Coconut. This is perhaps one of the most refreshing fruits out there, due to its water content. It is especially popular, and available to populations residing in tropical areas.
It makes for a great beverage that does not require a glass nor any other container. A straw is enough, just pop it into the whole coconut (ensure it is ripe beforehand), and, voila! You can consume it straight from the fruit.
Coconut’s nutritional value to humans is significant. Yet, not all things that are nutritious to humans can be nutritious to dogs.
So a question a lot of us dog owners have is, “can dogs eat coconut?” In this article we will tell you whether dogs can safely eat coconut or not. We will also go more into this food and its effects on our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut?
The short answer is yes. Dogs can absolutely eat coconut. Coconut is a safe food for dogs.
The meat of a coconut is completely edible. It can be eaten raw, dried, or in flakes.
The oil and the water of coconut is also a beneficial drink. But it is best to choose natural coconut water over store-bought coconut water.
What are the Benefits to Dogs Consuming Coconut?
Coconut is a nutritious food for our furry pooches. It contains a number of benefits for them. It is rich in vitamins and minerals that can help boost our dogs’ health.
Coconut is also a fiber rich food. Fiber helps in speeding up digestion by weighting down and softening stool, in humans and dogs alike. Foods rich in fiber such as coconuts can help against bowel movement problems.
Coconut is also filled with medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are healthy fats. They provide long sustaining energy, and assist in lowering cholesterol, improving blood pressure, and reducing inflammation.
Aside from healthy fats, protein can also be found in coconut. Protein is an essential nutrient for dogs. This is thanks to its contribution in muscle development and tissue repair.
Coconuts are a good source of manganese. Manganese is a mineral that promotes metabolic functioning and good bone health.
Coconuts are also rich in certain anti-inflammatory effects. It contains lauric acid which is helpful for treating viruses, yeast infections, as well as decreasing inflammation.
Coconut, particularly coconut oil, can create a nice change in the softness and texture of your dog’s fur and skin. It helps in soothing irritated tissues too.
Health Precautions To Take When It Comes To Dogs and Coconut
However, not all the time or not all parts of coconut are healthy and good for dogs. Although coconut is not a toxic food, feeding them too much can be harmful.
Although the MCTs found in the coconut meat are beneficial to dogs, overfeeding them causes issues. It can irritate the GI tract of your dog, especially if its stomach is sensitive. This can lead to stomach ache and bloating.
Another thing to watch out for are the coconut shells. Coconut shells are nearly impossible to chew and can cause choking or intestinal blockage.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
In the next article in the series learn can dogs eat cream cheese.
