Coconut oil is a common ingredient used in various different kinds of food, but some owners wonder whether or not their cat would benefit from adding coconut oil to their regular diet.
Cats are carnivores and therefore need high amounts of protein for proper growth and maintenance.
Cats essentially use the fat found in meat as an energy source, which means that it can sometimes be hard to get enough fat into your cat’s diet without using other sources like vegetable oils – and this is why many people consider oils such as coconut oil.
Even though cats can still get all the nutrition they need without consuming coconut oil, there may be other benefits to including it in your cat’s diet – and this is where we come in to lend you a helping hand!
If you’re currently unsure about whether or not you should give your cat coconut oil – this article will provide you with everything that you need to know, while also sharing some benefits and risks, too.
So, whenever you’re ready – let’s jump right in!
Can Cats Have Coconut Oil?
Over the past couple of years, coconut oil has become increasingly more popular in hair care, cooking and even skincare…but is it a good choice for cats?
For the most part, it is generally considered that coconut oil is completely safe for cats (and other domesticated pets) to consume, and can have a multitude of different benefits including a shinier coat, a stronger immune system, and even an increase in protective antioxidants.
If you are interested in giving your cat coconut oil, then you have the option of either applying it directly to your cat’s skin if you want to treat their coat, or alternatively by mixing very small amounts of the oil into your cat’s food.
What Are The Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Cats?
The following are just a few reasons why you might want to consider adding coconut oil to your cat’s daily diet:
Coconut Oil Helps With Weight Loss
If you feed your cat canned or dry food, you know how difficult it can be to keep them at an ideal weight. Cats naturally prefer to eat more than what they need, so if you give them too much food, they will gain weight.
Coconut Oil is high in saturated fats, which makes it easier for cats to lose weight. It helps with digestion and promotes healthy skin and coat. It also improves energy levels.
Coconut Oil Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Coconut oil lowers cholesterol because it’s rich in lauric acid. Lauric acid reduces bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol. This means that coconut oil could help lower your cat’s risk of heart disease.
Coconut Oil Improves Digestion
Coconut oil is great for improving digestion. It stimulates bile production and increases peristalsis, helping to move waste through the gastrointestinal tract.
Coconut Oil Promotes Healthy Skin And Coat
Coconut oil is a natural emollient that moisturizes the skin. It also protects against sunburn and prevents hair loss.
Coconut Oil Is A Powerful Antioxidant
It’s no secret that antioxidants are essential for maintaining health. Coconut oil is one of the most powerful antioxidants available. It fights free radicals and helps protect cells from damage.
Coconut Oil May Help Prevent Cancer
Some studies suggest that coconut oil may prevent cancer. One study found that mice fed coconut oil had fewer tumors than those who didn’t receive any treatment. Another study showed that rats given coconut oil were less likely to develop colon cancer.
Coconut Oil Protects Against Infections
Coconut oil contains antimicrobial properties that make it effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
For this reason, it means that coconut oil is an excellent, natural way to help ensure that your cat is at optimum health without having to feel the need to resort to any expensive antimicrobial meditation, or over-the-counter products at the pet store.
Coconut Oil Reduces Stress
Coconut oil helps reduce stress and anxiety. Studies show that it decreases cortisol levels and increases serotonin levels.
This means that many cat owners find that mixing some coconut oil into their cat’s food can reduce their cat’s overall feelings of stress and anxiety.
So much so, that some people find that coconut oil is a great alternative to a medication when trying to combat separation anxiety in cats.
Coconut Oil Can Be Used To Treat Feline Asthma
If your cat struggles with asthma, then one way that you could treat it (alongside using medication prescription to your cat by the vet) is with coconut oil!
Coconut oil is known to be one of the best holistic treatments for treating asthma in cats, and this is all thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties that have the ability to reduce inflammation and lower the chances of any irritation.
Coconut Oil Prevents Hair Loss
Coconut oil encourages new hair growth by promoting cell division. It also strengthens existing hair follicles, so it’s great for treating hair loss in cats, or simply as a treatment to strengthen your cat’s coat.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Coconut Oil For Cats?
While coconut oil has been shown to be safe for human consumption, not every ingredient is as well researched for use on animals.
For this reason, even though coconut oil is generally considered to be totally safe for animals to eat (including cats) if you’re a little unsure about whether or not you should give your cat coconut oil – we recommend that you consult with your veterinarian before adding coconut oil to your cat’s diet.
Not only that, but after taking the time to read through the above article, we’re hoping that you also have a much better understanding of some of the top benefits of why you should add coconut oil to your cat’s diet as well as the risks.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
