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Ingredient file // Fat or oil

Coconut Oil

Useful fat, with more claims than proof

Coconut oil is fat extracted from coconut flesh. In dog food it adds calories and changes the fat blend. Claims that it improves digestion, coats or brain health go further than the evidence for coconut oil itself.

Role in the food Supporting nutrient
What it is
Oil extracted from fresh or dried coconut flesh, made up almost entirely of fat.
Made from
Fresh coconut flesh or dried copra
Main job
Adds fat and calories
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Dogs needing a restricted fat diet
Not the same as
Concentrated MCT oil

Straight answer

Is Coconut Oil safe for dogs?

Read it as fat, then check the food

Coconut oil low on the ingredient list is a small part of the recipe. If it sits higher, look closely at the food's fat and calorie figures. Check for other oils that supply essential fatty acids, and skip claims that treat coconut oil like concentrated MCT oil.

Why it is in the food
Adds fat and calories

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 12 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

8%

269 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 32 brands. 185 dry dog food, 49 wet dog food, 14 frozen dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 11. In the top five of 16 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

78%

Listed before the salt in 78% of foods. In the rest it is under about 1% of the recipe.

Price per lb

Foods with it $4.32
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 150 priced foods, 33% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

12%

of the foods that list it are from Open Farm. 32 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Coconut processors extract oil for food and industrial uses. They press dried flesh, called copra, or separate oil from fresh coconut. The pressed solids become a separate feed ingredient.5,6

  1. 01 // Source Coconut flesh Processors start with fresh coconut flesh or dry it into copra before extracting the oil.
  2. 02 // Process Oil extracted Machines press oil from copra; fresh coconut offers another route for separating the oil.
  3. 03 // Process Refined or filtered Oil from copra may be refined and deodorized, while oil from fresh flesh is filtered.
  4. 04 // Output Coconut oil The finished oil goes to food makers; pressed copra solids become meal for animal feed.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

407

g/kg lauric

Lauric acid dominates the copra oil table. The shorter fats emphasized in concentrated MCT products make up a much smaller share.

Crude fat 100%4
Lauric acid 407 g/kg4
C6, C8 and C10 fatty acids 115 g/kg4
Linoleic acid 16.5 g/kg4
Linolenic acid 0.9 g/kg4

The rows describe copra oil. Fatty acid shares vary between samples, although refined and virgin coconut oils have broadly similar profiles. Coconut oil supplies little of the essential fatty acids a complete food needs.4,6,7

Why it is in the bag

A real fat source, not a health supplement

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Coconut oil is nearly pure fat, so it adds calories and shifts the food's fat blend. Labels rank ingredients by weight, so when it appears below the main animal fat or oil, it is likely a minor fat source. Higher on the list, it makes up a bigger share of the food's fat. It supplies little linoleic acid, so other ingredients must provide essential fats.4,10

  1. 01

    Adds concentrated calories

    As nearly pure fat, coconut oil raises a recipe's energy and fat content without adding protein, starch or fiber.4

  2. 02

    Changes the fat blend

    Its lauric-heavy profile gives manufacturers another fat source. Other ingredients must supply the essential fatty acids coconut oil provides in small amounts.4,6

  3. 03

    Supplies a marketable oil

    Coconut processing produces oil at industrial scale. Brands also promote it for digestion, brain function and glossy coats, benefits that require separate proof.5,6,9

How much One study fed virgin coconut oil at 10% of daily calories to dogs with chronic enteropathy; that is a tested amount, not a typical recipe level.1

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Coconut oil gives dogs concentrated energy

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    The feed table lists coconut oil as 100% crude fat on a dry matter basis, so it plainly adds calories. That is its job in a recipe; the figure does not show a special energy boost.4

  2. Brands say

    Coconut oil improves a dog's digestion

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In 18 dogs with chronic enteropathy, stool scores improved between baseline and the later coconut oil phase. The dogs had already changed diets, and the study did not demonstrate a stool benefit from adding the oil.1,9

  3. Owners say

    Coconut oil helps control seizures

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A blinded trial in 21 dogs found fewer seizures on a diet containing 5.5% formulated MCT. It tested that diet, not coconut oil, which contains a smaller share of the shorter fats emphasized in MCT products.2,3,4,7

  4. Brands say

    Coconut oil makes a dog's coat glossy

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Brands sell the coat benefit, but the 18-dog coconut oil study measured gut outcomes, not coats. Coconut oil contains little linoleic acid and almost no linolenic acid. A feeding benefit for coats remains untested.1,4,9

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No, it's fat

    It contributes concentrated calories and changes the food's fat blend. Those are real recipe jobs. Judge the complete food's fat level and essential fatty acid sources, rather than treating coconut oil as a health supplement.4

  2. Q02

    Is it the same as MCT oil?

