Can coconut oil remedy dog seizures? Science-backed answer

Dog seizures are one of the most frequently reported neurological conditions in dogs. It can be emotionally disturbing to see your dog in such a state.

Caused by a temporary disruption of normal brain function, seizures can be treated but in some cases may be a lifelong condition—especially if your dog has epilepsy. 

Pet parents whose dogs suffer from seizures may be given medicine by their veterinarian. While some of these medications can can be helpful, they're effective in only 60% to 70% of dogs [*].

Between the relatively low rate of efficacy and the long-term side effects of using any medication, many pet parents are exploring home dietary remedies for dog seizures—including, most notably, coconut oil.

In this article, we delve into the scientific research behind using coconut oil (and other MCT oils) to treat dog seizures to see if there are benefits.

What causes a dog seizure?

First, there's an important distinction to remember: a seizure is a sign of disease, not the disease itself. Rather, the causes of dog seizures can be extremely varied, including:

• Idiopathic epilepsy
• Poisons
• Head injury
• Blood sugar
• Liver disease
• Lungworm
• Tumors

However, the principal cause is idiopathic epilepsy (IE). Epilepsy refers to repeated episodes of seizures. Meanwhile, the term idiopathic means the precise cause of IE remains unknown.

Coconut oil and other home remedies for dog seizures tend to focus exclusively on idiopathic epilepsy.

Please refer to our helpful science-backed guide Dog Seizures: Symptoms, Causes & Dietary Treatment Plan for further information.

Why might coconut oil be beneficial?

Coconut oil has an extremely high content of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs)—which are rapidly absorbed by the bloodstream and converted into ketones by your dog's liver. These ketones can be used as an alternative energy pathway that may bypass the malfunctioning glucose-based pathway.

MCTs have several other reported health benefits, including weight loss, increased energy abundance and cholesterol reduction [*].

Of all the home remedies for dog seizures, coconut oil is the richest natural source of MCTs. They make up over half of the fat in copra—the kernel or meat of coconuts. Coconuts contain the MCTs lauric acid (42%), caprylic acid (7%) and capric acid (5%) [*].

The scientific research explained

Let's now sift through the latest scientific research into the use of coconut oil as a treatment for idiopathic epilepsy and dog seizures.

We'll explain each study and summarize the relevant results so you can make an informed decision about adding coconut oil to your dog's diet.

1. Dog parents report 90% reduction in seizures

In a 2018 study, investigators conducted a survey of owners of dogs with IE. They received 297 responses from owners, with over two-thirds reporting changing their dog's diet after the IE diagnosis [*].

So what changes did they make?

Well, according to the study "nearly half of the owners (45.8%) reported giving dietary supplements, the most common being coconut oil or derived medium-chain triglyceride oil (71.3%).”

The survey reported that using a dietary supplement—primarily MCTs and coconut oil—led to a reduction in dog seizure frequency of almost 90% and a reduction in seizure severity of 62%.

In fact, the authors concluded that veterinary surgeons should advise their patients to use a dietary supplement for dog seizures and monitor it.

2. European study reduced seizures by 32%

A recent 2020 study provided extremely strong support for treating sezures with MCTs found in coconut oil.

Twenty-one dogs across Europe were administered MCT oil. After 84 days, the average seizure frequency per month dropped by 32% [*].

As the study itself concludes, "the use of a diet enriched with MCTs as an adjunct to antiseizure drugs may have some antiseizure properties for dogs diagnosed with IE."

These findings mirror what's seen in other studies.

3. Proof that MCTs are converted into ketones

Part of proving that coconut oil reduces dog seizures is proving how MCTs work at all. One study published in 2016 may hold the answer [*].

Without getting too technical, it's believed that MCTs benefit the brain by stimulating liver ketosis, which in turn provides fuel for the brain.

In this study, the researchers proved that MCTs also modulate the metabolism of certain brain cells (through enhancement of the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle...if you speak fluent biology) suggesting another mechanism by which MCTs assist with epilepsy.

4. Extra boost when with a whole food diet

A comparison of two dietary interventions was conducted in two dogs suffering from uncontrolled epileptic seizures. Both dots were experiencing toxic side effects from their medications—which is not uncommon [*].

One dog was given a diet rich in MCTs, including one teaspoon of a virgin coconut oil and MCT oil mixture. In total, approximately 15% of their diet was MCTs.

The other dog was not fed MCTs or coconut oil, but had their processed foods (i.e. dry kibble) replaced with whole foods. Fat and protein content was not changed, nor were carbohydrates reduced.

Both dogs saw a reduction in seizures—and the dog fed MCTs had the most significant seizure reduction. It's therefore implied that the MCTs in coconut oil were at least partially responsible.

Furthermore, this study showed that if your dog is suffering from seizures, you should not feed dry kibble. In fact, it suggested you may see the most improvement by switching to a minimally processed natural dog food with coconut oil instead. 

5. 2021 review of all research showed MCT's effectiveness

In a 2021 review of all the latest research done over the past decade, the authors concluded that MCT is effective at managing epilepsy in dogs [*].

As concluded that "data demonstrating the successful management of epilepsy in people, dogs, and rodents by using nutritional approaches, such as diets resulting in ketone body production, such as ketogenic and MCT diets, indicate that certain types of epilepsy may be caused by dysfunctions in energy metabolism."

Therefore, MCTs and coconut oil aren't just treating the symptoms of IE—they're getting to the root cause.

The bottom line

The evidence is clear and growing: coconut oil benefits dog seizures and treats epilepsy. The key factor is the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) found in extremely high quantities in coconut oil.

To get the full benefits, add the proper dosage of coconut oil into your dog’s daily or weekly diet. 

We offer a minimally processed dog food with the right dosage of MCTs for treatment already included. Try Perfect Kibble if your dog is currently suffering from seizures and epilepsy.

No matter what, be sure to contact a veterinarian if your dog is suffering from seizures.