coconut oil

[Gordie]

Anybody heard of useing this with your dogs food?

I was told it will really help their skin and coat.

I was told this by a so called dog expert and she said 1 tablespoon with their food. Was also told to watch out for irregular bowel movemnts as in to loose if this happens backoff the amount given.

[brittman]

Better off just feeding the dog a better than average food.

[Gordie]

My lab eats the good stuff but has a really dry skin problem.

I think it due to her eating scraps and I said no more and have noticed an improvement. I think she has got allergies from the perservitves in some our foods. Since I have put a stop to it she has stopped scratching as much and they dry skin is acctually going away.

The coconut oil is suppose to help with the skin problems and help the coat so I thought I wuld try it.

[LABS4ME]

Adding supplements can help with certain things over and above a 'good' food. Show people especially have their little things they like to add for skin, coat, addl weight etc.

There is a fish oil product out now that is suppose to help with skin and coat. I recieved a bottle of it to try, but haven't started them on it yet. I will try and remember to pull it out and post the name.

Good Luck!

Ken

[brittman]

Just like anything else. It is your money. Whether the "snake oils" work or not is much like the nutriceutical industry for humans. Try it and if you believe it helps stay with it.

That said I absolutely swear by the holiopathic route for dog arthritis. The glucosamine/chondroitin pills worked wonders and I believe gave one of my dogs another 3-4 years in the field.

Back to my original post. Start with a better than average dog food. Supplements tied to feeding a dog a cheap dog food does not win out economically or for the dog.

Gordie - most dog foods have the similar perservatives as human foods. Note also the fact that an antioxidant is essentially a preservative.

[LABS4ME]

The irony here is more and more evidence is coming forth disproving G/C from having any better effects on arthritis patients than aspirin alone. Some Docs are now calling it 'Snake Oil' it has no bearing on the outcome of your arthritis... Many holistic docs still feel it is a godd way to treat arthritis.. Most Docs will now state there is no clear evidence if it does, or if it does not work. It is up to you to decide if you want to purchase it and use it. Some people state there was definite improvement and they felt it is an effective solution to a problem... some state they had no reduction in pain, some state after initial use and discovering contrary research as to it's effectiveness that once they went off if it, their pain did not change any from when they were on it... some in the placebo groups state the same net results as those in the G/C groups. Lots of reading on it if you want. Make sure it is on medical science and not a group promoting using a dietary supplement.

As the orig. post is asking. He may be using good food and is looking for a dietary supplement to help with dry skin. It may or may not help/work. It is up to each individual to decide if the costs vs. benefits are worth it. Many people swear by the suppliments they give.

Just as you would most likely use G/C again because of your previous positive experience, whether current research supports your individual findings or not, contrarily if a person sees improvement in skin or coat issues when using a supplement, they will most likely continue to use it whether or not dog food ratings state that addl supplements are not needed.

The whole supplement argument has no hard and fast rules... some say they definitely work, some cry out only fools use them... it is up to you to make your own decision...

Good Luck!

Ken

[brittman]

My dog's one hip was pretty rough. At seven she was x-rayed at the U for another issue ... they said she would probably need a hip replaced to keep hunting.

The Glucosamine worked. Rimadyl did not work so much on my dog and certainly not worth the high cost. At 9 she did not limp or show signs of being tender after the hunt or even the next morning.

What works in dogs does not always translate into effective cures for humans.

LABs - thanks for supporting my comment.

Just like anything else. It is your money. Whether the "snake oils" work or not is much like the nutriceutical industry for humans. Try it and if you believe it helps stay with it.

[870Express]

I give my brittany a generic fish oil pill that I get in bulk for next to nothing. Bottle says three pills a day for humans. Two feedings a day for the dog, two pills a day - worked well. I switched to a different generic fish oil pill about a year ago. I couldn't figure out why everything in the house smelled like dead northerns. After a week of dead northern smell, I happened to read the bottle while feeding the dog. One pill a day per adult person. I got real close to the dog, took one whiff and found my northern.

Learned lesson: read labels, don't give a 45lb dog double a humans' dose of anything.

[Pherris]

I feed my black lab pro plan by purina and also a supplement called lipiderm. It contains fish oil vitamin A & E. 1 tablet daily with a meal. It seems to reduce her shading and I get many compliments on how shiny and soft her coat is. I also have friends that use regular fish oil and that seems to work good too. The lipiderm is $23 for 120 tablets. The key starts with the food in my opinion. Meat should be the first ingredient in any dog food.

Good Hunting!,

[LABS4ME]

What works in dogs does not always translate into effective cures for humans.

LABs - thanks for supporting my comment.

I think I did... I am just syaing everyone will have different experiences! Some good, some not so good. Not a one size fits all subject!

Good Luck!

Ken

[Gordie]

Well my lab has been on this coconut oil for a week its a tablespoon full each day with food and I have noticed two things her coat is softer and shinner and she doesnt have the bad dog smell as strong as it is.

Her eyes have also cleared up abit meaning the eye boogers are not as bad and this may not have anything to do with it but as I stated in my first post I think the dog has allergies and this seems to be helping.

[Kyhl]

The thing that worries me about coconut oil is that it is about the worst oil for you as far as fat content goes. That is the reason it was banned from use in theater popcorn years ago.

But I still use it to make popcorn at home because it does taste the best.

I'd be looking at other oils instead of coconut for a regular diet.

[LABS4ME]

Dogs bodies have evolved to not have the same problems with cholestoral as you and I... they are not built like us and metabolize fats different than humans. Not to say a dog can not get fat, they can, but they do not have the corresponding cholesterol problems generally associated with humans and a high fat diet.

I myself would not have any concerns, but I am not a vet. If you use coconut oil and have concerns certainly talk to your vet and use his guidance.

Good Luck!

Ken

[Kyhl]

Agreed as far as meat fats go, but I'm not sure how many dogs diets evolved from retreiving coconuts.

Or if there is any difference between the fats in a diet. I would think so but I'm no expert. Just a theory.