Cassidys Mom
Posted : 3/15/2008 8:09:34 PM
I read an article in the Whole Dog Journal over a year ago about the benefits of coconut oil, and decided to try it. I'd always thought of it as one of those dreaded tropical oils that are insidious in prepared foods and so bad for you, so I was surprised to find out that while the hydrogenated stuff IS really bad (trans fat), virgin coconut oil is considered a healthy fat. At the time Keefer was on meds for SIBO and on a special diet until we cleared up his digestive issues, and what appealed to me was that medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are well tolerated, even by dogs who have trouble with other kinds of fats. His coat was dry, so I wanted to add some oils to his diet that wouldn't upset his digestive tract. My dogs love it too, and tolerate it just fine. I actually ran out a couple of weeks ago and just ordered more earlier today. I get mine online from Tropical Traditions. Two quarts in glass bottles is currently $52.50, less than a buck an ounce, and much cheaper than the local health food store.
I also picked up a smaller bottle for cooking, but there is a discernible taste, so I'm careful how I use it. It's terrific in rice, especially for Asian dishes. Funny thing, my hubby hates coconut, and I put some in rice that I served next to pork tenderloin that I had grilled, sliced, and drizzled with a ginger sauce. He noticed the rice tasted different than usual but couldn't identify what the mystery ingredient was. He was quite surprised to find out it was coconut oil, lol! I've also served coconut rice with shrimp scampi and that was good too. Now, if we're having rice as a side dish he'll ask if we can have coconut rice. 