Can Dogs Eat Coconut?

Dogs are able to digest a range of foods from red meat to vegetables. While they are able to digest a lot of different foods, it doesn’t mean that they should eat them all. Some food that seems pretty innocent may turn out to be toxic for your pup, or at the very least, make him pretty sick. Can dogs eat coconut? We’ll discuss the full story in this article

Typically, dogs will do well on a diet that is well-balanced. The best dog food is usually the right way to go, just make sure you choose a brand that is designed specifically to meet your dog’s individual caloric intake and nutritional needs. That way you won’t have to supplement his diet.

Remember, just because he is eating well, it doesn’t mean he won’t like treats and some human food now and then. Many pet parents have started making their own dog food or buying pre-made meals and treats. Dog food delivery has become quite popular in the wake of 2020. If you are interested in going one of these routes, it’s important to know what foods are safe for your pup, even though you may not feed these treats to your dog regularly.  

As far as plant-based foods, there is a lot of healthy and tasty options that could upset your dog’s stomach and even cause him some harm. Fortunately, coconut is one of those tasty treats that are safe for your dog to eat and will also benefit him. Coconut can also be fed to your dog in different ways. Here are some tips and info on a coconut that will help you safely feed coconut to your dog in some fun and creative ways.

Can a Dog Eat Coconut?

Absolutely! You won’t find coconut on the list of foods dogs can’t eat, you just need to serve it correctly and in moderation. But, what exactly does that mean? First, never give a dog coconut that is still in a shell since this can be dangerous for the dog in the event that he eats parts of the coconut shell causing intestinal obstruction.  

The meat, however, is safe for a dog to eat. You can feed coconut to your dog dried, raw, or as coconut flakes. Just remember not to give him too much. While coconut is safe for him to eat, we’re only talking about a spoonful in a treat and not a large amount loaded up on top of his dried food every day.

Remember that there are medium-chain triglycerides in coconut, which isn’t poisonous for a dog, it can irritate his gastrointestinal tract, particularly if your dog has a sensitive stomach, and cause bloating and stomach aches.

Can a Dog Consume Coconut Water and Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is pretty trendy and has been promoted as a cure for bacterial and fungal infections as well as bad hair. The benefits of coconut oil haven’t been proven yet for humans, but have they discovered if it benefits dogs? Well, we at least know it’s safe, your dog can eat it as long as you don’t give him too much. Remember that oil can be fattening, no matter what its health benefits.

While there aren’t any actual scientific studies to prove its benefits, we do know that coconut oil is very dog-friendly, which means your dog can eat it in moderation. Many animal nutritionists and holistic veterinarians tout the positive effects of coconut oil when added to a dog’s diet that includes improving your dog’s coat and skin. Just remember that too much can irritate your dog’s stomach lining causing them to have cramping, diarrhea, and loose stool.

Coconut oil may also increase the toxicity and amount of lipopolysaccharide or LPSj, which is an endotoxin that can cause inflammation and immune response in your dog. But, on the other hand, coconut can also help stop inflammation. It just depends on how your dog reacts to it.  

And then there is coconut water, which is also safe for your dog to drink. This exotic beverage is 100 percent pure and natural making it safe for your dog. However, make sure you check the coconut water you buy in the store to see if anything else has been added to it before your serve it to your dog. Remember that some additives and preservatives as well as sugar can be dangerous for your dog.

How can you give a dog coconut?

Start slowly

When you begin to add coconut oil to your dog’s diet, you will want to do it slowly and increase the amount of coconut oil gradually. When you give coconut oil to your dog, it can cause detox and digestive issues.

Since coconut oil can kill fungi, yeasts, parasites, viruses, and bacteria, your dog can respond negatively to the detox features when consuming coconut oil. The signs of detoxing too quickly can include diarrhea, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and lethargy.

When a large amount of coconut oil is fed to a dog, it can cause greasy stools or diarrhea as his body starts to adjust to the diet change. Make sure to start with a small amount, like a ¼ teaspoon each day for a puppy or small dogs and one teaspoon for a large dog. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you will just want to add a little dab. 

