Can Dogs eat Coconut?
Personally many dog owners like to eat coconut and have a clear idea regarding the benefits it can provide in its different forms. Among health enthusiasts, coconut is a sweeping trend and many dog owners share their coconut with the dogs.
Dogs belong to the category of omnivores like they can easily digest a wide range of food products, varying from fiber-rich veggies to protein-enriched red meats.
In reality, they are anatomically equipped to digest some foods doesn’t actually mean they should eat them. Mostly a well-balanced diet of premium quality dry food will be the best option. You must have a clear idea regarding the dietary requirements of your pooch and what should be given to them and what should be avoided and which items should be given as an occasional treat?
So, now the question is can dogs eat coconut? The answer might not be as simple as you might think because coconut comes in many shapes and forms?
So let’s discuss about the question that can dogs eat coconut?
Is coconut safe for your dog to eat?
Yes, coconut is safe to eat but in moderation. Coconut is enriched with nutrients, good fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates to provide fuel to your dog and enhance immunity.
Coconut does have some medium-chain triglycerides, which are good for your dog but also affect the digestive system or cause bloating to your dog.
Make sure to start with small amounts and keep an eye on your dog to ensure that it does not cause stomach problems.
What are the benefits of eating coconut?
The addition of coconut to your dog’s diet possesses several health benefits.
- Strengthens the immunity: Coconut has lauric acid, which fights against yeast infections, viruses, Giardia, and ringworm. Coconut also has a large number of antioxidants that help the body fight against parasites, fungi, and bacteria.
- Reduces Inflammation: Coconut has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and speed the process of healing around wounds, cuts, and hot spots. It also helps to alleviate joint pain caused by arthritis.
- Improves Coat and Skin: Fatty acid supports the health of the coat and the antioxidants help relieve dry and itchy skin. Coconut oil is a great topical moisturizer that can improve the health of a dog’s coat.
When is coconut bad for dogs?
Coconut is not poisonous, however, it has medium-chain triglycerides that cause bloating and gastric upset. The dog can experience unpleasant GI (gastrointestinal issues) like constipation and diarrhea.
The shell of the coconut is hard and difficult to chew and causes choking or intestinal blockage. The hairy texture can also affect the bowel movement of the pup as the fiber accumulates in the intestine, so make sure to avoid giving coconut shells when giving coconut as a treat.
Instead, stick to fresh and ripe meat. If a dog consumes coconut and shows symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and upset stomach, stop feeding it and make a visit to your vet.
Make sure to visit your vet before introducing anything new to their meal.
How to feed your dog coconut safely?
As long as you follow these instructions, you can feed your pooch coconut meat.
- As the added sugar is not healthy for your dog so avoid giving sweetened coconut to your dog.
- Ensure to remove the shell and the husk as they can cause blockage and choking problems.
- Always try to start with a minimum percentage. For small dogs, it should be almost a quarter teaspoon and for larger one teaspoon is enough. After showing the tolerance ability for coconut, you can further increase the amount.
- As it is high-calories so feed your dog small amounts and you don’t want to increase the suggested 10% of daily caloric intake for treats and supplements.
Symptoms of stomach issues:
Watch for signs of bloating or stomach pain after feeding your dog. Your dogs may have these symptoms if you have fed a large quantity.
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Greasy stools
- Diarrhea
You should consult with your vet if you observe any of these symptoms and call your vet to avoid bigger issues.
Do Dogs Like the Taste of Coconut?
Most dogs like the taste of coconut, so adding coconut into your dog’s meal should be easy for most of the owners. Coconut is a delicious and healthy snack that most dogs love to eat. But be vigilant not to overdose on it. To get the benefits, your dog only needs almost one teaspoon on daily basis.
Feeding your dog coconut oil
Using coconut oil topically on a dog’s coat and skin can aid in dry or inflamed skin, ASPCA does not suggest feeding coconut oil to your dog. Coconut oil causes digestive problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. It is an added fat your dog doesn’t require.
However, if you want to feed coconut oil to your dog, make sure it is non-hydrogenated. These oils raise the cholesterol levels of your dog as it has harmful trans-fat.
Is coconut shell poisonous to dogs?
Coconut shell is not toxic, however, it can be dangerous for choking and blockage issues. As the shell is jagged and tough, avoid ingestion of it. Make sure to remove the shell and husk before serving it to your dog.
Can Dogs eat all forms of coconut?
When you visit the store, there is a variety of coconut products that you can purchase. Some of these products have more nutrients as compared to others. Each of the products mentioned below is safe for consumption:
- Dried coconut (unsweetened)
- Coconut milk
- Coconut meat (unsweetened)
Why can’t dogs have coconut water?
The ASPCA suggests that you avoid giving coconut water to your dog as it contains a high amount of potassium. High levels cause hyperkalemia in dogs, affecting heart functioning.
Other ways to feed your dog coconut
Consider whipping up a homemade coconut treat for your pooch if you love getting in the kitchen.
The other ways to add coconut are:
- coconut oil pup-sicles
- Coconut, peanut butter, and honey biscuits
- Banana blueberry coconut smoothie
Conclusion
According to vets, the dog must be fed with well-balanced, high-quality dry dog food. For a dog to live a long and healthy life, dog food is served which contains complete and balanced nutrients. You can give small amounts of coconut as a supplement or treat for additional benefits. It helps to reduce inflammation, enhance immunity and improve their coat and skin.