Nutrition
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7 min
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Let’s get into more detail about whether dogs can eat coconut safely.
Coconut has some health benefits for dogs, however, it has a relatively high fat content in comparison to other fruits, so it should only be fed in moderation as a treat.
Here are some of the health benefits of a small portion of tasty coconut flesh!
Contains coconut oil - This can help improve a dog’s skin health, and make their coat shinier and softer. It can also reduce itchiness and dryness, and may also improve joint health.
Lauric acid benefits - As well as improving skin, lauric acid is a multi-chain fatty acid that also boosts the immune system, as it has antifungal and antiviral properties. This means it could fight off conditions like canine influenza.
High in fibre - The flesh of a coconut is rich in fibre which can help with a dog’s digestion and gut health, and firm up poops.
It’s ok for puppies to eat coconut flesh in small portions. But you shouldn’t feed them a lot of coconut, as it’s too high in fat to be healthy as an everyday snack. Also, be sure to cut the flesh into small pieces for their tiny puppy mouths.
To be safe, you should only serve coconut flesh to your pooch in bite-sized pieces. It can be unsafe to serve coconut in large quantities to your dog, or give it to them every day. It’s relatively high in calories so could lead to weight gain, or even in severe cases, pancreatitis.
Yes, dogs can be allergic to coconut. If they’ve never eaten it before, be sure to introduce coconut in small amounts and keep a look out for any of the following symptoms:
Dogs can become sick from eating coconut if they’ve eaten too much of it in one sitting, so only feed them a small amount. They can also become sick if they’re allergic to the coconut, or if the fruit is out of date or spoiled. Be sure the coconut flesh is as fresh as it can be, and only feed the soft pulp.
Yes - dogs can eat coconut safely as long as it’s the fresh pulp of a coconut and in small portions.
It has some health benefits, such as lauric acid and coconut oil, that can improve skin and coat health.
Don’t serve large amounts of daily coconut to your pooch as it could cause digestive issues and potential weight gain, as it’s high in calories. Also, don’t feed your dog dried coconut or desiccated coconut, as that’s loaded with sugar.
The amount of coconut your dog can safely eat will depend on their size, breed and age - but in general, a small amount of flesh is recommended. Don’t feed a small dog more than one tablespoon of coconut. For larger dogs, 2-3 tablespoons will suffice.
Coconut water is healthy in general, as it’s low in calories and high in electrolytes, as well as rich in potassium and vitamin C. For dogs, however, it’s best not to feed them coconut water regularly as it contains sugars which could upset their stomach. A few slurps every now and then as a treat should be fine.
As with many edible oils, coconut oil contains a lot of nutrients but is also very high in fat and could cause your dog to have diarrhoea. Be sure to feed your pooch coconut oil in small amounts to prevent this, as well curb weight gain or even conditions such as pancreatitis.
In small quantities however (a quarter teaspoon for small dogs, 1 teaspoon for bigger dogs), your dog can benefit from improved skin and coat health, boosted joint health, and fresher breath from a drizzle of coconut oil.
Yes - fresh coconut is the best, most nutritious way to serve coconut to a pooch. Be sure the coconut pulp is fresh and carved out of the coconut before being served in small pieces to your dog. Coconut served in this way can be a good source of nutrients including coconut oil (great for skin and coat), fibre (for digestion) and immunity-boosting lauric acid.
No. It’s not advised to feed ice cream to your pooch as it’s usually very high in sugar and fats. Most ice cream, even if it’s coconut flavoured, can cause health problems and digestive issues in a dog.
However, if you’ve made homemade ice cream with organic ingredients and low sugar, or a dairy-free ice cream with unsweetened coconut milk, that might be a safer option. Avoid all sweetened, high-sugar coconut products when it comes to giving your pooch a treat.
No - this might be a healthy(ish) treat for humans, but for dogs, dried coconut is simply way too high in sugar and calories. This could cause weight gain or digestive issues over time. Opt for the raw flesh of coconut if you’d like to get some coconut goodness into their diet.
Looking for something similar to coconut to feed your hungry pooch? Here are some healthy, tasty options!
Pumpkin - a nutritious, fibre-rich fruit that dogs love the taste of. You can serve it fresh on its own or as part of a delicious grain-free dog food.
Watermelon - A sweet treat that’s great for hydration, watermelon is another nutritious snack to feed your dog in moderation.
Blueberries - Rich in antioxidants, blueberries are a tasty, juicy dog treat.
If you’re looking for healthy treats and foods for your dog, our healthy dog treats are packed full of nutritious ingredients to satisfy your pooch in both body and mind.
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