If you have a shedding pup on your hands, you are likely looking for any way to reduce the excess hair around your home.
Though many websites claim that coconut oil is an effective way to reduce shedding in dogs, this actually isn’t the case for most furry friends.
While there is no concrete evidence to support the success of coconut oil in dogs for shedding, there are many other methods that have proven to be effective.
Coconut oil may help the coat in other ways, but helping reduce to reduce shedding doesn’t seem to be one of them.
Why Do Dogs Shed Anyways?
Before we dive into the details of coconut oil use in shedding dogs, it’s important to first understand that shedding is a natural process for dogs.
Just like you and I will often shed old or damaged hair throughout the day, our dogs will experience this same process.
It is healthy for our pups to lose some unwanted fur each day, and it will be more excessive in some breeds than others.
For example, some of the breeds that are known to shed the most include Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Labrador Retrievers, Great Pyrenees, St. Bernards, Corgis, Akitas, and Shelties.
How Much Shedding Is Normal In Dogs?
Now that you are aware that some shedding is normal and to be expected in dogs, we should discuss how to spot abnormal shedding in our furry friends.
Dogs can experience excessive fur loss due to everything from dry skin to skin allergies, so you will want to be on the lookout for any signs of excessive fur loss.
First, you should always be aware of how much your breed of dog is known to shed. For example, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a Siberian Husky shedding more than a Dachshund.
You should also be aware of the typical shedding cycles in your dog, as some pups are known to shed more throughout certain seasons.
Once you have a basic understanding of your dog’s coat, we can then begin to break down what’s normal for them.
With the information above aside, a dog should never shed to the point of having patches of fur loss, and they should not be experiencing any skin irritation or redness. If you are ever concerned about the appearance of your dog’s fur or skin, we suggest having them assessed by a vet.
Is It Safe To Put Coconut Oil On A Dog’s Skin?
Coconut oil is all the rage in the health and wellness realm at the moment. With coconut oil offering many benefits to humans in terms of skin and hair health, many wonder if they can put it on their dog’s skin as well. The answer to this question is yes and no.
Coconut oil is not toxic to dogs, so it is typically safe to put it on their skin in small amounts.
- Some dogs have had contact allergies to coconut oil, but this is just a small possibility that you will need to be on the lookout for.
However, it’s important to remember that while coconut oil may not be unsafe for your dog’s skin, most dogs will lick any oil they can reach on their body.
The high fat content in coconut oil will often irritate a dog’s stomach, leading to the onset of diarrhea and vomiting.
If you do want to put coconut oil on your dog’s skin for any reason with your vet’s guidance, it should always be in an area that your dog cannot reach with their mouth.
Does Coconut Oil Help Shedding In Dogs?
Now, let’s answer the question of whether or not coconut oil can reduce shedding in dogs! Though we would love for this to be an effective method for excessive shedding in dogs, there is no scientific evidence that coconut oil can reduce fur loss in dogs.
We think we know how the idea first came about, as fatty acids have been linked to improved skin and coat health in our canine friends.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that while dogs do benefit from essential fatty acids in their diet, coconut oil only contains a very small amount of one of the essential fatty acids (linoleic acid). This amount of linoleic acid is not high enough to have any therapeutic value for dogs.
It is not harmful to put coconut oil on your dog’s skin, but it will not decrease their shedding habits.
Omega fatty acid supplements are much more effective in improving skin and coat health in dogs.
Does Coconut Oil Moisturize A Dog’s Skin?
Coconut oil may have the ability to moisture small dry patches of skin on a dog. It can be used safely when there is only one small area of concern, and it may be moisturizing enough if the dry patch is not a result of an underlying skin condition.
Just be sure that if you do put any coconut oil on your dog’s skin, that it is not in an area that they can lick freely. Coconut oil is not toxic to dogs, but consuming a large amount of it can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
How Can I Decrease Shedding In My Dog?
Since coconut oil cannot reduce shedding in dogs, let’s discuss some of the proven methods that can improve your dog’s skin and coat health over time. While shedding will occur no matter how well you care for your pup, healthy skin can reduce shedding from dryness or mild irritation.
Some of the best ways to limit shedding in your dog include:
- Brush your dog daily, especially if they are in a high shedding cycle. Frequent brushing helps to stimulate the natural oil production of the skin, and this helps to moisturize the skin and the fur. Brushing can also help to remove any fur that has already been released from the body, which prevents it from falling around your house.
- Offer them a daily omega fatty acid supplement with their meals. Just be sure that it is approved by your vet if it is a human supplement, as some supplements for humans will have ingredients that are not safe for dogs. However, you should be able to find plenty of supplements created for dogs.
- Make sure your pup is drinking plenty of water. Dehydration can lead to dry and irritated skin in dogs, so it’s important to make sure they are consuming plenty of water each day.
Final Thoughts
Coconut oil may not be the best way to decrease shedding in your dog, but there are other effective ways to do so!
We suggest increasing to daily brushing, making sure they are drinking plenty of water each day, and speaking with your vet about their recommended fatty acid supplement of choice.
Shedding in dogs is normal, but we hope that these methods can decrease the amount of fur you find around your home each day.
Healthline: Is coconut good or bad for dogs