3 Benefits of MCT Oil for Dogs
As research into medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil continues, studies are showing promising benefits for dogs’ heart and brain health! So, let’s take a look at what MCT oil is and how adding it to your dog’s daily diet can improve their overall health.
What is MCT Oil?
Medium-chain triglycerides are types of fatty acids that are found in palms and coconuts. They get their name “medium” from their chemical structure, which contains 6-12 carbon atoms.
There are 4 types of MCTs:
Caproic acid - C6 - (6 carbon atoms)
Caprylic acid - C8- (8 carbon atoms)
Capric acid - C10 - (10 carbon atoms)
Lauric acid - C12 - (12 carbon atoms)
There are two other types of fatty acids: long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which are made up of 12+ carbon atoms, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have fewer than 6.
MCTs are a fast and efficient energy source for dogs. Plus, they’re more easily absorbed and metabolized by the body than LCTs.
The Difference Between MCT and Coconut Oil
While MCT oil and coconut oil are from the same source–coconuts–the main difference between the two is that coconut oil contains both medium-chain and long-chain fatty acids.
This is an important distinction because even though coconut oil does have MCT oils in it, the LCTs in it are not as easily absorbed by dogs’ bodies.
Top 3 Health Benefits for Dogs
1. Helps Slow Aging in Senior Dogs
Studies are showing that MCT oil improves memory and learning in older dogs. Here’s how:
It helps protect brain cells. Phospholipids, the fats that protect brain cells, are increased when MCT oil is added to your dog’s diet.
MCT oil helps DHA cross the blood-brain barrier. And that’s a good thing because Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the omega-3 fatty acid, is vital for brain function! High DHA levels are essential for developing puppies’ and aging dogs’ brain health.
MCTs are an alternative brain energy source. As dogs age, they naturally struggle to use glucose in their brains. And without glucose to fuel their brain, brain health can begin to decline. The good news is that MCTs are easily digestible and diffuse straight into the blood, going directly to the liver where they’re converted into ketones. Plus, MCT increases the amount of lactic acid in the blood. And both lactic acid and ketones are energy sources for your dog’s brain!
2. Improves Heart Health and Slows Heart Disease
Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common canine heart disease. With MMVD, the heart muscle runs out of fuel, similar to what happens with senior dogs’ brains.
However, according to Dorothy Laflamme DVM, MCTs, and the ketones from MCTs, give your dog’s heart an alternative fuel source! And it’s been shown to reduce the amount of damage by free radicals.
3. Reduces Seizures in Dogs With Epilepsy
An exciting discovery with MCT oil is that it’s been shown to significantly reduce seizures in dogs with epilepsy.
In 2020 and 2021, Berk et al performed two studies with MCTs and epileptic dogs. The dogs who were part of the studies had complications from epilepsy, including seizures and memory and learning issues.
Compared to the dogs in the control group, the dogs eating a diet that contained 9% MCTs were:
More trainable
Had better memory
Had better problem-solving abilities
Had fewer seizures each month
Check Out CocoTherapy’s MCT-3 Oil
We carry CocoTherapy’s TriPlex™ MCT-3 Oil in store and online. It’s an ultra potent MCT oil plus lauric acid, and can be given to dogs, cats, and birds!
References:
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/mct-oil-for-dogs/
https://www.earthbuddypet.com/eb-blog/mct-oil-for-dogs/