Fish or Coconut Oil for Dogs—Why Not Both?

Benefits of Fish Oil for Dogs

Adding fish oil to our dogs’ meals can help a variety of aliments :

joint and ligament health; acts as an anti-inflammatory and lubricant
eases allergy symptoms
boosts digestive health
produces healthy skin and shiny coat; reduces shedding

Did you know that it has been written that fish oil can slow the growth of cancer too. Seems to me it is a wonder food product! So where can you get it and which do you buy?

I know a blogger and raw food advocate that feeds Bonnie & Clyde, because it’s concentrated, made with wild caught fish, has human grade ingredients, and the vitamin E is sourced from sunflowers. She feels the biggest benefit of using Bonnie & Clyde fish oil is that the EPA and DHA levels are far superior to other fish oil products for dogs on the market today.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs

Giving your dog coconut oil promotes healthy skin and helps with the following:

disinfects cuts – I use it on scrapes and abrasions
promotes shiny, lovely smelling coats
supports a healthy digestive system
freshens breath
supports healthy joints and ligaments
prevents and controls diabetes
helps with weight loss
helps promote a healthy thyroid
treat hot stops, dry/cracked paw pads, and dry skin
massage into a dog’s coat, then brush to roots

Fish Oil or Coconut Oil for Dogs

So which do you choose, fish or coconut oil? I think we should feed both to our dogs, because alternating oils is an excellent idea for dogs because each offers different flavors, and it keeps meal time interesting. Fish oil and coconut oil aren’t the same or similar beyond the “oil.”

Fish oil is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). Being certified in canine nutrition I can tell you that fatty acids derived from animal sources have EPA and DHA which are easier for dogs to absorb into their system. Fatty acids derived from some plant sources contain short form fatty acids, ALA, which needs to be converted to EPA before being absorbed into you dog’s system; something that becomes more difficult as a dog ages. However, my husband is allergic to all fish products so giving fish oil is not really favored in my household.

Coconut oil is rich in saturated fat. That sounds bad, because we’ve been told that saturated fat is bad, but what we’re getting in coconut oil is easier to digest, so it’s considered good for you (and your dog). Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, which is what gives it the antifungal and antibacterial benefits. I personally use the organic kind for my face to clean off makeup and I use it in my dog’s food. It’s great for your hair and your dog’s coat and for immune systems both human and canine.

So how much should I give my Dog?