coconut oil

Anyone use this as a nutritional supplement for their cat? I've been hearing about the wonders of coconut oil all over the place (as well as red palm oil) and some people I know give it to their dog. I think they add it for digestive health?
I'm curious if there are benefits for cats too.

Interesting!  My sister was just talking about starting to use it for herself.  I didn't know people gave it to animals.

pushylady said:

Anyone use this as a nutritional supplement for their cat? I've been hearing about the wonders of coconut oil all over the place (as well as red palm oil) and some people I know give it to their dog. I think they add it for digestive health?
I'm curious if there are benefits for cats too.

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Yes! I just started using this on my cats as I knew it could be good for hairballs instead of using something like laxatone or other commercial product. A friend had been supplying me with Emu oil which I was giving to Max which is another great supplement, but she travels a lot and so I wanted to find something that I could get on a more consistent basis.

When I started researching Coconut oil, I discovered that it is really good for quite a few things. The following is a list of some of the most common benefits:

Aids Digestion

• Digestion and absorption of nutrients
• Heals digestive problems such as inflammation of the bowls
• Reduces and may completely eliminate bad breath as coconut oil contains anti-fungal and anti-viral properties
• Helps eliminate hair balls and related coughing

Bones, Immune System, Metabolism

• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-viral
• Antioxidant
• Balances, regulates insulin
• Helps reduce weight as it works to raise the metabolic rate
• Increases energy;
• Aids in health of ligaments;
• Helps with arthritis relief;
• Improves brain energy metabolism;
• Reduces risk of brain lesions in older dogs.

Skin and Fur Conditions
 

Helps to heal :

• Eczema
• Flea allergies
• Dermatitus
• Itchy Skin
• Ring worm (a fungal infection)

Improves health and appearance of :

• Skin,
• Fur
• Prevents and treats topical yeast and fungal infections - good for ear infections
• Disinfects cuts and supports healing of wounds

I purchased some coconut oil that comes as a solid product in a jar, just before Christmas. The important thing is to start small as giving too much at first can cause digestive upset. I take about a tablespoon chunk from the jar and put this is a stainless bowl which I heat for a 5 -10 seconds. It takes only a few seconds to liquify coconut oil - You can even rub in your hands as a moisturizer! I serve coconut oil from a teaspoon and let my cats lick the spoon over the bowl. As they get used to it, I will probably up the amount.

Hope this helps.

The Yahoo! feline constipation and megacolon group uses coconut oil to stimulate bowel movements, I suppose because of the increased metabolism. Most cats will simply lick coconut oil off your fingers if you can get it to stay solid long enough.

I had some arthritis in my fingers that started around Halloween. It stayed for a long time. Then around Christmas I started taking coconut oil tablets. The pain was already going away, but right after the coconut oil it went away much faster.

Wow that's quite the list of benefits! I'm going to start giving this to my boys, see if it will help. I think I'll start really small, 1/2 tsp a day for a 10lb cat shouldn't be too much?

pushylady said:

Wow that's quite the list of benefits! I'm going to start giving this to my boys, see if it will help. I think I'll start really small, 1/2 tsp a day for a 10lb cat shouldn't be too much?

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Yes, its amazing isn't it. Wonder stuff 

That amount would be fine I'd say.

Raintyger said:

 
The Yahoo! feline constipation and megacolon group uses coconut oil to stimulate bowel movements, I suppose because of the increased metabolism. Most cats will simply lick coconut oil off your fingers if you can get it to stay solid long enough.

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Yes, Raintyger, I am kinda hoping that it can help Max in this way too.

Glad to hear that it is helping with the arthritis! ..

Raintyger said:

 
The Yahoo! feline constipation and megacolon group uses coconut oil to stimulate bowel movements, I suppose because of the increased metabolism. Most cats will simply lick coconut oil off your fingers if you can get it to stay solid long enough.

I had some arthritis in my fingers that started around Halloween. It stayed for a long time. Then around Christmas I started taking coconut oil tablets. The pain was already going away, but right after the coconut oil it went away much faster.

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Yikes! The last thing I need with IBD kitties is to stimulate bowel movements...     but I might try it for the arthritis in my hands!

deleted - found it.

I'm so glad I came across this thread! I'm going to start giving some to girls today. I'm trying to entice them ALL to eat at the same time, maybe that'll work lol.

On a side note, I wash my face nightly with coconut oil exclusively, and my complexion has never been better. I wish I'd known about it as a kid. Considering my parents are hippies, I'm surprised I didn't lol.
Thanks!

betsygee said:

 
Yikes! The last thing I need with IBD kitties is to stimulate bowel movements...  

  but I might try it for the arthritis in my hands!

