Coconut Oil Veterinary Uses

Coconut oil can help your pets get over minor aches and pains, just as it has helped humans over the years. Coconut oil is safe for pet consumption, and it can be used to speed up the body's healing process, especially if the pet is sick. As long as you can massage, feed or rub the coconut oil to your pet, it is OK to use it on them.

Relieving Itchy Skin

• Relieve dry, itchy skin by massaging small amounts of coconut oil into the affected area two to three times a day. For dogs, the most commonly dry areas are its paws and patches of healing skin, especially if the weather is cold. Dry skin can easily break and bleed, so keep it moisturized by rubbing a bit of coconut oil onto it daily. For extreme cases of dryness, massage the coconut oil all over your pet's body and let it soak for six hours before washing your pet to remove the excess oil.

Internal Supplement

• Coconut oil's natural antiseptic and antifungal properties help maintain a healthy digestive track for humans and animals. Give your pet ½ tsp. of coconut oil for every 10 pounds of body weight, and gradually increase this amount every day until you reach 1 tsp. for every 10 lbs. Cut back on coconut oil if your pet has diarrhea because the oil might further aggravate the situation. The daily dose of coconut oil can also help regulate the weight of overweight pets because it packs fewer calories than the usual fat in a pet's diet.

Treating Ear Mites and Ringworms

• Coconut oil can be used to treat ear mites by gently heating the oil on a heavy-bottomed pan until it is warm to your touch. With an eyedropper, siphon a few milliliters of oil into the dropper, and place one or two drops into the ear canal. Massage your pet's ears gently, and your pet will naturally shake his head to remove the excess oil. Do this for one month to make sure all ear mites are removed. For ringworms, place several drops of coconut oil onto a cotton ball, and gently rub it to the ringworm lesion three times a day. Do not let your pet lick the lesion, and, if necessary, cover it with bandages or use an Elizabethan collar.

Healing Wounds

• Because coconut oil is antibacterial and antiviral, it is a good protective film over your pet's wound. After cleaning the affected area, apply coconut oil onto the wound with a cotton ball or cotton swab, and cover the entire area with a thin film of oil. Wrap the wound with sterilized gauze to protect the wound, but, at the same time, keep it aerated a bit. Change the dressing once a day, and apply coconut oil on a daily basis until the wound is fully healed.