Coconut Oil
CautionCoconut oil is listed as safe for dogs in small amounts, but it is still pure fat. AKC puts about a teaspoon a day for a large dog at the reasonable end, with GI upset the usual side effect, and says dogs with a pancreatitis history need their vet's input first.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Diarrhoea
- Loose stool
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Pancreatitis
- Hunched or prayer-like posture
- Weight gain
More about this food
Coconut oil is not toxic to dogs. The AKC lists coconut oil and coconut milk as safe, and its coconut article, with veterinarian Dr. Jolee Stegemoller, says that "up to a teaspoon or so for a large dog is okay." The same article is equally clear about the limits: the primary side effect to watch for is gastrointestinal upset such as diarrhea, dogs that should not eat high-fat diets or are overweight should get a different treat, and any dog with a history of pancreatitis should only get it in small quantities after talking with the vet.
The numbers explain why. A teaspoon is roughly 40 calories, a tablespoon about 117, and it is essentially all fat. The Merck Veterinary Manual advises keeping total daily treats under 10% of caloric intake; for an 11 lb (5 kg) dog that ceiling is about 30-35 calories, which one teaspoon of oil fills by itself. The popular internet formula of a teaspoon per 10 lb of body weight every day is a straightforward path to weight gain.
Most of the coat, skin and brain claims trace back to medium-chain triglycerides. There is interest in MCTs for canine cognitive dysfunction and seizure disorders, but that is not an established reason to spoon oil into a healthy dog, and Merck notes that nutritional supplements are not required and may be harmful for a dog on a complete and balanced diet. Topical use is not a loophole either -- dogs lick it off, so it ends up eaten anyway.
After a big helping, expect greasy diarrhea and possibly vomiting. The condition to watch for is pancreatitis: Merck names dietary indiscretion as a common risk factor, with Miniature Schnauzers dramatically overrepresented and higher prevalence in Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels and Poodles. Repeated vomiting, a dog that will not eat, lethargy, and VCA's praying position with the rear up and chest on the floor all mean abdominal pain, and they mean calling the clinic now rather than in the morning.
If you do use it, start at a quarter teaspoon or less for a small dog and watch the stool. If your dog got into the jar, offer water, keep the next meal light and watch for 24-48 hours. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if the signs above show up, and do not induce vomiting at home.
Frequently asked questions
- How much coconut oil can I give my dog?
- AKC puts about a teaspoon a day for a large dog at the upper end of reasonable. Start much lower for a small dog, around a quarter teaspoon, and keep all treats and add-ins under 10% of daily calories as Merck recommends.
- Is coconut oil good for my dog's itchy skin?
- The evidence is thin, and dogs lick off whatever you rub on, so topical use becomes oral use. Persistent itching, dandruff or hair loss has a cause worth diagnosing, so have your vet look rather than treating it with oil.
- My dog ate a whole jar of coconut oil. What now?
- Expect greasy diarrhea and possibly vomiting first. Offer water, keep the next meal small, and watch 24-48 hours for repeated vomiting, refusal to eat or a hunched praying posture. With a pancreatitis history or a predisposed breed, call your vet before symptoms start.