5 Best Fats for the Ketogenic Diet for Senior Dogs

When it comes to putting your adult or senior dog on a ketogenic diet — whether to boost longevity, fight inflammation, or help in cancer recovery — one of the most important factors is choosing the right fats.

In this article, we’ll break down the 5 best fats for dogs on a ketogenic diet — especially for senior dogs and dogs fighting off cancer, autoimmune disorders, or chronic inflammation.

Before we get into the list, keep these two rules in mind 👇

✅ The ideal macronutrient ratio:

Aim for 70% fat and 30% protein for most senior dogs on a ketogenic plan.

🚫 Avoid all vegetable oils:

Canola, safflower, sunflower, corn, and soy oils are heavily processed and oxidized. They can increase inflammation and do far more harm than good.

Instead, use the five natural, nutrient-rich fats below to fuel your dog’s energy and longevity.

🥇 1. Grass-Fed Ghee and Grass-Fed Butter

These are two of the healthiest, most functional fats you can give your dog on a keto diet.

⭐ Why they’re amazing:

🧈 Support ketosis: The saturated fats in ghee and butter help your dog enter and stay in ketosis.

🦠 Contain butyric acid: This short-chain fatty acid has been shown in animal and human studies to help fight tumor formation in the colon.

🧬 Support gut health: Butyric acid fuels the cells lining the colon (colonocytes), helping maintain a strong gut barrier.

🛡️ Fight harmful bacteria: Butyric acid may help protect against pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.

💡 Tip: Always choose grass-fed varieties — they’re richer in omega-3s, CLA, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K2). Most supermarkets now carry these. If not, try online through Amazon, or small-business providers.

Mini Nerd Alert:

“Butyric acid … supports gut health and inflammation … an important source of energy for the cells that line the colon.”

“A growing number of studies have stressed the role of butyrate in the prevention and inhibition of colorectal cancer.”

🫒 2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil isn’t just for humans — it’s one of the best anti-inflammatory fats for senior dogs.

⭐ Why it helps:

💚 Contains oleocanthal, a natural antioxidant that acts similarly to ibuprofen in reducing inflammation.

❤️ Supports heart health and helps prevent cholesterol oxidation and excessive clotting.

🧠 May improve cognitive health in aging dogs.

💡 Storage tip: Buy your olive oil in an opaque bottle and keep the cap tightly sealed to prevent oxidation.

Which type?

Well, we're biased, but Italian is best. Greek and spanish olive oils are amazing as well. Just look for SINGLE ORIGIN. No blends. No 'pomace.' Just real, extra virgin olive oil.

If you can't find it, go with number 3...

Mini Nerd Alert:

“Oleocanthal … decreased expression of pro-inflammatory markers IL-1, TNFα and GM-CSF.”

“Administration of EVOO resulted in improved intestinal morphology … and reduced IL-1β, TGFβ and IL-6 gene expression.”

🥥 3. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

This fat is roughly 40% medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) — the same fats that make MCT oil so powerful for energy and metabolism.

⭐ Why coconut oil is powerful:

🔥 Helps dogs get into and stay in ketosis. The MCTs can help speed this process up significantly.

🦠 Antimicrobial properties: The lauric acid in coconut oil helps reduce bad bacteria and yeast in the gut.

💪 Boosts gut health and immunity, leading to stronger digestion, joints, and brain function.

🧠 Brain food: Provides clean, fast energy for the brain — perfect for older dogs showing early cognitive decline.

For my girl Lucia, the dummy on the left chewing the chair, who has a genetic auto-immune disorder, I add a lot of coconut oil to her diet that is mostly chicken, broth, vegetables, turmeric paste, vitamins and minerals. She also eats tuna and turkey at times, but the coconut oil, cycled with olive oil, is always a key part of her homemade dog food.

🥚 4. Egg Yolks

Simple, affordable, and incredibly nutrient-dense.

⭐ Why egg yolks are great:

🐣 Packed with choline, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids (if you use pasture-raised eggs).

🧈 The fats are highly digestible and help dogs transition smoothly into ketosis.

💪 Provide a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that support joint, coat, and eye health.

💡 Tip: Always cook eggs lightly (scrambled or soft-boiled) to reduce the risk of biotin interference from raw whites.

🧴 5. MCT Oil

If you want a faster, cleaner path into ketosis, MCT oil is your best friend.

⭐ How it helps:

⚡ Provides immediate energy — no digestion delay.

🧠 Supports brain function and alertness in older dogs.

🔥 Helps your dog produce ketones faster, especially in the first week of a keto transition.

💡 Note: Start slowly — just ¼ teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight per meal to avoid stomach upset.

Mini Nerd Alert:

“MCT oil has been postulated to modulate inflammatory responses … through modulation of mitochondria.”

❓FAQ: Fats and the Ketogenic Diet for Dogs

Q: Can I mix different fats together?

✅ Yes. In fact, combining ghee, olive oil, and coconut oil can balance your dog’s fatty acid profile beautifully.

Q: Are high-fat diets safe for all dogs?

⚠️ Not always. Dogs with pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, or obesity should transition more slowly and under veterinary supervision. Dogs with CKD should also avoid ketosis.

Q: How much fat should I give my dog daily?

Aim for about 70% of calories from fat — but always adjust based on your dog’s weight, activity, and medical condition.

Q: What’s the difference between coconut oil and MCT oil?

Coconut oil contains 40% MCTs, while MCT oil is nearly 100% pure. MCT oil acts faster but should be introduced gradually.

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Nerd Alert!

✅ Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)

• „Oleocanthal … decreased expression of pro-inflammatory markers interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor (TNFα) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in macrophages and chondrocytes.” mdpi.com+3pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+3pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+3

• “Administration of EVOO resulted in improved intestinal morphology, less body-weight loss, and reduced rectal bleeding and IL-1β, TGFβ, IL-6 gene expression levels in a mouse colitis model.” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• “Oleocanthal… is a minor constituent of olive oil with strong anti-inflammatory activities… promising agent to prevent chronic diseases.” mdpi.com

• “Found solely in extra virgin olive oil, oleocanthal demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory properties and has been linked to beneficial impacts on cancer and dementia.” Olive Oil Times

✅ Ghee / butyric acid

• “Butyric acid exerts potentially useful effects on many conditions … a growing number of studies have stressed the role of butyrate in the prevention and inhibition of colorectal cancer.” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• “Components of ghee such as butyric acid help in producing killer T cells in the intestinal tract, and strengthen the immune system.” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• “Butyric acid is … a short-chain fatty acid that supports gut health and inflammation … it is an important source of energy for the cells that line the colon.” VitaRx+1

✅ Coconut oil / MCTs

• “Dietary supplementation with coconut oil has an essential role in reducing neuroinflammation … virgin coconut oil treatments showed good mitochondrial health.” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• “Medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil has been postulated to modulate inflammatory responses … the current study sought to determine whether MCT oil controls inflammatory responses through modulation of mitochondria.” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• “This review aims to provide information about triglycerides of medium-chain fatty acids …” (which includes MCTs from coconut) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov