Dogs can eat coconut meat. However, coconut meat should be given in moderation and gradually incorporated into the diet. The dog should not be fed the shell of a fresh coconut (with a whole coconut in it) as this could cause a blockage.
A well balanced diet is an essential aspect of a dog’s health, but what might this consist of? Dog owners should find dry kibble containing balanced nutrients, but may also supplement some of their dog’s caloric intake for something else, like wet food, treats, rice, meat, or produce.
There are pros and cons to anything you feed your dog, including coconut meat. All factors should be considered when making dietary decisions for your pup.
What You'll Learn
What is Coconut Meat?
Before feeding something to your dog, you should have a deeper understanding of what it is outside of just identifying it (e.g., Coconut meat is coconut, but what is it and what does it do?).
Coconut meat is white and is considered the seed of a palm, which grows in tropical areas. Aside from being a seed, botanists also consider it a fruit or a nut, based on loose definitions.
Coconut meat is high in fat and other micronutrients, but does not contain much coconut oil. One cup of shredded fresh coconut meat equates to approximately 283 calories, 3 grams of protein, 10 grams of carbs, 27 grams of fat, 5 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fiber, and various vitamins and minerals (e.g., manganese, copper, and others).
This food is considered to be high in calories per serving, but is also nutrient-dense (i.e., a high amount of vitamins and minerals).
Different Forms of Coconut Meat
There are many forms of coconut meat, including dried cubes or flakes, prepared fresh coconut (cubed or shredded), or the whole coconut (to be prepared at home).
These can all be found in the grocery store and are marketed as “human food”. Fresh items can be found in the produce section, whereas dried items are usually found in the baking section.
Keep in mind there are sweetened and unsweetened options available, but dogs don’t need added sugar, so unsweetened is the way to go.
Dried coconut meat is easier to store, but it is important to know the difference between dried and fresh coconut.
Dried coconut meat is fresh coconut that has been dried or dehydrated, which causes it to be very concentrated, has low moisture content, and has the highest total fat (including saturated fat) content.
For example, a cup of dried coconut may have 33 grams of fat and approximately 350 total calories.
Can Dogs Eat Coconut Meat?
Dog owners need to distinguish what dogs can and cannot eat, including what forms they can eat it in.
For example, some foods may be best cooked versus raw because of their components and how they are digested. Other foods may be toxic, poisonous, or dangerous for dogs to consume.
Simply put, dogs can consume coconut meat. This is because coconut meat is not considered poisonous or toxic to dogs and can be digested without significant consequences.
Like coconut oil, coconut meat has nutritional benefits that dogs can significantly benefit from. However, as with any food, coconut meat should be given in moderation and safely worked into the diet.
For those that use fresh whole coconut (with the shell), it is important to remember that the shell should not be given to the dog. The water and flesh are okay, but the shell could cause blockages or intestinal injury.
Properly Feeding Your Dog Coconut Meat
Although coconut meat is nutrient dense and can improve a dog’s overall health, including lowering the potential of skin issues, it should be given in moderation.
As far as what type or form of coconut to give, fresh coconut is considered “best” because it is in its purest form, without additives.
However, other forms of coconut could be comparable and easier to access. In any case, nutritional information should be considered when incorporating coconut meat into the dog’s diet to avoid additional calories that could lead to unwanted weight gain.
Some pet companies have even introduced coconut treats that provide coconut without additives or mixed with other healthy food items such as fruits, veggies, and grains.
A coconut treat mixed with other healthy items will likely have smaller amounts of coconut than if it were pure meat. This might be a better option for those that want the benefits of coconut but are afraid of over-feeding their dog.
Providing a treat with other components could also help provide a more balanced diet, including appropriate levels of calories, fat, vitamins, and other nutrients.
How Will Eating Coconut Meat Affect Dogs?
Just because something is considered “safe” to eat, doesn’t mean all dogs will respond the same to it. This holds true for coconut meat.
However, MOST dogs will experience the same effects from eating coconut meat. Here are a few of the benefits and potential consequences of consuming coconut meat.
Benefits of Coconut Meat
Coconut meat has a variety of nutrients, including important vitamins and minerals that are often neglected in a dog’s diet.
Specific nutrients in coconut meat include lauric acid and antioxidants. Lauric acid, as well as other components of coconut, can have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help decrease inflammation that could cause arthritis, skin irritations (e.g., rash, hot spots, dry skin, etc.), allergies, and/or yeast infections (e.g., ringworm and giardia).
Antioxidants help boost the immune systems, which help fight against harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
Potential Consequences of Coconut Meat
Dogs have a fairly sensitive stomach and don’t respond well to big changes in their diet. If you’re going to introduce coconut meat into your dogs diet, be sure to do it slowly.
The potential consequences of ingesting coconut meat will vary depending on the dog or how much is consumed.
Coconut meat contains a high amount of calories, which could result in weight gain. It all depends on how active the dog is or how much they are being fed.
Coconut meat also contains a high amount of saturated fat, equating to approximately 89% of the total fat. If a dog becomes overweight, it will affect their quality of life (and health).
Finally, coconut meat contains medium-chain triglycerides, which can be absorbed whole by the small intestine and help produce energy, but too much may cause gastrointestinal upset and/or bloating.
Coconut Meat – The Final Verdict
Many non-toxic foods can be added to a dog’s diet that provide nutritional and health benefits. Coconut meat is an option that can be given as a treat (separate from meals) or added to meals so dogs can experience these benefits.
It is important to note, as with many things, that too much is not always a good thing. Dog owners should give coconut meat to their pups in moderation to avoid the potential consequences of weight gain or gastrointestinal upset and/or bloating.
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