Yes! Dogs CAN eat coconut, in moderation. You might have noticed that the question “Can dogs eat coconut” is sometimes difficult to answer. Many times, the answer seems unclear. That’s because though the general answer is yes, there are some important things to remember before starting to feed your dog coconut.
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Potential Problems
- First of all, too much coconut could cause an upset stomach. Make sure to start slow, and only feed coconut to your dog in moderation.
- Second, though the meat of the coconut is OK, you should avoid feeding dogs the shell. Coconut shell, though a fun toy for dogs, can cause intestinal problems if swallowed. While some owners give their dogs whole coconuts to play with, it is best to avoid this practice for the health problems coconut shells can cause.
Also Read: Feeding Probiotics to your Dog
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Oil?
Now, if you’re thinking, “Great, so coconut meat is OK to feed my dog, but can my dog eat coconut oil?” Once again, the answer is YES. In moderation, coconut oil is a great addition to your dog’s diet. You can choose between coconut, coconut oil, and even coconut water, as possible options to add to your dog’s diet. All of them have some great health benefits for your dog when used correctly.
With the growing popularity of coconut oil, coconut is becoming an increasingly popular treat for our canine friends. It’s best to understand everything you can about coconuts so that you know how to safely incorporate them into your dog’s diet.
An important thing to note is because coconuts contain medium chain triglycerides, coconut can cause intestinal irritation and bloating in some dogs. This is why it’s best to only give your dog coconut in moderation, and to start feeding it to them slowly while observing their reaction.
If you notice diarrhea or other symptoms of intestinal discomfort, stop immediately. Also, coconuts contain high amounts of saturated fat, so too much coconut or coconut oil could cause weight gain. As with any food, it’s important to talk to your vet about if it’s right for your particular dog.
And once again, make sure to avoid your dog swallows the little hairs on the shell, or the shell itself, as it can lead to intestinal problems in your pup.
Also Read: Why I feed goat’s milk to my dog
With these precautions in mind, you are ready to give coconut a try and see if it will become your dog’s new favorite treat!
Benefits For Your Dog
- Helps to boost your dog’s immune system
- Protects your dog from infections and diseases
- Helps in the development of red blood cells in your dog’s body
- Gives your dog’s fur coat a glossy, smooth and healthy sheen
- If you think your dog tends to have an odor, it can help improve that.
- Helps to maintain insulin and thyroid levels by regulating them
- Use it on any cuts, bites or wounds on your dog. It helps with healing!
- If your dog suffers from arthritis or ligament issues, this will help.
- Helps with bad breath for your dog
- Reduces issues of fleas and any allergies
- Helps with skin conditions
- Helps to fight bacteria
- Improves your dog’s health to fight viruses
When done correctly, coconut can be a great addition to your dog’s diet. Coconut is an amazing food with a variety of helpful properties. Coconut can help keep your dog nice and healthy by fighting viruses, protecting from infections, preventing diabetes, aiding with arthritis problems, and improving their overall immune system. Coconut can even help heal cuts and wounds!
Coconut is also a great way to improve the hygiene of your dog. Coconut improves odors, reduces bad breath, and keeps their coat nice and shiny- great news for you and your family!
In fact, those multiple chain triglycerides we mentioned above, that can cause an upset stomach if consumed too much, are actually what makes coconut such a great tool for your dog’s health. Multiple Chain Triglycerides, or MCT’s for short, provide countless health benefits for dogs.
MTC’s help with immune system support and help regulate your dog’s metabolism. The Lauric Acid found in MCT’s is also an anti-fungal and anti-viral, which explains why coconuts are such a great defender of diseases. In short, coconut is a bit of a super food.
Even though it is a saturated fat, when it is consumed in moderation, it can actually lead to canine weight loss and an increase in energy! For all of these reasons, it is worth it to give coconut a chance and give your dog a chance to reap the benefits of this superfood.
How Much Coconut Oil To Give My Dog?
Not everyone is able to go to the store and buy a whole coconut, so what about coconut oil? Coconut oil is a popular and healthy treat for your dog. Many people feed their dogs coconut oil because it is easy to add to your dog’s food bowl or spread onto a dog treat.
You can add it to their dry food, mix it with wet food, even stick some on a spoon and pass it to them as a reward. Coconut oil has the same health benefits as coconut meat and can improve your dog’s hygiene and overall health. However, as with coconut meat, it’s best to start off slow to make sure your dog’s stomach can handle the new food.
It is recommended to begin by giving your dog ¼-1 teaspoon a day based on their size. Small dogs and puppies should get no more than ¼ teaspoon a day. Then watch and see how your dog reacts. If they react well, with no diarrhea or upset stomach, you can gradually move up the amount.
Once again, make sure to go slow and steady, and never exceed 1 tablespoon per 30 pounds. The smaller the dog, the less they need!
Can Dogs Drink Coconut Water?
As you can see, once you know the facts, coconut oil can be a great option for a new and healthy dog treat. Coconut meat, coconut oil, and coconut water are all great options to give your dog access to this super food.
No matter your dog’s age, you might want to consider including a small amount of coconut in their daily diet to protect against diseases, improve their metabolism, and improve hygiene. But remember, never feed your dog the shell of a coconut, and start slowly and watch for any bad reactions to the new food.
As with everything, moderation is key, so never feed your dog more than he or she can handle.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Flour?
I think we can agree that coconut is a super food for dogs! Some of us tend to use coconut flour in our baking and when we’re making dog treats. Is it safe? Coconut flour is actually really healthy both for ourselves and our pets. It has a lot of nutrients (hence, the lesser usage when we cook with it) and has a low glycemic index (GI).
Compared to other types of flour, coconut flour has more protein without the not-so-beneficial gluten. In summary, dogs and coconut flour definitely get along well. Just remember to test in small amounts and observe your dog’s reaction to it first.
Coconut Treats For Dogs
Try making some yummy dog treats at home with coconut. These are some quick and easy recipes for you to try at home.
I particularly enjoy making these treats at home with my daughter – it’s also a quick and easy way of adding in a little dose of coconut oil for our pets each day.
Ingredients:
- Water – 1 to 2 tablespoons. You can add more or less according to your dog’s preference for the texture.
- Coconut Flour – 1/2 cup
- Coconut Oil – 1/2 cup
- Egg – 1
- Sweet Potatoes – Cook and cool them. You will need 2.
Instructions:
- Get your oven ready. Preheat to 300 degrees.
- This part is simple. Just add all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix well. You can choose to add more coconut flour if you want. It’s really up to your preference.
- With the mixture, make balls that are about 1-inch each and then use your palm to flatten.
- Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. They should look a little brown on the edges.
- Take out from the oven and let them cool.
- Put in an air-tight container in the fridge. This can last you a few weeks. Or if you want, simply freeze it to last longer.