Several potential health benefits of MCT oil have been observed in canine subjects. Due to its lack of flavor, MCT can be sprinkled directly on dog food, as well as used in a wide variety of other food applications, including baking, coffee, salad dressings, smoothies, and more.
In this article, we’ll look at MCT oil for dogs and discuss its benefits, how it affects seizures, recommended dosage, and how to select a high-quality MCT oil.
What Is Mct Oil?
Coconuts and palm kernels are good sources of MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides). They continue to be a liquid oil at room temperature.
They are “good” fats, like most oils found in nature that remain liquid at room temperature. Oils that solidify at room temperature, like butter or bacon grease (unfortunately the ones that taste the best!), are considered “bad” fats.
Compared to LCTs, or long-chain triglycerides, MCTs are absorbed more quickly by the body. They’re metabolized more rapidly because the liver doesn’t have to work as hard to absorb and process them.
MCTs are used as a base ingredient in a wide variety of dietary supplements, pharmaceutical drugs, foods, cosmetics, and cooking oils.
Because they are derived from foods that have been consumed for centuries (coconuts, palm kernels), they have been thoroughly researched and are known to be safe and a healthy source of energy. MCT oil is used in the treatment of multiple diseases, and scientific research suggests it may have beneficial effects.
Is Mct Oil The Same As Coconut Oil
The MCT oil that is found naturally in coconut oil. Both long- and medium-chain triglycerides can be found in coconut oil. Low-crystalline-temperature materials (LCTs) are stable as solids at standard room temperatures.
Removing the LCTs from MCT oil ensures that it remains a liquid at room temperature, which is useful because it is used in situations that call for oil and not a solid fat.
Benefits of MCT oil
1. Quick Energy for the mind and body
Short-chain fatty acids (MCTs) are easily absorbed by the body because they require little processing from the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.
They are easily metabolized into usable forms of energy or into ketones, which can enter the brain and provide it with much-needed fuel.
Some research suggests that MCTs can boost metabolism by as much as 5 percent, and they are much less likely to be stored as fat.
2. Improved Brain and Memory
As we discussed above, MCTs can be used as a source of energy by the brain. This has the potential to boost cognitive ability and memory.
For instance, studies have shown that MCT oil may improve cognition in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
This is because the ketones in the oil are used by their brains more efficiently than glucose is.
3. Nutrient Absorption
Without optimal digestion and absorption, even the healthiest diets fall short of their potential benefits. Saturated healthy fats like MCTs are necessary for the transport of fat-soluble vitamins like A, E, D, and K, as well as fat-soluble minerals like magnesium and calcium. Our Pet CBD contains organic MCT coconut oil, specifically chosen to ensure that the beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes reach your pet’s system.
4. Seizure Reduction
Human and canine seizure disorders are difficult to treat, and in some cases, medication is ineffective.
Medication to control seizures can drastically impair a patient’s quality of life. So, any additional nutritional support would be greatly appreciated. Thankfully, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) coconut oil can also aid in this regard.
Adding MCT oil to the diet has been shown to reduce seizures by as much as 42% in a small human study.
Supplementing the diets of dogs experiencing seizures with MCT oil resulted in a 48% reduction in seizures over 90 days in another study. This is a great argument in favor of trying MCT oil for epileptic dogs.
5. Insect Repellant
Up until recently, DEET was a staple ingredient in all top-tier insect repellents. The chemical’s widespread use stems from its ability to ward off mosquitoes, flies, and other biting insects, thereby limiting the potential for the spread of disease.
Unfortunately, DEET has some very real negative health consequences. It has been linked to cancer, allergic reactions, and toxicity to the central nervous system.
Using the chemical on a regular basis all over your body is extremely risky. The challenge arises when one is forced to use an insect repellant because they reside in an area where such substances are necessary for protection.
MCT coconut oil has been shown to be more effective than DEET at repelling insects. One study, for instance, found that it was 90% effective at warding off mosquitoes. Furthermore, it works wonderfully to protect canine companions from parasites like fleas and ticks.
It’s safe for the dog to lick, unlike other treatments, so there’s no need to worry if it happens. As previously mentioned, the medium chain fatty acids in MCT oil give it antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Crucial examples include capric, caprylic, and lauric acids.
Caprylic acid is the MCT with the best anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and the least noticeable flavor.
All of our CBD oils for dogs, as well as our Topical Healing Formula, are made with an organic MCT oil rich in caprylic acids.
Our MCT oil has antimicrobial properties that make it useful for cleaning the intestines of pets and reducing the prevalence of bothersome yeast infections.
