Coconut Oil for Dog's Teeth

A good dog owner is always looking for ways to improve the quality of their pet's life. You're always looking for new toys or treats they might enjoy, but it is also imperative to keep their health good. When it comes to their teeth, it can often be the toughest thing to maintain. Dogs obviously use their teeth a lot, and it is important to make sure the strength and quality of their teeth are kept in check at all times. Coconut oil for dog's teeth is a great natural way to keep your dog's teeth healthy.

Coconut oil is so good for dogs! 

The big benefits of coconut oil comes from the type of fats it is made of. Coconut oil is almost exclusively (more than 90%) saturated fat and is one of the few foods that can be classified as a "superfood". I know what you're thinking, "Isn't fat bad for you?" In this case no. There are two groups of fats: saturated fats and unsaturated and within each group are several more types of fats. It can get a little confusing, for solid information all about fats, WEBMD has some good information.

MCT's are coconut oils secret weapon. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) is good fat, the kind that provides an array of benefits which include digestion improvement, immune system support, metabolic function that assists with weight loss, skin and coat health and thyroid health.

MCT is made up of Lauric Acid, Capric Acid, Caprylic Acid, Myristic Acid and Palmitic. Coconut oil also contains about 2% linoleic acid (polyunsaturated fatty acids) and about 6% oleic acid (monounsaturated fatty acids).

Lauric acid has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Capric and caprylic acid also have similar properties as lauric acid and are best known for their anti-fungal effects

In addition, MCTs are efficiently metabolized to provide an immediate source of fuel and energy, enhancing athletic performance and aiding weight loss. In dogs, the MCTs in coconut oil balance the thyroid, helping overweight dogs lose weight and helping sedentary dogs feel energetic.

If you cannot get your dog to go to the vet to have his/her teeth professionally cleaned, it is recommended to use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and aloe vera to get rid of plaque. It can then be chipped off with a fingernail or a toothpick. 

Once the plaque is under control, you can maintain your dog’s teeth by brushing them with coconut oil, using a soft baby toothbrush. For bad breath, add one or two drops of parsley oil to the toothbrush along with the coconut oil.

A homemade probiotic mouthwash is also good for oral health. It is recommended to mix a capsule of a probiotic supplement for humans with a tablespoon of coconut milk or kefir and offer it to your pet after meals.

If you find yourself wanting other ways to use coconut oil without brushing, there are alternatives.

People have put coconut oil on their dogs' foods to help get that dose in as well.

Soaking your dogs' chew bones in coconut oil can be extremely beneficial for them. The bone is good for them and they like the taste of coconut oil. The issue you might have is the messiness of the oil once they start chewing. Beware of your carpets! This might be a good thing for outside playtime. 

Coconut oil will also improve their breath.

The benefit of brushing for them is the avoidance of anesthesia. It can be expensive and some dogs simply cannot be put under to get their teeth cleaned, so anesthesia-free brushing is the only option.

The oil is also good for their skin and coat, improves digestion and helps them lose weight.

It can be given internally or applied externally, and can provide remedies for many skin infections. It can disinfect cuts and improve your dog’s general skin and coat condition, making it healthier. Wounds also heal faster with coconut oil, and it helps to deodorize your dog’s skin and clear up some rashes as well.

And unlike most herbal products that are good for your dog’s health, coconut is something that your dog will most likely love to eat. Hopefully they will gobble up the coconut oil and not be too picky with it. Just as humans can get a bit nutty for coconut, so can our beloved buddies.

Mix it with their food – it has cured many picky eaters.

Many vets and researchers today are recommending the regular use of coconut oil for dogs and many other pets as an excellent source of nutrients, which keeps your dog in good health.

Recommended Dose Of Coconut Oil For Dogs 

The recommended dose is pretty easy; just give a teaspoon of coconut oil per 10 pounds of dog, or you can give a table spoon per 30 pounds. Start with about 1/4 the recommended dosage and build up to the recommended level over 3-4 weeks, as sometimes flu-like symptoms can appear if you hurried it right away.

"I always brushed my dogs’ teeth, but after Maddie’s fiasco, I knew something had to change. I scrutinized the ingredients in the toothpaste I’d gotten in the pet store and had used on them for years. About the only ingredient I recognized was “poultry flavor,” and let’s face it, who really knows the ingredients in that ingredient? What was helping to break down plaque? What was killing bacteria? I was dumbfounded. It seemed all I had been doing was putting a meaty-flavored goo on my dogs’ teeth to try to trick them into thinking having their teeth brushed was a real treat.

So I switched. Not to anything else on the pet store shelf, but to coconut oil. Yup, that magical, tropical oil. It’s naturally antibacterial, can help support the immune system, and my dogs love the taste.

Natural health advocates swear by coconut oil, but many professionals in the medical and science fields say there’s no proven benefits. As for me, I say it’s worth using. Maddie has far less stinky breath and I’ve been able to scrape large chunks of tartar off Daphne’s teeth as well as my sister’s dog, Ruby. That’s all the proof I need. Plus, it’s certainly not going to do any harm unlike some of the strange substances in big-name pet products."

Hopefully you found this quick guide on coconut oil for dog's teeth to be helpful. As we mentioned before, it's a great natural way to keep your dog's teeth healthy and happy. If you have any other tips/tricks for brushing your dog's teeth with coconut oil feel free to share! 

Meet The Author