Dog owners love to give their four-legged friends coconut oil, they practically swear by it. According to many dog owners, coconut makes dogs’ coats glossy and sleek, eliminates doggy odor, and even benefits metabolic function, weight loss, arthritis, and bone health! Now, given that coconut oil is so good, what about coconuts and coconut flesh in general? Can dogs eat coconut? Is it safe for them just like coconut oil, or should we avoid giving it to our dogs?
That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about in this article. We’re going to answer the question of whether dogs can eat coconut or not. Whether coconut is safe for dogs or not.
Besides this, we have a number of articles on other safe and unsafe human foods that you might want to read about:
- Which Food Is Good Or Bad For Dogs?
- What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
- What fruits can dogs eat and which are toxic?
If you need more coconut and coconut oil-related articles you can find them on our page as well:
- All the benefits of Coconut oil for dogs
- Is Coconut Oil Good For Dogs?
Can dogs eat coconut?
Coconut is considered a safe food for dogs. So the answer to the question can dogs eat coconut is yes! Generally speaking, coconut is not toxic to dogs, it is considered a safe food, and additionally, it also offers lots of health benefits.
However, just like it is with all human foods, there are a few things you need to take into consideration before you let your pooch munch on some coconut. Coconut products dogs can eat are natural and don’t have any added preservatives. They could be a good thing to add to your dog’s diet, and there are many different ways to add it.
Now that we know that natural coconut is more than safe for dogs, let’s see which coconut products dogs should and shouldn’t eat. The two most common ones in modern days are coconut water and coconut oil. While we know that coconut oil is good for some skin conditions, and that coconut water helps decrease inflammation, are they equally good for canines as well?
Can my dog consume coconut water?
Yes. Coconut water, while not a substitute for water, can be a tasty treat for your dog. It’s high in electrolytes and nutrients like potassium, calcium, and vitamin C, which can help keep your dog hydrated and give them a boost of energy. To see how your dog’s system reacts to coconut water, gently incorporate it into their diet. All you need is a few ounces per day as a treat or to keep your dog hydrated on hot days. When training, a few coconut water ice cubes can be a great treat. Keep in mind that coconut water contains a lot of carbs, so don’t let your pup drink too much of it. Also, make sure the coconut water you’re providing your dog is pure and free of sugar and other preservatives.
Coconut is considered a safe food for dogs
Should I give my dog coconut oil?
Coconut oil can help your dog in a variety of ways. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. Certain amounts added to your dog’s diet are considered healthful and safe by veterinarians. However, occasional adverse reactions or digestive issues may arise. Some dogs may even develop diarrhea. Your veterinarian will advise you on the appropriate amount to feed your dog. But don’t forget that coconut oil contains a lot of fat and therefore also calories, which could lead to your dog gaining weight. For every teaspoon of coconut oil you give your dog, you should add 120 calories. Do not offer coconut oil to your dog if he or she has pancreatitis. Coconut oil can be used in a variety of ways to supplement your dog’s food. However, make sure you’re not overdoing it. If you do, your dog may have health problems in the future.
Benefits of coconut for dogs
In the last couple of years, coconut has become the main hype of the food industry. Coconut shakes, coconut water, coconut flakes, we seem to add coconut in everything. But that’s for good reason actually.
Coconuts are very high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber! This means they are not only great for you but for your dog too. No matter in which form you feed it to your dog it’s a great addition to your pooch’s diet (notice how we wrote “addition”, but more on that later).
It’s undeniable that the flesh of a coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber! it contains several vitamins such as vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5, and B6! Besides this, coconut is full of minerals including iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous.
We can’t forget manganese either, which can also be found in very high levels in coconut. Manganese is great for bone health and metabolic functioning.
Besides this, coconut is full of antioxidants that are great for your dog’s immune system, as well as a medium-chain fatty acid called lauric acid, which helps reduce inflammation in the body and just like antioxidants provide a boost to the immune system.
If this wasn’t enough, coconut also contains skin-protecting properties as well. It has natural oils that lead to shinier fur and less dry skin! As you can see, coconut is a real health bomb! But how should you feed coconut to your dog?
How to feed your dog coconut
Now that you know all the benefits that coconut CAN have on your dog’s health, let’s talk about why your dog doesn’t actually NEED coconut.
You remember that we’ve said that coconut can be a good addition to your dog’s diet. Well, the truth is, your dog doesn’t actually need coconut in its diet. If you make sure to buy your dog high-quality dog food, then they should get all the nutrients from that dog food. Basically, your dog should be getting all the important minerals and vitamins from their own food, and you should not rely on human food or supplements.
However, it also doesn’t hurt to add it to your dog’s diet either! Even though your dog might not get all the health benefits coconut provides, it can be a nice and healthy snack for your pooch. And there are many creative ways to feed coconut to your pup.
Before you give your dog any coconut, please make sure you feed it to your dog safely. Always keep the outer shell away from your dog, because it can be harmful if swallowed. It can be a major choking hazard.
Also, make sure you feed your dog fresh or dried coconut meat, and it has to be unsweetened, added sugars are never healthy for your pup.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the short answer to the question can dogs eat coconut is yes! Dogs can definitely eat coconut as a safe treat. This fruit contains many vitamins and nutrients in general which can be beneficial for your dog. While you can’t feed whole coconuts to your dog, pet parents can find other fun ways to add small quantities to their dogs’ diet.
However, that doesn’t mean that you HAVE to feed coconut to your dog. Your pup can still get all of his nutritional needs met without ever eating any coconut. But if you are a coconut fanatic yourself and what to share your obsession with your dog, it would be a fine addition to their usual dog treats, if you find a great way to feed coconut to your pets.
But remember that moderation is key and that the best choice would be to give your dog only small doses of coconut meat or raw coconut. To some coconut products dogs could react more sensitively, and they could even lead to stomach upset. Especially if they have added preservatives. So stick to the natural thing to keep your dog’s stomach in good condition. In addition to that, we would always suggest talking to your pet’s vet before introducing new food to his diet.