    No

    Concentrated MCT products emphasize shorter fats. Coconut oil is dominated by lauric acid, so the seizure result from a formulated MCT diet does not show that coconut oil has the same effect.2,4,7

  3. Q03

    Does it replace fish oil?

    No

    The copra oil table lists no EPA or DHA and very little linolenic acid. If a bag promises marine omega-3 fats, look for a separate fish or algae ingredient.4

  4. Q04

    Why is it low on the list?

    Check the fat

    Ingredients are listed by weight, so a low position means coconut oil contributes less weight than the ingredients above it. The finished food's fat and calorie figures tell you more about what your dog eats.4,10

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Open Farm 33 / 42
  2. Health Extension 30 / 47
  3. Now Fresh 26 / 35
  4. Nulo 21 / 117
  5. Weruva 17 / 50
  6. Hill's 17 / 116
  7. Go! Solutions 12 / 46
  8. The Honest Kitchen 12 / 36
  9. Wysong 12 / 20
  10. Instinct 11 / 98

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 22 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #4 Hill’s Science Diet Light Small & Mini Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
  2. #31 Open Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
  3. #46 The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Beef Recipe Whole Food Clusters Dry Dog Food
  4. #61 Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
  5. #71 The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken & Oat Recipe Whole Food Clusters Dry Dog Food

Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Flaxseed 45%
  2. Mixed Tocopherols 43%
  3. Chicken 35%
  4. Natural Flavor 33%
  5. Peas 31%
  6. Sweet Potatoes 21%
  7. Potatoes 21%
  8. Salmon 20%
  9. Carrots 19%
  10. Brown Rice 19%
  11. Lentils 17%
  12. Chicken Meal 17%

