We have seen and heard over and over all the benefits of coconut oil in our diets and on for our skin. All of the health benefits for humans can also be received by cats and dogs. There are many uses both internally and topically for our pets. Coconut oil as a hairball remedy is my new favorite use.
I use coconut oil to prevent hairballs in my Persian cat. While hairballs are a ‘typical’ experience for many cats that does not mean it is normal or okay. Your cat should not be having hairballs frequently. Some cats are more prone to them than others, your cat’s coat, how much they self-groom, how much you groom the cat, diet, and organ function all play a role. Frequent hairballs may be a sign of internal problems. And while rare a severe hairballs can cause blockage which requires surgery or can be deadly.
I give my cat about half a teaspoon of coconut oil about 2-3 times a week. He loves it and eats it directly off the spoon. You could put it directly on the food as well. Since starting this routine he has not had one hairball where before he would have 1 or 2 a month.
Other uses:
Internal:
– balances good to bad bacteria in the GI track
– used to administer medication
– treat dry flaky skin
– great for pets with allergies
– increases metabolism and energy
Topical:
– cuts (promotes wound healing)
– elbow pads
– dry noses
– cracked feet pads, especially in winter
Watch my favorite Holistic Vet Dr. Karen Becker discuss the many health benefits and uses of coconut oil for your dogs and cats.
Dr. Becker recommended dosage: 1 teaspoon for every 10-15 pounds of body weight.
Alternatively, pumpkin can be used as a hairball remedy as well.
Do you use coconut oil with your pets? Please leave your experience in the comments below. :-)
My cats all LOVE coconut oil too. They go crazy for it, licking right off the spoon. Didn’t really know if it was OK for them…so glad it is. Got to be better for them than most hairball treatments, which are made with patrolium products…ick.
Ah-ha! I will be going out and getting some Coconut Oil today! Lol! My cat Lily is a beautiful long haired cat, but she leaves “aliens” on the floor, as I have come to call them, and I haven’t been able to find her usual hairball control treat, I researched it and found a whole bunch of not so pleasant things about that particular treat that I never knew about! So, I decided to look up natural remedies and came across this! Yep, going to buy some today!
Author
Good luck! Let me know how it goes. Thanks for stopping by :-)
Both of my cats go crazy over it!! They hear me open the jar and in a moment they are at my feet, meowling and jumping back and forth between me and their feeding station.
It’s their favorite treat
I wish that was the case with my cats. They won’t go near it. Have tried it several times. But the good news is that I use it to polish my wood furniture and it is fantastic. They dislike the smell so much,they now stay off the furniture!
Author
Thanks funny, I wish I could keep my cats off my counters. My cats are the opposite. When I put coconut oil on my legs my cat will come to lick it off of me.
My cat didn’t like the organic unrefined version because it smells like coconuts- but he really likes the organic refined version with no scent.
my cat will not leave me alone when i get the coconut oil out. she is well-behaved and not allowed on the counters – but if i leave the oil out, or put some in a dish to melt – she will hop right up and try to get to it. (she doesn’t generally like people food at all). it is winter and she’s an indoor/outdoor kitty, so she may be trying to fatten up. but, for whatever reason, she’s drawn to it. she has a good diet – i feed her a chicken-based, pricey catfood and a little cat tuna for a treat once in a while. it’s odd that she would like something so different from a cat’s natural, carnivorous diet – but she does. i’ve taken to putting about 1/4 tsp. on her dry food – and she gobbles it right up. from what i read, it seems to be healthy for them too. so it’s a win-win.
Author
I know mine go crazy for it as well! I put it on my legs as moisture and they will try to lick it off of me. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Will this really work for constipation? I have a long hair cat who has terrible problems in that area. I am at my wit’s end. Laxatone doesn’t work. Had to take her to the vet for an enema last time ,it was this bad.. I add water to her wet and dry food. Doesn’t help all that much…
Author
I’m really sorry your kitty is going through this. You could try coconut oil but pumpkin may work better for you. I would also recommend stop feeding dry food completely. Getting her on a well wet food diet may help.
Thanks for the quick reply! I have tried pumpkin off and on for years. They all hate it…ALso tried to eliminate the dry. That didn’t work. I offer them canned in the mornings,wioth a little warm water added. That helps a little..
Hello…I use Glandex everyday in their food…it is a powder you put in their food..the directions come with it…I get it online..at Drs. Foster Smith (drsfostersmith.com) and it works great…they poop everyday with no problem at all..and I give them a teaspoon of canned pumpkin too..with their wet food..and l leave out dry food separately…hope you have good luck…Sue S.
I’m sorry..and I’ve also started using coconut oil too for hairballs..and overall health..on my cats and dogs..and maybe I’ll try some myself…I’ve heard it’s very good for certain things…Thanks again…Sue S.
My cat has very very itchy skin and he pulls out hair to the point of having bald spots. Last year I started giving him coconut oil mixed in with wet food as a treat a couple of times a week and the difference it makes in his coat is incredible. I no longer have to give him atopica which he absolutely hates!
Author
Thank you for sharing! I’m really happy to hear its worked so well for your cat:-)
This is so exciting. I cannot wait to get my kitties to try this. :)
I just tried it with my cat, Angie, and she loves the coconut oil. I knew she liked Coconut milk but never thought of the oil. Thanks – this will definitely help with her hairballs and energy levels for sure.
Author
I’m so happy to hear that, thanks for letting me know!
Does your cat like the coconut oil? Mine are really strange about stuff like that.
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Yes, he loves licking it off the spoon. He comes running once I open the jar. You could also just put it on top of the food. I’m curious now if other cats like eating it? Anyone else???
My cat jumps up on the stool every morning for what I call her “goodie”. Her coat is beautiful and no more hair balls.
I’ve heard lots of good things about coconut oil. I have to get some for my cats. ~Island Cat Mom
That is a great idea, I am going to try that. I have also been needing something for Lucy’s dry pads so I will use it for that too. Great post.
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Great! let me know how it works :-)
Mum used it regularly for Angel Hercule and Angel Isis, who were Persian cats. As we’re shorthair, she uses it less with us. Purrs
I love coconut oil personally and for my cats.
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Me too, I keep one jar in the bathroom, one in the kitchen and one for my cat.
I knew coconut oil was great, but I definitely did not know it could be used for hairballs! Great article!