Can Dogs Have Coconut? Surprisingly Simple
Answers!
When
someone asked me the question “Can dogs have coconut?”
(http://www.akc.org/content/health/articles/can-dogs-eat-coconut/)
the other day, I must admit that I hadn't ever really considered it. As the
owner or three dogs, I have come across at least
one of them chewing on a coconut some time or
the other, but never really gave it much thought.
Before we venture into a discussion on
the question can dogs have coconut
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=cthz-l_3ILs) or not, we should first go into the digestive
and nutritional facts about the digestion of these canines. Every dog owner
would like the best for their mutt, and we would want to avoid our furry
friends eating something that could be toxic or to which they could be
allergic.
Nutritional Facts About Dogs
Here is some information about the
dietary aspect dogs, their digestion and what we
require for them to follow a balanced diet:
Dogs
have a surprisingly robust metabolism. You may not intentionally give them a
particular substance to eat, but being naturally curious animals, they tend to
stick their nose into the strangest places and sometimes end up ingesting
something that is harmful to them. There are lists of things that dogs should or should not eat.
If you look at a list
of stuff that is good or bad for your dog,
(http://hounddogsdrule.com/k9-classroom/dangerous-foods-toxic-substances/),
you will see foods and substances graded as "safe,"
"moderate" or "toxic." Usually, coconut
is tagged as “moderate” in such lists. It is good to be aware of this
information primarily if you feed your dog foods other than dog chow.
Can Dogs Have Coconut? The Downside
The only negative factor about the issue
of can dogs have coconut or not is the fact that
coconuts
contain a high-fat content, (https://www.vegetariantimes.com/health-and-nutrition/should-you-worry-about-saturated-fat-in-coconut)
so you would be well-advised to give it to them in moderation. Also, coconuts include triglycerides which can cause
intestinal discomfort and bloating of the stomach in dogs,
if they eat it in excess. So, moderation is the way to go here – perhaps half
to one coconut a week, depending on the size of
the dog.
Can Dogs have Coconut? The Benefits
Your dog can significantly benefit from
taking coconut. Here are a few of the benefits:
1.
Helps
Relieve Inflammation
Due to the high concentration of lauric
acid (https://www.livestrong.com/article/436023-lauric-acids-benefits-for-the-body/)
in coconut, it helps to provide relief from
inflammation. This fact means that any cuts or abrasions will heal faster as a
result of eating coconut.
2.
Improvement
to the Immune system
Coconut
has a high degree of antioxidants which boost up the immune system. This
antioxidant property improves the capacity of the body to fight harmful
microbes.
3.
Helps
Improve your Dog’s Skin and Coat
The benefits humans get while applying
coconut oil to the skin and hair
(https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/coconut-oil-uses/)
are well-known. The same applies to dogs. If used externally it is good, and if your dog
eats coconut, it will help to give luster to the
coat and keeps dry skin at bay. There will also be a reduced risk of yeast
infections, hot spots, and flea allergies.
4.
Removes
Odors
Eating coconuts
help to fight bad breath due to the anti-bacterial properties contained in coconuts. In the same way, dog odor or “doggy smell”
as we tend to call it gets minimized.
5.
Strong
Bones
Coconuts
contain a fair degree of manganese which is one of the elements that help to
build healthy bones, so this is another benefit of your dog having coconut.
6.
Creation
of Red Blood Cells
The copper content in coconuts helps in the manufacture of red blood cells
in the body. The presence of this element is one of the factors that contribute
to enhanced immunity of dogs who have coconut on a regular basis.
A
Word of Caution: Although coconut
is beneficial to dogs in so many ways as
described here, never allow your dog to munch on the coconut
shell. The shell of the coconut is hard, can
damage teeth and is not digestible, so can wreak havoc in your dog’s
intestines. Moreover, the fibers which are present in the coconut
shell can be very harmful to your dog
(https://www.justanswer.com/dog-health/7bt4o-dog-ate-raw-coconut-pieces-hard-shell.html)
if ingested.
So, the answer is to the question,” Can dogs have coconut?” is quite clear. Yes, they can
and it is not only safe for them, but it is even beneficial to them in several
ways, as we have seen. However, like all other food substances, coconut too should be given to dogs in moderation.
When it comes to the nutrition and diet
of your pooch, you need to monitor it carefully to ensure that she gets a
balanced and nutritious diet. Whenever in doubt, never hesitate to consult your
vet, who will be able to recommend the best diet for your dog based on the
breed and the quantity of food required, based on body weight.
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