6. Control Blood Sugar Levels
MCT coconut oil may be useful for diabetes management due to its potential to lower blood sugar levels.
This oil has been shown to have additional health benefits, including a reduced chance of developing diabetes by inhibiting the development of insulin resistance.
That’s why the “Underbites” CBD dog treats feature a proprietary blend of medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT oil) and ceylon cinnamon.
7. Improve Cholesterol
To say that MCT oil helps reduce cholesterol would be misleading. Considering its role in vitamin D synthesis and hormone regulation, cholesterol isn’t always bad.
Recent research has shown that eating a diet high in saturated fats from MCTs can raise “good” HDL cholesterol while lowering “bad” lipids.
Even the smaller, more dangerous LDL cholesterol molecules grew in size, which is a good thing because such molecules triple one’s risk of heart disease if they are dense and short.
MCTs can be made up of one of three different fatty acids. Caprylic acid, capric acid, and lauric acid are the three in question.
While each of these fatty acids has its own set of advantages, they can all help keep harmful microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses at bay.
Studies have shown that caprylic acid is effective against bacteria and helps improve digestive health. Because of its high concentration of capric acid, it has powerful antifungal and immune-enhancing properties.
Of the three, lauric acid has the most potent antibacterial properties and also provides significant antiviral properties.
A good organic MCT oil will typically include some combination of these three fatty acids.
9. Weight Loss
MCT coconut oil can aid in weight loss for a number of reasons. (It may be especially efficient at reducing belly fat.)
The first benefit of this oil is that it causes your body to secrete the hunger-suppressing hormones peptide YY and leptin. MCT oil has been shown to be even more efficient at this than regular coconut oil.
You now know that medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are rapidly metabolized by the body. Olive oil, avocados, and nuts all contain long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), but medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are healthier because they have fewer calories (by about 10%).
There’s also the fact that MCTs can help you keep your gut bacteria in check. Inducing weight loss in a healthy manner can be aided by this method.
It is important to keep in mind that the ketogenic diet enhances the fat burning effects of MCT coconut oil.
Consuming a diet low in carbohydrates and high in fats is essential for this. You can maintain your body’s fat-burning state with the help of MCT oil.
Mct Oil For Dogs With Seizures
If your dog ever has a seizure, you know how terrifying it is for both of you. In dogs, there is a wide variety of seizure types, including Grand Mal, Idiopathic Epilepsy, and Focal attacks.
A veterinarian should be consulted for treatment of seizures. An owner’s attempt to handle a canine’s seizure on their own is risky and could end badly. For many types of seizures, medical intervention is necessary.
On the other hand, MCT oil is remarkably risk-free. As much as 15% of total caloric intake or more than 1 gram per kilogram of body weight per day has been shown to be safe in studies.
Talk to your vet if you’re interested in trying MCT oil to treat your dog’s seizures, but know that as long as you’re using a reputable oil supplier, there’s very little risk of harming your pet.
Unlike carbohydrates, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are thought to help (and have been shown to help) dogs with seizures by providing a healthier fuel for the brain. Carbohydrates, or sugars, have been linked to increased seizure activity by triggering the over- and mis-firing of neurons in the brain.
MCTs protect the brain from glucose-based seizure activity, which may reduce seizure activity by more than 30%.
How Much Mct Oil Do I Give My Dog?
A dose of 6.5% of the dog’s kibble per day of MCT has shown promise in reducing seizures.
Can you tell us where we can locate 6.5 percent of your dog’s daily ration? First, let’s take a look at how:
To begin, we know that one cup is equivalent to eight fluid ounces. In this case, 6.5% of 8 ounces equals about 0.5 ounces.
Therefore, you would add 0.5 oz of MCT oil, or about 15 mL, to your dog’s food for every cup of food you feed them.
Use the dog’s weight from Purina’s feeding chart to determine how many ounces of MCT oil to give the dog.
How Do I Choose An Mct Oil For My Dog
Before starting your dog on a regimen of MCT oil, talk to your vet. These guidelines can help you add MCT oil effectively:
- Examine product labels for information on quality and ingredients.
- Spend your money on well-known products that have been thoroughly researched.
- Inquire from your vet about any product recommendations
Here at CBD Oil for Dogs, we offer a CBD oil for dogs that is formulated with MCT (fractionated coconut oil) for those who wish to supplement their canine’s diet with the synergistic effects of cannabidiol and MCT.
MCT oil expedites the delivery of CBD to the circulatory system and provides a more potent dose.
Since CBD is a fat-soluble compound, it is most effective when combined with MCTs.
By combining MCT with CBD, more of the active ingredient is delivered to the dog’s bloodstream without being metabolized by the liver.