If your dog is uncomfortable, tired, or has diarrhea, then you should cut back on how much you are giving him for the time being. Then, you can increase the amount gradually every couple of days. You may also want to add coconut oil in small amounts in doses that are divided up throughout the day.  

Remember that it is best to give your dog coconut oil along with food. Liquid or solid coconut oil can be added to your dog’s food at any mealtime with solid coconut oil easily and quickly melted in some hot water.

Guidelines for Feeding

Your basic guideline for feeding coconut to a dog is one teaspoon per 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight each day or approximately one tablespoon per 30 pounds. Keep in mind, these are not the amounts that you want to start out with. If you happen to cook your dog his own food, adding coconut oil is a great way to enhance your recipe. Most dogs like coconut, so you shouldn’t have any issues feeding it to them.  

It’s possible to buy coconut raw, dried, shredded, or in flakes. Remember that any sweetened coconut should never be given to a dog. Also, do not feed your dog baked goods with coconut in them since they can contain Xylitol, which is an ingredient that can be fatal to a dog. Another form of coconut that can affect your dog negatively is dried coconut dues to the added preservatives and sugar in it. Always look for an unsweetened form of coconut and only feed it to your dog in moderation. Even though it is non-toxic, it can cause bloating and an upset stomach, which can be uncomfortable and painful.

You will notice that coconut oil made from different brands will have a range of tastes from a strong coconut taste to a buttery flavor while others are pretty bland. It just takes a little experimenting to find what your pet likes the best.  

Coconut Oil for Treatment of Skin Issues

Coconut Oil can be applied topically to treat dry skin, wounds, and rashes. If your dog tries to lick it off, then you will want to wrap the skin with a towel or rag, which will allow the coconut oil to soak before your dog has an opportunity to lick it off.

More Ways to Add Coconut to a Dog’s Diet

Here are a few fun treats made with coconut that your dog will love!

Coconut oil popsicles – Use a ½ a cup of solid coconut oil along with a handful of frozen fruit that your dog likes. Divide up the portions into ice cube trays and freeze. As you create the portions, remember to follow the above coconut oil feeding guidelines. 

Coconut, peanut butter, and honey biscuits – Heat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and combine one cup of water, one egg, a ½ of a cup of coconut flour, and 1 1/2 cups of peanut butter along with two tablespoons of baking powder, one tablespoon of honey, and ½ cup of melted coconut oil. Roll the dough out on the cutting board and create fun-shaped biscuits for your pup. Bake them for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are set.

Coconut, banana, and blueberry smoothie – Blend together one cup of ice, one tablespoon of peanut butter, one tablespoon of coconut oil, one cup of blueberry, and one banana. When serving a smaller dog, make sure you portion the smoothie out accordingly and refrigerate the rest. 

Tips When Giving a Dog Coconut Milk

Only give your dog organic coconut milk 

Believe us when we say it matters. You will find non-organic coconut milk uses pesticides that can be harmful to your dog. Look for the most natural coconut milk product that is available to you. If you can get an entire, organic coconut where you live, then that is the best choice for your coconut milk since it will not have been processed at all.

Don’t overfeed your dog coconut meat, milk, or water

Remember that saying, too much of a good thing is bad? Well, the same thing can be said about coconut and your dog. Both coconuts and coconut milk have a high-fat content, which can lead to pancreatitis and weight gain for a dog. Plus, coconut oil may irritate your dog’s stomach lining as well as increase his odds of developing a leaky gut. If you feel you have fed your dog too much coconut, take him to the veterinarian so he can be checked for pancreatitis.

Stop if feeding your dog coconut if his stomach becomes irritated

You will be able to tell if your dog has had too much coconut by how he acts. Look for signs like diarrhea, vomiting, or his refusal to drink coconut milk or water. Or, if offered coconut to eat, he pulls back. Just remember that it’s important not to upset his stomach more.

Do not give a dog the entire coconut

Remember never to give your dog the entire coconut. The husk is fiber, but not a good one for your dog. Also, think about your dog eating all that fat at one time. It will do terrible things to your dog’s stomach, so remember that moderation is key.