Coconut Oil

A whole-food fat pressed from coconut meat, used by HempMy Pet as an organic carrier oil for full-spectrum hemp extract.

Coconut Oil for Dogs and Cats: A Whole-Food Carrier With Real Limits

Coconut oil is a whole-food fat pressed from the meat of the coconut, and it is one of the three organic carrier oils HempMy Pet infuses with full-spectrum hemp extract. It is roughly 90% saturated fat, most of it medium-chain triglycerides, which is why it stays shelf-stable, tastes good to most pets, and blends cleanly with hemp extract.

It is also widely oversold. Below is what coconut oil actually does for a dog or cat, what it does not do, and why we pair it with our own Colorado-grown hemp instead of using it alone.

What Is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is extracted from the dried or fresh meat of the coconut. Virgin (unrefined) coconut oil is cold-pressed and keeps its coconut aroma; refined coconut oil is processed further and is more neutral. HempMy Pet uses organic, unrefined coconut oil.

At room temperature it is solid and white. Warmed slightly, it turns clear and pours. That texture change is normal and is not a sign the jar has gone off.

What Is Actually In It

Coconut oil is at least 90% saturated fat, and the majority of that is MCT — medium-chain triglycerides. Lauric acid is the single most abundant one. Because medium-chain fats are absorbed more directly than long-chain fats, coconut oil is a quick, easy source of fat energy.

It runs about 120 calories per tablespoon, which is the real reason servings stay small. For a full breakdown of the chain lengths and where the MCT label gets stretched by marketers, see our entry on MCT oil.

Why We Use It as a Carrier Oil

Hemp extract is fat-soluble, so it has to ride in a fat to be useful. Coconut oil is a good partner for three practical reasons: it resists oxidation, so the CBD and minor cannabinoids stay intact on the shelf; most dogs and cats like the taste; and it is solid at room temperature, which makes a spoonable jar rather than a dropper bottle.

That last point matters more than it sounds. Some pets take a jar-and-spoon format far more willingly than a dropper, and the best format is whichever one your pet will actually accept.

What Coconut Oil May Support

Used sensibly and in small amounts, coconut oil supports normal skin moisture and coat condition, and provides a readily used source of fat energy. Many owners also rub a small amount into dry paw pads or a dull coat.

Introduce it gradually. Fat added too quickly is the most common cause of loose stool, and that is true of any oil, not just this one.

What Coconut Oil Does Not Do

This is where most articles stop being honest. Coconut oil is a poor source of linoleic acid — the essential omega-6 fatty acid dogs cannot make themselves. Tufts University's Cummings School puts coconut oil at 0.2 g of linoleic acid per 100 calories, against 5.9 for corn oil.

So coconut oil is an energy fat, not an essential fatty acid source. If essential fatty acids are what you are after, hemp seed oil is the far better choice, and the two do different jobs.

Coconut oil is also a supplement, never a replacement for a complete and balanced diet.

How HempMy Pet Uses Coconut Oil

We infuse organic coconut oil with full-spectrum hemp extract from hemp we breed and grow ourselves on our farm in Longmont, Colorado, using organic growing practices, then formulate in-house. Every batch is third-party tested.

Two strengths are available in our CBD Coconut Oil collection: Hemp Infused Organic Coconut Oil at 100mg CBD and at 500mg CBD, both in a 5 fl. oz. jar. For dogs, browse CBD Hemp for Dogs; for cats, CBD Hemp for Cats.

How to Give Coconut Oil to Your Pet

Start with a fraction of the suggested serving and build up over a week or two while you watch the stool. Most owners mix it into food; some let the pet lick it off a spoon. Check the product page for the exact serving for your pet's weight.

Because it is calorie-dense, count it as part of the day's food rather than on top of it, and talk to your veterinarian first if your pet is overweight or has a history of digestive sensitivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coconut oil safe for dogs? In small amounts, coconut oil is generally well tolerated by healthy dogs. The most common issue is loose stool from introducing too much too fast. Check with your veterinarian first if your dog is overweight or has had digestive trouble.

How much coconut oil can I give my dog? Servings scale with body weight and are small — a fraction of a teaspoon for a little dog up to about a tablespoon for a large one. Follow the serving guidance on the product page and build up gradually.

Can I give my dog coconut oil every day? Many owners do, as part of the daily calorie budget rather than in addition to it. Watch weight and stool quality.

Can I put coconut oil on my dog's skin and coat? Yes — a small amount worked into dry areas supports normal skin moisture. Use sparingly, since a heavy coat of oil attracts dirt and most dogs will lick it off.

Virgin or refined coconut oil for dogs? Virgin, unrefined and organic. It is the least processed option and it is what we use.

What happens if my dog eats too much coconut oil? Usually loose stool or an upset stomach that settles on its own. A large amount of any fat is a bigger concern in dogs prone to pancreatitis — call your veterinarian in that case.

Does coconut oil stop dogs from itching? No. It supports normal skin moisture and can soften a dry patch, but it does not stop itching. Persistent scratching is a reason to see your veterinarian rather than reach for an oil.

Is coconut oil safe if my dog licks it off? Yes — that is the usual outcome of putting it on a coat, and it is fine in small amounts. Apply sparingly so what gets licked off stays inside the day's serving.

Is coconut oil the same as MCT oil? No. MCT oil is fractionated to concentrate specific medium-chain fats. Coconut oil is the whole oil. See MCT oil.

Further reading: the American Kennel Club on coconut oil for dogs.