It's almost 2022, can you believe it? We've had a fantastic year here at CocoTherapy and we appreciate all your support throughout 2021. Have a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous new year – you deserve it!
Now that the year is almost over, it's time to look back at some of our favorite blog posts of 2021. Our year-end roundup posts are something of a tradition here on the blog – and as always – if you read and share only one of our posts this year, make sure it's this one!
This year on the blog, we wrote about everything from cognitive decline in dogs to canine nutrigenomics and whether or not you should let your cat outside. And of course, we shared more in-depth posts about the scientific benefits of our favorite tropical oil!
For easy reference, we've organized this year-end mega-post into 3 categories: The Science Behind Coconut Oil, General Pet Health & Wellbeing, and Virgin Coconut Oil & MCT Oil for Specific Health Issues. Scan the post for a quick roundup of the various topics and click on the titles to read the full posts.
The Science Behind Coconut Oil
The scientific health benefits of coconut oil are numerous and continue to be studied and explored. In the following posts, we look at some of the most exciting studies and science-backed benefits of coconut oil:
Scientific Studies on Coconut Oil, Ketogenic Diet & Cancer in Pets
Cancer is a huge threat to the health and longevity of our pets. That's why it's so important that pet owners do everything they can to minimize their pet's risk of developing this devastating disease. In this post, we highlight some of the scientific studies that indicate the anti-cancer properties of coconut oil. We also explore how coconut oil can be given as part of a ketogenic diet to help support your pet's immune system and protect them against cancer throughout their lifetime.
Is Coconut Oil Safe for Dogs? Does Research Say Stay Away?
Coconut oil has long been a controversial fat, not only for pets but for humans as well. Just do an online search on "coconut oil safe for dogs", or "coconut oil for dogs", and you’ll get a slew of contradictory information. In this post, we look at three of the most common myths and misconceptions surrounding virgin coconut oil and explore what the science says. Give this one a read before you say no to coconut oil for dogs or worry if coconut oil is safe for your pets.
Should You Add Coconut Oil to Your Pet’s Diet? Is it Really Necessary? The Answer Is, "It Depends"
Using virgin coconut oil topically (on the body’s surface) provides many benefits that are well known and accepted by pet parents, veterinarians, and other pet professionals. However, you may still be confused about adding it to your pet’s diet. Is it beneficial? Or even necessary? The answer is… "It depends." Find out why in this in-depth post from the 2021 blog archives.
If Virgin Coconut Oil Is Antibacterial, Does It Kill Beneficial Bacteria in the Gut?
If virgin coconut oil has powerful antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, doesn't it harm beneficial bacteria as well? Thankfully, this isn't the case. In fact, research has shown that medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in coconut oil kill only bad, pathogenic bacteria and help fight numerous bacterial infections. In this post, we examine the scientific evidence and explain how MCFAs support beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Understanding Fats: Why Some Fats Are Healthier Than Others
Fat is an essential component of a healthy diet, but not all fats are created equal. So, it’s important to understand the differences between various types of fats to make healthy choices for yourself and your pets. In this blog post, we discuss the different types of fats and explain why some fats are healthier than others. Check this one out if you're looking for a clear, concise, and practical guide to help you understand fats and their role in the body.
General Pet Health & Wellbeing
It's our goal at CocoTherapy to help your pets live longer, happier, and healthier lives. So, we've gathered some of our best posts on general pet health and wellbeing from the past year to help you achieve just that.
Preventing, Treating & Managing Gastrointestinal Diseases in Pets
The gastrointestinal, or GI, tract is an important organ system for all animals. In this blog post, we discuss the functions of the GI tract and what happens when it becomes injured. We also look at the primary causes of GI tract injury and share some tips to help you keep your pet's GI tract healthy. Finally, we explain how to treat GI issues in pets and provide ongoing support and management for their condition.
How to Manage Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats and Dogs
Do you have a dog or cat with chronic kidney disease? If so, then this blog post is for you! Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in pets and can be difficult to treat since there’s no cure. However, there are several ways to slow down the disease and improve your pet's quality of life. Read this post to find out what CKD is and how the condition can be managed. We also discuss how coconut oil can help pets with CKD by providing energy and protecting the kidneys.
Prebiotics and Probiotics…What’s the Difference?
Prebiotics and probiotics are food compounds that help support your pet's digestive and immune health. But what's the difference between these beneficial compounds, and what role do they play in the body? In this post, we explain what prebiotics and probiotics are and explore the health benefits they provide. We also take a look at the best ways to introduce prebiotics and probiotics to your pet's diet.
Canine Nutrigenomics: Can You Manipulate Your Dog’s Genes?
Canine nutrigenomics is the study of how diet interacts with a dog's genes and influences their overall health. In this post, we take a closer look at the cutting-edge field of canine nutrigenomics and explain how it can benefit your dog's health. We also explore why dogs are becoming an important model for studying diseases in humans that are related to gene regulation.
Should You Let Your Cat Go Outside?
The question of whether or not to let your cat go outside is hotly debated among cat owners. Lots of people feel guilty about keeping their cats indoors, especially when their feline friends stare longingly out of the window! But should you let your cat go outside, or is it best to keep them indoors? In this post, we weigh up the pros and cons to help you make an educated decision.
Virgin Coconut Oil & MCT Oil for Specific Health Issues
Virgin Coconut oil and MCT oil are two dietary supplements that can help both pets and people live a healthier life. The following blog posts explore the uses of these beneficial supplements in treating specific health issues:
Coconut Oil for Dog Allergies
How can you tell if your dog has seasonal allergies, and what you can do to relieve their discomfort? In this post, we explain why pets get allergic reactions and look at the three main types: food allergies, flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), and environmental allergies. We also highlight common symptoms of allergies and explore the role of coconut oil for dogs with allergies.
Coconut Oil for Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are a menace to both pets and people, so it's important to protect your home and loved ones from these stubborn and dangerous pests. Fleas can cause illnesses such as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), cat scratch disease, and anemia. Ticks can also spread dangerous tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis – all of which can be fatal. But when is flea and tick season? What’s the best way to protect your family, home, and pets? And how does coconut oil kill fleas and ticks? Check out this post for the answers.
Is Your Senior Dog Showing Signs of Cognitive Decline? How Medium-Chain Triglycerides Help
For many of us, our dogs enter our lives as exuberant little balls of puppy energy, fueled by curiosity and filled with a zest for life. Then, as our dogs age, there are physical, metabolic, and functional changes that occur in their bodies, including their brains. This affects cognition – thinking, knowing, and remembering – and in turn, causes behavioral changes. In this post, we look at cognitive decline in senior dogs and explain how medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and MCT oil can help prevent and manage the problem.
Bonus Post
Considering Fostering a Pet? 5 Compelling Reasons Why You Should
Fostering is a much-needed service that can change the life of an animal in need. It also supports animal rescue organizations working towards improving the lives of homeless, abandoned, and at-risk pets. Plus, there are lots of great benefits for those who decide to foster. In this post, we share 5 fantastic benefits of fostering a pet to encourage you to give it a go!
Wrapping Up
We hope you've enjoyed checking out the blog posts in this year's roundup and discovered some new information that can help you and your pets live longer, happier, and healthier lives. From the science behind coconut oil to pet health concerns, we've covered a lot of ground! Thanks for being a valued member of the CocoTherapy family, and we'll see you in 2022!
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and leave a comment below – we'd love to hear from you!
