Wondering if your dog can eat coconut?
Or coconut oil?
(Or any other coconut-related products…)
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, you’ll find the answers to your coconut-related questions…
Let’s get straight to it.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut?
Yes. Coconut is non-toxic to dogs, and it shouldn’t cause any adverse effects if it’s served in moderation.
Is It Safe for Dogs To Eat Coconut?
Generally speaking, it’s safe for your dog to eat coconut in moderation.
However, it does contain a lot of medium-chain triglycerides, which could possibly cause some digestive upset if they consume too much.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Meat?
Yep. The coconut meat is perfectly healthy for dogs to eat.
In fact, it contains plenty of lauric acid, which can help boost your dog’s ability to fight off viruses like influenza, according to the American Kennel Club.
As well as help to treat yeast infections, ringworm, and Giardia.
How Much Coconut Can I Give My Dog?
Like any new food for your dog… it’s wise to serve only a small amount at first, and see how your dog reacts to it.
Giving your dog too much coconut oil could also lead to diarrhea, according to PetMD.
When Is Coconut Bad for Dogs?
The high fat content could be bad if your dog has pancreatitis (or they’re prone to the condition.)
Does Coconut Help Dog’s Skin?
Coconut oil is frequently used by people for it’s skin moisturizing abilities… but does this apply to dogs as well?
According to The Spruce Pets, applying some coconut oil can help your dog’s skin, particularly in the winter months when your dog’s more likely to suffer from dry, flaky skin.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil, in small amounts, may have several benefits to offer your dog.
There’s an interesting study that found that coconut oil hydrates the dry, itchy skin of xerosis sufferers (although this study was on humans, not dogs!)
It’s also possible that coconut oil may benefit your dog’s coat health. Another study found that lauric acid (a key fatty acid in coconut oil) has a special ability to penetrate hair shafts.
So, it may help to boost your dog’s fur health as well.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Oil Everyday?
There can be side effects if your dog has too much coconut oil, according to the American Kennel Club.
These side effects include diarrhea and greasy stools.
As such, it’s best to start with only very small amounts and see how your dog responds. In particular, you’ll want to watch your dog’s skin, coat, and energy levels.
If you’re using coconut oil topically, you can apply it once a week (and give it a few minutes to fully absorb into the skin and coat for best results.)
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Milk?
Many coconut milk products contain extra additives that may not be healthy for your dog.
As such, it’s best to avoid those products.
Instead, you may like to try coconut water or coconut oil, which can easily be added to your dog’s regular meals as needed.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Flour?
Coconut flour has very little processing, and it can be a healthier alternative to other types of flour you may be using in home-baked dog treats.
It’s gluten and wheat-free, rich in fiber, and contains the same healthy fats as coconut meat.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Ice Cream?
Ice cream can be risky for dogs… as most ice cream products contain additives that aren’t good for them.
But if you’re using a homemade ice cream recipe that’s specifically designed for dogs, then using coconut as part of that should be fine.
For example, blending chopped bananas and raw, shredded coconut with a dash of honey can make a tasty, frozen treat for your dog that they’ll enjoy.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Yogurt?
Yogurt isn’t particularly toxic to dogs, but it does contain a lot of lactose… which means many dogs will struggle to digest it properly. Ultimately, this could lead to digestive upset and diarrhea.
It’s very important to make sure the yogurt doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners (such as xylitol) which is very toxic to dogs.
While yogurt offers plenty of protein, calcium, and probiotics… it isn’t a good choice for a dog due to the lactose issue… regardless of whether it’s coconut flavored or not.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Flakes?
Just like most other coconut-based products, your dog shouldn’t have any problem with coconut flakes.
It’s best to start with small quantities, and definitely make sure there’s no artificial additives or sweeteners in the product.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Coconut?
If the dried coconut only contains coconut meat, then there shouldn’t be much difference.
However, you should carefully check the label to see if any sweeteners or artificial additives have been included. If so, it won’t be a good match for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Desiccated Coconut?
Desiccated and shredded coconut is essentially the same thing, with the only real difference being the texture.
It tends to be finer than shredded products, and it can make it easier to include in your dog’s food (if that’s your plan.)
Again, make sure there are no unwanted additives included in the product.
