As with many pet food and supply stores, we also stock many different kinds of supplements for dogs and cats. If we had to choose two things to talk about today, it would be Coconut Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar. Both Coconut Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar offer numerous health benefits that can sometimes become too long winded to explain when a customer is in a hurry. So in this blog post, we aim to dig a little deeper and attempt to dissect these natural supplements that you may already be able to find in your kitchen!
Coconut Oil:
There are many benefits to feeding coconut oil, and we aren’t just talk about the yummy taste. Virgin coconut oil has powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties that help and often times cure many ailments such as; hot spots, yeast infections, smelly coats, and cracked paws, just to name a few!
Coconut oil is one of the most nutritious and natural oils that you can feed both to yourself and your dog. It contains over 90% saturated fat and has antioxidant properties that help with the absorption of other minerals. We use Virgin Coconut Oil because it is unprocessed, unbleached, and has not been refined. It is the healthiest form of coconut oil you can get, without actually buying a coconut.
When coconut oil is added regularly to a dog’s diet it offers a varying degree of benefits such as;
Skin and Coat Health
Coconut oil carries a medium chain triglyceride, a type of good fat which offers great benefits for skin and coat health. The most common way coconut oil is used is orally, however because it is also a natural moisturizer it can also be applied topically.
Coconut oil helps skin conditions such as eczema, itchy skin, flea bites (causing an allergic reaction), and dry skin. Â It is also a natural deodorizer and all it takes is a tablespoon in your dogs food everyday to help with that stinky doggy odor.
Wounds and Injuries
Coconut oil carries powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties that work miracles on a wide array of wound
s and injuries. If your dog already ingests coconut oil daily then their body begins fighting the injury and/or wound immediately. If your dog doesn’t ingest it regularly don’t worry, because it it a natural disinfectant you can apply it topically to hot spots, bites, stings, and open wounds and it will begin to promote quick healing. In addition to helping wounds heal, it also helps the body build a stronger immune system with its high lauric acid content.
Yeast Infections
How can you tell if your dog has a yeast infection? Well, if your dog has a yeast infection there is usually a specific odor that accompanies it as well as red itchy skin, obsessive licking and chewing of the paws and genital area, and obsessive scratching of the ears. Since coconut oil is so high in three specific fatty acids; lauric, capric, and caprylic acid, it aids in targeting the harmful bacteria and leaving the friendly bacteria to help build a stronger immune system. To utilize all the benefits of the coconut oil it is best to apply it both topically and orally.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Like our buddy coconut oil, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (ACV) is also antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiseptic.
It helps prevent bacterial and fungal growth in the digestive tract, all the while making sure not to upset the balance of the friendly bacteria inside the GI tract. ACV is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, especially potassium. When applied topically it has healing applications, including but not limited to helping sooth sprained muscles, sunburns, insect bites, stings, and it helps keep ears and paws nice and clean. It can also be used as a urine stain and odor remover as well as helping get rid of skunk smell! While apple cider vinegar may have a funky smell to it, it is a must have at home for your dog!
Wounds
When applied topically ACV cools skin that has been burned, wounded, or where there are hot spots. Because of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties it can also be massaged into sprained muscles. It is also the platform of many herbal liquids that can relieve pain and inflammation.
Clean Ears and Paws
Because ACV helps control the growth of unfriendly bacteria it is an excellent ear and paw cleaner. For day to day uses you can gently wipe your pet’s ears and in between their toes with a 50/50 mix of apple cider vinegar and water. If there is already an infection that has started, then using the 50/50 solution multiple times a day can fend off the infection.
Skunk Odor Control
The most common and widely used method for removal of that inevitable and unfortunate run in with a skunk is tomato juice. However, if you are caught without any tomato juice, have no fear, vinegar is near! It is often recommended that  you sponge ACV into your pet’s coat and skin, just make sure to be careful not to get any in their eyes. Allow the ACV to sit in their coat and dry and then wash your dog with a mild shampoo and a nice warm bath.
 
The Benefits of Daily Supplements for Dogs
We understand that feeding a supplement such as coconut oil or ACV every day of the year may be challenging to some people for what ever reason they may have. To that we say, you don’t need to feed it every day of every week to be able to enjoy its benefits. Even a little is better than nothing! So don’t feel pressured or feel that if you can’t give supplements to your pet every day, it will be all for nothing. You can give it every other day, bi-weekly, or just when ever you have a chance.
As always, if you have any questions about Coconut Oil or Apple Cider Vinegar, you can contact us by phone, email, or come visit us in store! We will also be glad to help you with any other supplements you may want to inquire about. Thanks for reading!
-The True Carnivores Pack