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Can Cats Eat Coconut Oil? How Much Is Safe For Your Cat?

Can Cats Eat Coconut Oil? How Much Is Safe For Your Cat?

Coconut oil appears to be the medicine of the century. We cook with it and use it in our bodies. It is so good for us that we want to share its benefits with our cats. But, should we?

There’s not a simple answer to whether or not your cat can eat coconut oil. Coconut oil is not toxic to cats, so you could feed it to them. However, we recommend you talk to a veterinarian first. You can use it in food while introducing it very slowly in your cat’s diet.

Coconut oil has been popular with humans for a while now. We use it for cooking, for hair, moisturizing, and even skincare. Coconut oil has many benefits, and we, as pet owners, always want to share what is good for us with our pets.

But before we share our favorite meals, or natural health products, with our cats, we first need to know if it endangers them and how much they can consume.

Cats, and all pets, are smaller than human beings, and the amount of food we need is very different from our sweet furball.

Before we feed or give something to our cats, we need to be informed. A cat’s diet is particular and mainly centered around meat. Therefore, we need to proceed with care as adding new things to your pet’s diet can provoke allergies and nutritional imbalances.

So, What Is Coconut Oil?

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Coconut oil is an edible that comes from the coconut’s wick, meat, and milk. One can extract it through wet or dry processing.

Coconut oil is a solid white fat you melt. Then, it becomes a clear thin liquid oil, and some varieties tend to have a distinct coconut aroma.

How To Give Cats Coconut Oil?

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Coconut oil can be used in small amounts in your cat’s food. However, you have to remember that any new food in your cat’s diet is something that you should monitor every day.

Vets say you should introduce it slowly because some cats can tolerate it better than others. In addition, it could sometimes cause minor or significant allergies.

Allergies concerning coconut oil are rare, but they could happen as with any new dietary supplement. For example, giving your cat too much coconut oil too soon can cause stomach aches and diarrhea.

Having that said, you could feed your cat coconut oil once or twice a day. Vets recommend you provide them with a quarter or half a teaspoon. Sometimes even less.

If it is like a treat or a reward, it is better to feed them coconut oil just a few times a week.

You won’t have trouble feeding your cat coconut oil. Normally they like the taste of this food, but if they don’t, maybe choose cat food with a strong smell to mix it into.

Please, don’t feed your cats something they don’t want to eat.

Can I Use Coconut Oil On My Cat?

First, we used to cook with coconut oil, and now we use it for our hair and skin. Considering it has been good as a health product for us, we immediately thought it would suit our cat.

So yes, you can use coconut oil on your cat. Just like humans, cats can eat and be treated with coconut oil. In addition, you can apply it topically, in small amounts, to cure cat skin problems.

Again, it is recommended you speak with a veterinarian before using coconut oil topically on your cat. It may seem super secure to put coconut oil on your cats, but because they would lick anything put on them. This could provoke irritation on the area applied.

Maybe use a shampoo with organic coconut oil on your cat. Cats don’t usually appreciate baths, but it’s probably the best way to apply coconut oil. Make sure the shampoo is intended for your pet.

What Benefits Does Coconut Oil Have?

From all the things we’ve heard of coconut oil, one may think it is a super-powerful magic potion. It is the medicine that cures all ailments.

However, it would be best if you were wary when consuming coconut oil. A large amount could cause the opposite effects of these desired benefits.

So let’s list a couple of benefits that coconut oil does have.

  • It contains healthy fatty acids.
  • The fatty acids in coconut oil may help your body to burn fat and provide it with energy.
  • Coconut oil can help boost your heart health.
  • In a 1981 study in Tokelau, an island in the South Pacific, the people got over 60% of their calories from coconut. The study reported good overall health and very low heart diseases.
  • Coconut oil could contain an antimicrobial effect. It contains lauric acid that can kill harmful pathogens like bacterias and viruses.
  • It can reduce seizures.
  • Researchers are investigating the positive effect of the keto diet, which is low on carbs and high on fat, to treat disorders. So coconut oil can be an essential asset in this diet and this treatment.
  • Coconut oil can protect your skin and hair. Different studies show that coconut oil can improve the moisture in your skin and even prevent Eczema, a condition that makes your skin red and itchy.
  • Other studies say it can protect from hair damage and can work as a sunscreen. However, if you are exposed to the sun for too much time or the sun is too hot, you should use proper sunscreen.

Is My Cat Getting Those Same Benefits?

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Sometimes it is true that what’s good for you is suitable for your cat. There are some benefits your cat can get from coconut oil.

Coconut oil can help your cat’s skin. Coconut oil can alleviate irritation from dry skin. Rubbing a small amount of oil in the affected area once a day can cure any ailment.

You can still use it even if your cat doesn’t have any skin problems. It could keep its skin and coat moisturized. But beware of constant licking and make sure you’ve spoken to a veterinarian.

While too much coconut oil can cause your cat diarrhea, the right amount can help with its tummy ache. Coconut oil can help your cat pass stool more easily.

Adding coconut oil to your cat’s diet can reduce inflammation caused by hairballs. Coconut oil also helps alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and swollen joints.

Brain health is also vital to our cats, not only for us. Coconut oil can help improve brain function. A quarter teaspoon per ten pounds of weight a day can help your cat maintain cognitive function longer.

Coconut oil brings many benefits for your cat; just remember to contact your veterinarian before feeding your cat any amount of coconut oil.

Why Do People Extract Coconut Oil? How Do You Make It?

We are curious beings. When we do something good for ourselves, like eating coconut, we want to get the most out of it.

Coconut, the raw white “meat” that we eat from it, is highly nutritious. It benefits our heart and controls our blood pressure. In addition, it contains antioxidants and is super easy to add to our diet.

Coconut meat is something that you could enjoy very much, and it is slightly sweet.

From the raw white “meat” of the coconut, we can extract coconut milk, cream, and coconut oil.

To extract coconut oil, you need to grate the “meat” and place it in a bucket with water.

After you need to squeeze all the water, strain it in another recipient, add more water to the grated coconut “meat,” and add it to the first batch. This is coconut milk.

Place the coconut milk in the fridge for a couple of hours. This will make the fat to be on the top. Next, use a spoon to scrape the fat or cream from the top of the milk and boil it in a pan on a medium flame.

In minutes you will start to see the oil. The longer you leave it in flames, the darker the coconut oil will get.

Can My Cat Eat Coconut?

Yes. Coconut meat is nontoxic to cats. Coconut is something they can eat as a snack if they like the taste of it. You can offer them small amounts of coconut meat. A large portion could harm your pet.

Bottom Line

The use of coconut oil will depend on the reaction your cat has to it. They could have an allergic reaction, or they could love it.

Generally, coconut oil is suitable for your cat. They can eat it straight or with their food. In addition, we can use coconut oil to treat many ailments our cat may have.

Cats can enjoy many of the benefits we humans get from consuming coconut oil. However, we need to be informed and advised by veterinarians before we feed them coconut oil or use it on them.

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