Originally Posted by
astra
Yes, coconut oil is worth all the attention.
Coconut Oil (extra-virgin, unrefined, organic etc) is excellent! It's a good kind of sat. fat (it's too long to explain here, but it's medium-chained vs. long- or short-chained fatty acids - really, too long and too technical). But it is excellent! Its absorption by our body works a bit different from the way we metabolize other fats. It is highly recommended for athletes, both professional and recreational - helps with muscle growth, post-work out recovery, provides immediate energy etc etc)
It possesses excellent antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Improves metabolism. Its concentration of lauric acid is very close to breast milk.
Although, there is not FDA suggested daily dose of coconut oil, as a guideline coconut oil experts recommend 2-3 tbsp, which will provide about 10-20 gr of lauric acid ( it's about 7gr of lauric acid per 1 tbsp of oil).
It's very likely that squirrels can benefit from antiviral and antimicrobial properties of c. oil, as well as its many other healthful qualities.
P.S. I've read that some "squirrel-oriented" people include it as an ingredient for their blocks with success.
P.P.S.S. a small amount of sat. fats in general is, actually, needed for humans, too.