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IBD manifests differently in different cats, so for some IBD kitties where constipation is an issue, coconut oil may help. My Sebastian has chronic pancreatitis and suspected IBD. I started giving him coconut oil a few months ago. When it is semi-solid, I form a dime-sized ball of it around his gel caps that have his meds in them. It melts quickly, so I have to work fast! It helps the gel cap go down easier, and he gets the benefits of the coconut oil. He probably gets about 1/4-1/2 tsp a day. It's a small amount. I was worried it might upset his tummy, but it does not bother him at all. He does like the taste, so that's a plus. If I leave some in a small dish on the kitchen counter while I am at work, it mysteriously disappears by the time I get home! 

Not all coconut oils are created equal. I use the Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Real coconut oil is solid, not to be confused with fractionated coconut oil.

One of my girls had some off a spoon this afternoon and loved it!

Yes... Look for "virgin". I get "organic virgin coconut oil" at Trader Joe's. Wegmans has a great one too, just more expensive.

Any other recommendations for delivery of coconut oil?  Unfortunately my cats do not like the taste.  

So the list states coconut oil would help to get rid of ringworm. Administered orally or topically? Does anyone have experience with that?  Thanks!

GoHolistic said:

 
IBD manifests differently in different cats, so for some IBD kitties where constipation is an issue, coconut oil may help. My Sebastian has chronic pancreatitis and suspected IBD. I started giving him coconut oil a few months ago. When it is semi-solid, I form a dime-sized ball of it around his gel caps that have his meds in them. It melts quickly, so I have to work fast! It helps the gel cap go down easier, and he gets the benefits of the coconut oil. He probably gets about 1/4-1/2 tsp a day. It's a small amount. I was worried it might upset his tummy, but it does not bother him at all. He does like the taste, so that's a plus. If I leave some in a small dish on the kitchen counter while I am at work, it mysteriously disappears by the time I get home! 

Not all coconut oils are created equal. I use the Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Real coconut oil is solid, not to be confused with fractionated coconut oil.

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I suppose I should have said  "the last thing I need with my  IBD kitties is to stimulate bowel movements..."       

tdonline said:

 
Any other recommendations for delivery of coconut oil?  Unfortunately my cats do not like the taste.  

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Refined coconut oil has very little coconut taste. However, it is more processed, so you get less of the benefits. See discussion on the following web page under "Refined vs. Unrefined."

http://www.foodrenegade.com/how-to-choose-a-good-coconut-oil/

tdonline said:

 
Any other recommendations for delivery of coconut oil?  Unfortunately my cats do not like the taste.  

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You could add the coconut oil to wet food. Coconut oil having very little aroma and taste, your girls probably wouldn't notice it in there. I do this for my female as while she seems to like coconut oil, not as much as the boys.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/246528/anyone-else-use-coconut-oil

I've been "pulsing" it for my cats. Bagel likes the taste, Lox is indifferent. Not sure how much of a difference it is making for them, health-wise. I noticed that what they don't like is when the coconut oil becomes solid within their raw food. 

Do make sure it's not the stuff made from dried chopra. Personally, coconut oil doesn't do too much for me either. 

Raintyger said:

 
Refined coconut oil has very little coconut taste. However, it is more processed, so you get less of the benefits. See discussion on the following web page under "Refined vs. Unrefined."

http://www.foodrenegade.com/how-to-choose-a-good-coconut-oil/

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Interesting article. Thanks for sharing.

The coconut oil I purchased is a certified organic, expeller expressed type and is refined, but there is an unrefined type of the same brand that I may get next time. The author of the article from the link does mention that refined oil doesn't offer all of the same benefits as a virgin oil perhaps, but does go on to say that the refined type are still excellent sources of the most beneficial fatty acids. For myself, it is important that the source of coconut oil is ethical and that the product is organic, not hydrogenated or chemically processed, than whether it is refined or unrefined as most oils are refined to some extent through the extraction process. Its important to read labels when looking for a decent quality coconut oil.

oneandahalfcats said:

 
You could add the coconut oil to wet food. Coconut oil having very little aroma and taste, your girls probably wouldn't notice it in there. I do this for my female as while she seems to like coconut oil, not as much as the boys.

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No, that's the problem, they find something about coconut oil (taste, aroma) offensive and they won't eat it.  I coated their favorite kibbles with CO and since they love the kibbles so much, they ate a few and then abandoned ship.  They don't eat wet food as readily so I don't anticipate that working if kibbles didn't.  I may try smearing it on their lips or paws.