On the shelf

Foods that list Coconut Oil

269 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Evanger’s Super Premium EVX Restricted Diet: Skin & Coat Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s Super Premium EVX Restricted Diet: Skin & Coat Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PR Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PR Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PD Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PD Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelNulo Signature Stews Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo Signature Stews Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelOpen Farm GoodGut Wild-Caught Salmon Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm GoodGut Wild-Caught Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelOpen Farm GoodGut Grass-Fed Beef Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm GoodGut Grass-Fed Beef Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Large Breed with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Large Breed with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelOpen Farm Large Breed RawMix - Grain Free Large Breed Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Large Breed RawMix - Grain Free Large Breed Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelWeruva Awesome Functions Awesome Shiny Chicken & Rice For Skin & Coat Health Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Awesome Functions Awesome Shiny Chicken & Rice For Skin & Coat Health Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWeruva Awesome Functions Awesome Shiny Beef & Brown Rice Recipe with Flaxseed Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Awesome Functions Awesome Shiny Beef & Brown Rice Recipe with Flaxseed Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelUnconditional Air-Dried Topper: Mobility & Anti-Inflammatory Dog Food TopperUnconditionalUnconditional Air-Dried Topper: Mobility & Anti-Inflammatory Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 6 on the label
Show 48 more
Royal Canin Veterinary Ultamino Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Ultamino Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Hydrolyzed Protein PS Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Hydrolyzed Protein PS Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PW Large Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PW Large Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Vegetarian Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Vegetarian Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 4 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PW Moderate Calorie Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein PW Moderate Calorie Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 4 on the labelRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein Adult PV Dry Dog FoodRoyal CaninRoyal Canin Veterinary Selected Protein Adult PV Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 4 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Tide & Terrain - Grain Free Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Tide & Terrain - Grain Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelOpen Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals Roll The Dice Chicken & Rice Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals Roll The Dice Chicken & Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals Oh So Nice Sirloin Tips & Rice Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals Oh So Nice Sirloin Tips & Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelEvanger’s Organic Chicken & Turkey Dinner Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodEvanger'sEvanger’s Organic Chicken & Turkey Dinner Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Beef, Beef Liver & Kale Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Beef, Beef Liver & Kale Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelNulo Signature Stews Chicken & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo Signature Stews Chicken & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelNulo Signature Stews Chicken, Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo Signature Stews Chicken, Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Chicken, Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Chicken, Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Beef, Beef Liver & Kale Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Beef, Beef Liver & Kale Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelRayne Nutrition Rabbit Maint Quinoa Rabbit-Maint with Quinoa Dry Dog FoodRayne NutritionRayne Nutrition Rabbit Maint Quinoa Rabbit-Maint with Quinoa Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelRayne Nutrition Plant Based Plant-Based Dry Dog FoodRayne NutritionRayne Nutrition Plant Based Plant-Based Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm Dry Puppy Food Salmon Puppy Food with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Dry Puppy Food Salmon Puppy Food with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Tide & Terrain Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Tide & Terrain Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm Goodbowl Harvest Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Goodbowl Harvest Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm Farmer’s Table Pork Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Farmer’s Table Pork Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm Pasture-Raised Lamb Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Pasture-Raised Lamb Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelHill’s Prescription Diet k/d + Derm Complete Rice & Egg Recipe Dry Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Prescription Diet k/d + Derm Complete Rice & Egg Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelHill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Potato & Salmon Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Potato & Salmon Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelHill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Potato & Venison Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Potato & Venison Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelNutriSource Chicken & Duck Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Chicken & Duck Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 7 on the labelNutriSource Beef & Lamb Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Beef & Lamb Recipe Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 7 on the labelTruDog Freeze-Dried Raw Skin & Coat Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTruDogTruDog Freeze-Dried Raw Skin & Coat Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelNulo Savory Stews Ancient Grains Chicken & Salmon Recipe Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo Savory Stews Ancient Grains Chicken & Salmon Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals I’m In Luck With Duck & Rice Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen BFF Fun Size Meals I’m In Luck With Duck & Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelHalo Holistic Freeze-Dried Raw Skin & Coat Topper Dog Food TopperHaloHalo Holistic Freeze-Dried Raw Skin & Coat Topper Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelOpen Farm Digestive Health Wild Pollock Recipe Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Digestive Health Wild Pollock Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Tuna, Pollock & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Tuna, Pollock & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelNulo Savory Stews Ancient Grains Chicken & Mackerel Recipe Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo Savory Stews Ancient Grains Chicken & Mackerel Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Protein Chicken Formula Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Protein Chicken Formula Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelAnnamaet Original Senior Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Original Senior Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelAnnamaet Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelRayne Nutrition Rabbit Maint Rabbit-Maint Dry Dog FoodRayne NutritionRayne Nutrition Rabbit Maint Rabbit-Maint Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOpen Farm Farmstead Duck Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Farmstead Duck Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Great Plains Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Great Plains Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOpen Farm Goodbowl Grass-Fed Beef & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Goodbowl Grass-Fed Beef & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOpen Farm Ancient Grains RawMix Open Prairie Recipe-Ancient Grain Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Ancient Grains RawMix Open Prairie Recipe-Ancient Grain Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOpen Farm Catch of the Season: Whitefish Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Catch of the Season: Whitefish Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelWysong Epigen 90 Starch-Free Dry Dog FoodWysongWysong Epigen 90 Starch-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelPurina Beyond Organic Small Dog Chicken, Egg & Carrot Recipe Natural Dry Dog FoodPurinaPurina Beyond Organic Small Dog Chicken, Egg & Carrot Recipe Natural Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelPurina Beyond Organic Chicken, Egg & Sweet Potato Recipe Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodPurinaPurina Beyond Organic Chicken, Egg & Sweet Potato Recipe Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked September 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Fecal Microbiota, Bile Acids, Sterols, and Fatty Acids in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathy Fed a Home-Cooked Diet Supplemented with Coconut Oil Animals, 2023 // Journal
  2. 2 A randomised trial of a medium-chain TAG diet as treatment for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy British Journal of Nutrition, 2015 // Journal
  3. 3 A randomised trial of a medium-chain TAG diet as treatment for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy - CORRIGENDUM British Journal of Nutrition, 2016 // Journal
  4. 4 Copra oil Tables of composition and nutritional values of feed materials, INRAE, CIRAD and AFZ, n.d. // Database
  5. 5 Copra meal and coconut by-products Feedipedia, 2015 // Database
  6. 6 Coconut Food Production Tetra Pak Coconut Handbook, n.d. // Industry
  7. 7 Is Coconut Oil Good for You? Oklahoma State University Extension, n.d. // University
  8. 8 Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats Merck Veterinary Manual, 2025 // Book
  9. 9 Gastrointestinal Formula | Chicken Recipe OMUA Pet Food, 2026 // Industry
  10. 10 What's in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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