil are not found in the systemic blood; they go straight to the liver and they are rapidly metabolized to liberate energy. So in short, coconut oil will not elevate triglycerides in human or animals with long term use.

Numerous studies have shown that coconut oil: prevents ischemic heart disease, lowers elevated total serum cholesterol levels, stimulates the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels, lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, lowers VLDL (Very-low-density lipoprotein – “bad”) cholesterol levels, lowers elevated serum triglycerides levels.

Also, well-known holistic vet, Dr. Karen Becker states that coconut oil does not elevate triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood and does not cause hyperlipidemia when given long term. It is a very healthy oil when given long-term.

I am just relaying the experience of one Maltese owner based upon her bloodwork and her vet's findings. The only other thing the owner was feeding her was Artemis OSOPURE and freeze dried chicken treats.

I know Dr. Becker is popular, but her association with Dr. Mercola is a concern for some of us.

As I said in my earlier post, just check with your vet before adding coconut oil.

[YorkieMumma]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I am just relaying the experience of one Maltese owner based upon her bloodwork and her vet's findings. The only other thing the owner was feeding her was Artemis OSOPURE and freeze dried chicken treats.

I know Dr. Becker is popular, but her association with Dr. Mercola is a concern for some of us.

As I said in my earlier post, just check with your vet before adding coconut oil.

The elevated triglycerides level in the Maltese baby is very unfortunate and I have no doubt her mommy is doing everything to reverse the levels. Unfortunately we don't know any more details about the Maltese's health, or diet. The biochemistry of why lipid levels are elevated in the blood is much more complicated than just eating "fat".

I agree with you, work closely with your vet before using any supplement BUT ALSO, do your own research. Actually, research has shown that a diet very high in carbohydrates (in relation to protein) can spike triglyceride levels in the blood.

High triglyceride levels may be due to:
Cirrhosis
Diet low in protein and high in carbohydrates
Hypothyroidism
Nephrotic syndrome
Pancreatitis
Poorly controlled diabetes

More and more studies have shown beneficial effects from coconut oil and blood serum levels. Coconut especially seems to have positive effects on cholesterol and triglyceride levels. I always encourage people to do their own research and learn as much as possible. Here are some informative links that reference studies on this topic:

Coconutoil.com - Mary Enig Ph.D. on the Effects of Coconut Oil on Serum Cholesterol Levels and HDLs

Coconut Lowers LDL, VLDL and Triglycerides, Raises HDL
Coconut Lowers LDL, VLDL and Triglycerides, Raises HDL

I too, am not a fan of Mercola, but I have been going to Dr. Becker for my Yorkies and kitties for many years, and her knowledge is undeniable. She is compassionate, concientious, and I know that she continues to research and stay current on vet medicine. I have been to many, many vets, and I have to say that she is one of the most well-informed vet I have ever been. Her association with Mercola is not reason for me to discount her knowledge. My long-term experience with her has been excellent and I trust her with my fur-babies.

And I agree with you 100% LadyMom, always work closely with a vet you trust.

Thank you for this stimulating conversation! I love it when we inspire others to learn more!